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12 HISTORY OP MALTA.

experience perfected them in the business; and the Maltesebecame, indeed still are, the ablest corsairs in the Medi-terranean.

Some golden medals remain as monuments of the abode ofthe Arabs in Malta, two of which are in the marquis Barbara’scabinet of curiosities. There is likewise a large sepulchral stonewith Arabian characters, in the possession of baron Xara.

The Arabs reduced the circumference of the city Notable,to enable them to fortify it more easily; and built a fort, wherethe castle St. Angelo now stands, to guard their vessels onentering the great port.

The Normans took possession of Malta in 1090, and per-mitted those Arabs who chose to quit the island to carry awaythe whole of their property. Those who remained were allowedthe free exercise of their religion, on condition of paying anannual tribute to the prince : they also insisted that all Christianslaves captured at sea should be restored to liberty: after whichcount Roger (PI. Ill, fig. 5) returned to Sicily. Some Arabswho had taken refuge on an eminence called Kalua la Bahria,so fortified by nature that it was impossible to approach itbut through a defile, attempted to surprize the chiefs of theisland whilst at divine service on a holiday; but they failedin their enterprize, and every Arab was soon afterwards sentout of Malta. The Normans gave up the island to theGermans, on account of the marriage between Constance heiressof Sicily and Henry VI. son of the emperor Frederick Barba-