( ?8 )

Chevalier, he founded in Barcelona this Order of laNueva Merced, fo named by the Virgin, who, as theyreported, appeared to them all in one and the fameHour, directing the Inftitution. In Anno 1358. I findit called alfo. Ordo beatce Eulalia , from St. Eulalia theVirgin and Martyr, buried at Barcelona in the Churchbearing her Name. This Order began on the Day ofSt. Laurence, in Auguft, A. £>. 1218. in the Fifth Year ofthat King, which Day they annually commemorate.They were to gather Alms, and go in Perfon to redeemChriftian Slaves; which Work profpered lo well, thatVelafco (the firft General or Head) fet at Liberty 400within theSpace ofSixYears after its Foundation. TheirHahit was a Coat and Scapular of courfe white Cloath,garnifhed with Cordons and Ribbons, wherewith theyfaft’ned it about their Necks, and from the upper-endthereof ifiued a Cap that covered half their Head :The Monks wore their Coats and Scapulars reachingdown to their Feet 5 but thofe of the Knights weremuch fhorter. A. D. 1251. King James, the Founder,granted unto all the Fraternity, that they fhould wearupon their Scapulars the Arms of Aragon, viz.. Or 4 PalesGules, and above that the White Crols of the Church ofBarcelona in a red Field, with Two Coats joined toge-ther per fefs tn one Shield, which came afterwards tobe encompaffed with a Bordure, which the Knightswore on their Scapulars, but the Monks on theirMantles, and both upon their Breafts. Difputes arifingamong themfclves, they were incorporated with theKnights of Montefa 5 fo that, ever fince, the whole Fra-ternity have been only Priefts. The Mafter Generalhath his Refidence at Barcelona, by the Decrees of PopeClement V. and John XXII. To conclude, they nowcollect great Sums of Money, fend out their Agentsyearly,_ chiefly to Algiers and Fefs, and for the Redemp-tion of Chriftian Captives, and have from the Time oftheir Inftitution followed their propofed Ends with allreligious Care and Faithfulnefs.

27.