1916 Letter 14
[1916]
Dear Mother –
I stopped at the Armoury in my travels, didn’t I?
The collection of armour is one of, if not the finest in the world – well arranged and very interesting. Two Sedan chairs and an old coach of Napoleon’s and some old Italian quick firing guns I liked best.
The tapestry is in the same building in what is now the Council chamber. It is all real Gobelin and absolutely priceless. It was presented by Louis XIV and the large pieces about 20 ft. square I should think are scenes from the tropical countries – birds, fish fruit, animals, natives all shown in the brightest and most natural colourings. One piece particularly is remarkable for the way in which the horse’s eyes meet you from every side. They say that while that is common in good paintings it is exceedingly rare in tapestry. Above these large ones were small sea pictures of the various battles the Maltese waged against the Turks – also tapestry.
We were fortunate enough to meet a boy we’d known in Lemnos, who asked to come with us and who brought his Major. It was they who took us to the Armouries and the Major knew all sorts of interesting details that made all the difference in the world.
Yesterday was Sunday. We stayed in till tea time. Then we took a carr[ ] to the San Antonio gardens. We liked them awfully but you would have had the time of your life.
Acres of oranges, not yet ripe, roses, marigolds, dallias every imaginable outdoor plant. The rues with their white, pink, red, yellow and purple flowers – covered every bit of wall.
I wish the oranges had been ripe. It just needed the yellows to make the groves a perfect picture.
The fernery was wonderful too, and the fountains.
It was nearly seven and bright moonlight when we reached town. We had dinner at the Club and found a note from Mrs. Godfrey asking us to a moonlight picnic on Wednesday. Of course we can’t possibly think of it. It would mean late leave and we wouldn’t ask for it – not that we think for a minute they we’d get it.
To-day we are going to Vellecta to finish up our shopping. Myra and I are having uniforms made of Egyptian linen, or donkey cloth as they call it here. The material is a good blue and costs 3s a piece (4 yds). The making costs 4s, so you see it makes a very cheap and very good looking uniform.
We are also having silk blouses made, at 14s, silk supplied by them.
We’ll want mufti in London and if we must stay here a week we may as well get things made.
I bought 4 very good cameos for 7s, and some Gozo buttons which are rapidly growing scarce and which are the thing to buy.
We have 10 yards of [Tussacc] and Japanese silk each and gloves, which cost 2/6 and are simply wonderful. I have some for you.
I must stop now. Orders should come in any time now for us, and I’ll be glad to be on the way, but still this week in Malta has been a great experience. I shall not see it again probably. Address c/o 86 Strand again till I give you a new one. Love to Papa.
Helen
Oct 9th.