A History of the Fortress of Malta

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1858 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IV. Investment of the Bourg--Arrival of a reinforcement to Ihe garrison--Attempted parley by Mustapha--Bombardment of the Spur Bastion and the Post of Castile--Assault on Senglea--Its complete failure---Assault of the Post of Castile--Fxhaustion of the garrison, and alio of the besiegers--Landing of succours by Don Garcia-- Overthrow of the Turks and consequent abandonment of the siege. The fall of St. Elmo was a "warning to La Valette that the siege of the Bourg would be no longer delayed; and he prepared himself at once for the impending contest. The month which he had gained by the heroic resistance of that unfortunate garrison had not been wasted: every precaution had been taken to .strengthen the works, at the points where they were most liable to attack, and xiumerous retrenchments had also been formed, to protract the defence, even after the outer ramparts should be lost. More than one messenger had been dispatched to Sicily, to urge upon the dilatory Viceroy the absolute necessity of his speedy arrival with reinforcements, but as yet without effect; and La Valette began to dread, that he would have to continue the contest, entirely without assistance. He did not however allow this fear to have any effect on his conduct, or to weaken his determination of holding the fortress - to the latest possible moment; and he lost no opportunity of exciting similar feelings in the breasts of his followers, and of arousing their enthusiastic valour by inspiriting harangues. On St. John's festival, the day after the fall of St. Elmo, when the ordinary ceremonies of the Church had been celebrated, he called upon his comrades to avenge the cruel fate of their friends. Their mangled corpses had been reverentially raised from the...