Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/720

684 will be perceived that the numbers were far higher during the first year than the second. This was owing to the fact that nearly 30,000 of the inhabitants left the fortress during the course of the blockade:—

1798—1799. 1799—1800. Garrison. Inhabitants. Garrison. Inhabitants September... October ... 14 ... 108 ... 30 ... 100 8 ... 108 ... 33 ... 102 November... 20 ... 107. .. 19 ... 99 December ... 25 ... 160 ... 11 ... 60 January ... 35 ... 213 ... 23 ... 44 February ... 20 ... 200 ... 13 ... 42 March ... 37 ... 230 ... 6 ... 30 April May June 40 ... 319 ... 14 ... 27 98 ... 338 ... 6 ... 19 131 ... 311 ... 3 ... 16 July August ... 48 ... 131 ... 5 ... 22 79 ... 233 ... 7 ... 25

Making a total of 725 soldiers and 3,044 inhabitants. At one period the soldiers suffered severely from moon-blindness, losing their sight during the bright moonlight nights of summer, and recovering it again in the daylight. Up to a late period a company of Italian comedians had continued to reside in the town, and the theatre was constantly opened for the amusement of the troops. The unfortunate actors had repeatedly sought permission to leave with the other inhabitants, but for a long time they were not permitted to do so, their services being considered too valuable. At length even the little food necessary for their support was too scarce to be bestowed on non-combatants, and they were allowed to depart, their places being filled by amateurs from the different regiments, who kept the theatre open till the very end.

The following letter, written by Nelson to the emperor of Russia, dated on the 31st October, 1799, shews that at that time it was contemplated to restore Malta to the Order.

“Sire,—As Grand-Master of the Order of Malta, I premise to detail to your Majesty what has been done to prevent the French from re-possessing themselves of the island—blockading