A reply to the article on the Maltese nobility published in "Vanity Fair" of the 4th July 1885

Abstract

To the Editor of '' Vanity Fair ".

(*) On my recent return from abroad, I read the unjust imputations brought against the MALTESE NOBILITY in Vanity Fair of the 4th. July last. In reply, I now publish the following extract of an article, communicated by me in 1867 to the Corriere Mercantile Maltese, which was not and cannot be confuted as I based it on purely historical facts; facts which are totally ignored by the contributor of the article under consideration. The ignorance of the writer about Malta is so great, that he even ventured so far as to commit the unpardonable error of saying that in this Island there exists a village without a church and without a priest ! Ab uno disce omnes. Azopardi. 7, Strada Reale-Malta, 25th. August 1885. (*) Translation from the Italian.

And now in reply to the article, I begin by asking, what harm has the Maltese Nobility ever done? Do they sin, perhaps, because they live without applying for a situation, which they leave to others ? Perhaps because their ancestors, accumulating for their successors, lightened a burden to society ? Perhaps because when the Government invited the nobles to assist it under any circumstances, they have always served their country honorably, though gratuitously? Perhaps because, being independent they have not, when required, demanded the rights of the people both from the local government, and from that of the mother country ? Speaking in general, however, I shall observe that the Nobility of every country, however small, has been and will always be regarded as a respectable and influential body, possessing a large portion of its territory, and consequently independent, and interested in the public welfare, exercising a moral influence over the whole country, and especially on the agricultural class. Being landowners and qualified to fill any office of great responsibility, they form, as it were, the link that binds the rural class to the Government... [Excerpt]