the yacht minutely and looking at all the pets.  He took a great interest in our voyage and courses, as well as in the numerous curiosities, knowing at once from what place each had been procured.  The Duke, who had taken very nearly the same cruise himself in the ‘Galatea’ a few years ago, inquired very kindly after all his old friends at Tahiti, Hilo, Honolulu, and many other places.  The Duke is very kind to everybody here.  He is much liked by his brother officers in the squadron, and both H.R.H. and the Duchess seem to have made themselves most popular here during the winter.  The officers of the ‘Sultan,’ several of whom are old friends of ours, appear to think themselves fortunate indeed in having such a commanding officer, whilst on shore his approaching departure is universally regretted.  Everybody seems full of their Royal Highnesses’ winter ball, which must have been a most brilliant affair.

[Illustration:  Armoury in the Governor’s Palace, Valetta]

After the Duke’s departure we went ashore again, called on various friends before luncheon, and went over the palace and through the armoury.  Then we took a walk down the Strada Reale, the shopping street of Valetta, until it was time to go on board to receive some friends to tea.  The shops are full of coral, lace, gold and silver filigree work, and a new sort of lace they make in Gozo, of white silk, in beautiful patterns.  It has been manufactured only during the last few years, and varies much in quality and design.  Some forty or fifty friends came on board and amused themselves looking at our curiosities and photographs until long past the dinner hour.  We had to hurry on shore to dine, and go afterwards to the Opera Manoel.  The new Grand Opera House is not to be opened until next October.  It had been blowing fresh and strong from the westward all day, but to-night, as we rowed across the harbour, the breeze had dropped to a flat calm, and Tom is most anxious to be off at daybreak.

Thursday, May 10th.—­I was up before sunrise.  A fresh fair wind was blowing, and as soon as the children could be got ready we all went ashore to the market, which was crowded with people, and full of fish, meat, and all spring vegetables and fruit.  We were to start at 6.30, so there was no time to lose, and laden with lovely bouquets of flowers we hastened on board; but it was nine o’clock, after all our haste, before we were fairly off, through some mistake about the bill of health.

Malta is certainly the most delightful place for yachting winter quarters, with its fine healthy harbour, charming society, very cheap living, and abundance of everything good.  It is in proximity to many pleasant places, and most interesting excursions can easily be made to Sicily and Italy, or the coast of Africa.  To-day we glided along the coast, past the strongly fortified little island of Consino, standing boldly out in mid-channel between Malta and Gozo.  The Mediterranean appears to us a highway after the lonely