Portrait of Edgar Parnis at the National Library, Valletta. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier, courtesy of the National Library.

People in Malta generally, and those who take interest and pride in the island’s history in particular, are right to be grateful for the munificent legacy bequeathed by magistrate Edgar Parnis to the National Library of Malta and the Valletta Museum. It was a very generous bequest to the nation.

Parnis was the son of William Parnis, one of the permanent undersecretaries for foreign affairs in the Ottoman Service. Edgar Paris was born in Constantinople, Turkey, on May 13, 1857. He obtained his degree as Doctor of Laws from the University of Malta in August 1880, after which he enjoyed an extensive practice.

On January 1, 1897, he was assigned his first appointment in the Malta Civil Service as Magistrate of Judicial Police, an appointment for which he was eminently qualified, having an excellent knowledge of English, Italian and French. Besides, he was a jurist of acknowledged ability.

He was known as “a devoted student of Maltese history, and in the course of his research he accumulated an extensive library – one of the best in the island – of works dealing with or having reference to the Maltese islands”.

In his private life, Parnis was described as “a courteous and amiable friend to all who shared the pleasure of his acquaintance. He invariably manifested the kindliness, sympathy and considerations for the poor and needy”.

Local newspapers reported that the magistrate’s death occurred at 8.45am on Tuesday, January 7, 1913, at his residence, 219 Strada Reale, Valletta. He was 57. He was survived by his mother, a brother, judge Alfred Parnis, and two married sisters.

The Daily Malta Chronicle wrote: “The death of Edgar Parnis, senior magistrate of Judicial Police in these islands, has removed from our midst one of the most esteemed and respected members of the legal profession and a learned and distinguished member of the magisterial bench.”

His remains were privately conveyed to the Addolorata Cemetery, accompanied by members of the deceased’s family. Although no circulars were issued and notwithstanding the bad weather, a large number of friends assembled at the cemetery gate to pay a last tribute of respect.

The Public Library collection and that of the museum were considerably and handsomely enhanced and enriched by the munificent legacy and bequest of Parnis

The Governor, Sir Henry Macleod Leslie Rundle, was among the company, which included the Chief Justice, Sir Joseph Carbone, the Crown Advocate, judges, magistrates, heads of government departments, barristers and solicitors, court officials and consuls, besides many other friends of the deceased, among whom members of the clergy, nobility, commercial body and civil service. The chief mourners were Judge Alfred Parnis and Lieutenant Colonel Edwin Charles Seaman, brother and brother-in-law respectively of the deceased.

A requiem Mass was celebrated in the chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows at the cemetery, followed by interment in the family vault.

A copy of Dr Parnis’s will, written in his own handwriting on June 17, 1912.

Parnis, who had been in failing health, had nevertheless continued to perform his duties with vigour and untiring interest in his onerous and important office, dying as it were, in harness.

In his lifetime, Parnis made no secret of his intention to bequeath his library and objects of Maltese historical interest to the National Bibliotheca and the Valletta Museum. He fully carried out his laudable intention as is apparent from his last will and testament.

The will is dated June 17, 1912, and written in Italian in the testator’s own handwriting – scritto di mio pugno. It is written in very clear and neat handwriting. The testator deposited the will, duly sealed, in the Second Hall of the Civil Court on June 18, 1912.

Subsequently, following the demise of Parnis, the will was opened with all formalities prescribed by law, and duly published by notary public Francesco Schembri Zarb on January 21, 1913, in the presence of Rose, widow of William Parnis, Beatrice, wife of Lieutenant Colonel Seaman, and Alfred Parnis.

In the opening part of his will the testator had willed that the funeral should be devoid of pomp and strictly public – senza alcuna pompa ed associatmento funebre venga in via privatissima.

Parnis bequeathed to the Bibliotheca Publica his complete library, consisting of books, pamphlets, manuscripts, journals and any other printed material relating to the Order of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem and to the history of Malta in general – tutto incluso nulla, senza accezione.

The book collection included a complete set of the Gazetta di Governo di Malta from its inception in 1813 to the testator’s times, court decisions, court cases, law books, history, literature, travelogues, novels, biographies, art, religion (including panygirics), politics, commerce, almanacs and directories and parliamentary papers – an impressive collection of 2,744 publications (numbered from 26,513 to 29,257).

The publications are in English, Italian, French and Maltese. No doubt, the inventory, which provides a detailed classification under various headings, gives a picture of the vast and versatile interests of Parnis.

The testator expressed his wish that following his demise a faithful inventory of his bequest be scrupulously compiled. This wish was duly and punctually fulfilled. Also in compliance with the testator’s wish, the books forming the bequest bear an inscription or label commemorating the bequest.

Apart from his book collection, Parnis also bequeathed by way of legacy to the Valletta Museum, ancient Greco-Roman gold, silver and copper coins, coins of the Order of St John of Jerusalem, commemorative medals, old maps of the Maltese islands, lithographs, engravings, paintings and drawings by Maltese artists, watercolours of Maltese landscapes and views, diplomas, parchments, autographs of illustrious people.

The bequest also included items of furniture, amphorae, vases of majolica and porcelain, tablets and inscriptions.

The testator wound up his will by appointing and instituting Robert Ganado as his testamentary executor.

The Guido Generale di Malta e Gozo (1914), in recording the death of Parnis, wrote: “che delle splendide collezioni di preziosi cimeli storici, rigaurdanti Malta, volle fare un dono munifico al paese, meritando così la publica riconoscenza”.

No doubt both the Public Library collection and that of the museum were considerably and handsomely enhanced and enriched by the munificent legacy and bequest of Parnis, whose noble and generous gesture could serve as a shining example for others to emulate.