An American traveller in Gozo : Maturin Murray Ballou

Abstract

Nineteenth century travel accounts of the Mediterranean area frequently make mention of Malta, but the sister island of Gozo is often neglected. For this reason the report which follows concerning Gozo, written by a nineteenth century American traveller and journalist, may be of some interest. Matuin Murray Ballou (1820-1895) was a native of Boston, Mas- sachusetts, the son of a clergyman. Maturin received college preparatory training in the Boston high school and passed his entrance examinations for Harvard University, but then decided not to continue his formal education. He worked for several years in the Boston Post Office and also in the Boston Custom House. He became interested in journalism and served as the first editor and manager of the Boston Daily Globe Quring the years 1872-1874. His work in journalism led to an interest in foreign travel. He made many cruises and journeys concerning which he wrote letters home descriptive of the geographical features of the places which he had visited. Much of the material was later embodied in his books and various periodical publishings.