CAPTURE OF MALTA.
During this year the island of Malta, which had been blockaded for more than two years, was surrendered to Major-general Pigot. The French troops who had defended it were permitted to return to France, on condition of not serving till regularly exchanged. This was a great prize, for Malta is the citadel of the Mediterranean, as Gibralter is its key: from this time it became a pillar of the British throne.