"Of the other _agrémens_ of the lazaretto there remains nothing to notice, if I except the numerous boats which are continually coming and going across the harbour, often laden with females, who, in their black mantillas, with sparkling black eyes, and hair _à la Madonna_, resemble Spanish women.
"The expense of living in the Malta lazaretto is about eleven shillings _per diem_, as thus:--
s. d. Breakfast 1 8 Dinner 3 0 A bottle of Marsala 1 3 Hire of Furniture 0 8 Servants' Wages (including diet) 2 3 The Guardian (ditto) 1 10 -------- 10 8
"This can be increased, if necessary, by a more abundant dinner, tea, or coffee in the evening, spirituous liquors, and a greater quantity of furniture; but it cannot be diminished. Washing costs about one shilling per dozen pieces, and sevenpence _per diem_ for the diet of the _blanchisseuse_, who must come into the lazaretto to perform her functions. A capital circulating library keeps the incarcerated well supplied with books (at one penny per volume per day), and _Galignani's Messenger_, and the Maltese papers can also be had on application to Mr. Mure's establishment."
Emerging from the lazaretto, the traveller is recommended to pass a few days in inspecting the town and the surrounding country (_vide_ page 11), and then to repack his luggage, dispatching such as he may not require on his homeward trip direct from Malta, consigned to the care of his agent in London, with instructions as to the disposal of the same.
Those travellers who prefer visiting France _viâ_ Marseilles, will find the lazaretto there, comparatively speaking, a sort of purgatory. We subjoin the regulations as published by the French authorities:--
ART. 1. French Post-office Packets.--19 days after debarking effects and passengers.
Passengers by these boats and their baggage.--17 days after landing at the lazaret; 14 days only when the baggage shall have been _plombé_ at the consulate of France at the port of embarking, and that this operation be legally certified.
ART. 2. French or foreign men-of-war.--17 days after the landing of passengers and their baggage.
Passengers on board these vessels.--17 days without _spoglio_, 14 days with _spoglio_.
ART. 4. Every other description of sailing-vessel or steam-boat.--21 days after landing suspected articles.