I refer to the interesting article ‘The Irish and 19th century British Malta: a rethink of perceptions’, (The Sunday Times of Malta, April 10).

I would like to add that through the recommendation of Sir Richard More O’Ferrall, Malta’s first Catholic and civil Governor, on April 6, 1847, the Pontiff granted to the Reverend Chapter of the of the Collegiate Church of St Paul Shipwreck, Valletta, the use of the personal mace in recognition of the excellent work rendered by the Reverend Chapter during the plague outbreak in 1813.

O’Ferrall was very close to Valletta’s Reverend Chapter and donated the mace, a splendid specimen of craftsmanship in solid silver. It incorporates a silver statue of St Paul, surrounded by four mythological figures at each end, flanked by four different plates embossed in silver, which portray St Paul’s Shipwreck, St Paul preaching, St Paul healing the father of Publius, the Roman Governor and St Paul healing the sick.

A portrait painting of O’Ferrall, the work of Giuseppe Calleja, is displayed in the sacristy.

Moreover, one would add that on the occasion of the feast of St Patrick, Apostle of Ireland, the Rev F. Ferries, who was a military chaplain, delivered a ‘discourse’ to the Catholic troops in Malta at the Jesuits’ Church, Valletta, on March 17, 1903. The panegyric was later published in pamphlet form.