Aspects of Maltese family life in the first half of the seventeenth century (with special reference to the Parish of Porto Salvo)

Abstract

When Thomas Babington Macaulay wrote about History and Literature he said, "The effects of historical reading is analogous in many respects to that produced by foreign travel. The student like the tourist is transported into a new state of society. But man may travel far and return with minds as contracted as if they had never stirred from their market-town. Most people look at past times as princes look at foreign countries. More than one illustious stranger has landed on our island amidst the shouts of R mob, has dined with the king, has hunted with the master of the staghound, has seen the guards reviewed, and a knight of the garter installed, has cantered along Regent Street, has visited St Paul's and noted down its dimensions and has then departed, thinking that he has seen England. He has, in fact, seen a few public buildings, public men and public ceremonies. But of the vast and complex system of society, of the vast shades of national character, of the practical operation of government and laws, he knows nothing. He who would understand these things rightly must not confine his observations to palaces and solemn days. He must see ordinary men as they appear in their ordinary business and ln their ordinary pleasures. He must mingle in the crowds of the exchange and the coffee house. He must obtain admittance to the convivial table and the domestic hearth. He must bear with vulgar expressions. He must not shrink from exploring even the retreats of misery."