HIS TO It Y OF MALTA.

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were both fertile and populous; but the council rejected thisoffer, and their deputies induced the emperor to approve their de-termination.

The prizes continually taken by the Maltese greatly enrichedthe order; and at the same time the grand-master added newfortifications to Fort St. Elmo, to the Burgh, and, above all, toFort St. Michael. This point of land advanced into the sea, wasopen on all sides, and had only a very small castle to defend it.La Sangle ordered the side of the castle opposite to Coradin tobe enclosed with thick walls, which were fortified with bulwarks andbastions; to which were added, in different places, necessary flanks.Sea-water was also let into the ditches. The whole of these fortifi-cations were entirely at the expense of La Sangle: the knights,therefore, to show their gratitude for such noble disinterestednessand such repeated favours, changed the name of this peninsula,which was formerly called Fort St. Michael, to that of Isle laSangle, by which title it has ever since been distinguished.

Malta, through the generous attention paid by the grand-master to its interests, and by the bravery of the knights, becameevery day more flourishing; but, on the 23d of September, thisstate of prosperity was greatly diminished by a very unforeseenevent. At seven o’clock in the evening a most dreadful storm arosein the port, of the kind to which seamen give the name of water-spout, and which the modern Greeks call syphen. This tempestwas occasioned by violent and contrary winds. The waves swelledto an enormous height. Many vessels were sunk, and some thrown

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