IX THE RECORD OFFICE, AT MALTA. 371
A Book of Privileges of the Maltese, compiled about two hundred years ago.
From these volumes Mr. Vella has drawn up an account of the civil constitution of Notabile, the ancient capital of the island, now denominated Citta Vecchia. This constitution was called the "Universitá" and was recognised by the Knights, and its forms kept up for a long period. The Parliament House—a fine building—still exists in the almost deserted city of Citta Vecchia. In later times there was an "Universitá" of Vittoriosa, and of Valetta.
There are several volumes of original letters, many of them connected with celebrated names. There are some from the Viceroys of Sicily. About thirty are from sovereigns of England, and among them, several from Henry VIII., with his well-known bold signature. These royal letters principally consist of mere compliments on the accession of the Grand Master; but a few are of more interest, and amongst them is that of which a copy accompanies these observations. Under the date 1725, is one from the Pretender, then at Rome, who appears to have been on good terms with the Grand Master, and writes to request that he would not present to the grand priories of his (the Pretender's) dominions, or appoint coadjutors without first consulting him. On making this request to the Pope, he had been referred to the Grand Master.
There are three letters from Charles II., claiming civilities for his fleet and the admiral, John Narbrough, The latter also appears to have written in a somewhat spirited manner on the occasion of a dispute about a salute to the English flag. On June 10, 1720, the Chevalier Laval writes from London to the Grand Master respecting a representative of the Order at some congress, and also on a dispute about a flag.
There are also a large number of Processes of Nobility, which contain much valuable information respecting the descent and connection of families. Mr. Vella has taken the trouble of making a separate list of references to those papers which contain any allusions to English families, and these might possibly prove of considerable interest.
There is also a volume of the fifteenth century, containing the accounts of the Commanderies. It is a continuation of an older and still more interesting volume, which has by some means found its way into the Public Library; the latter
