Explanation of some Terms peculiar to the Order of Malta.

BROTHERS —all those who were professed in the order.

Convent —the residence of the grand-master, or his lieutenant: it like-wise comprehended the church, the infirmary, and the inns of theeight languages.

Statutes —the rules of the order, which were to be constantly observed,unless they were revoked by a general chapter. These ordinances,however, only lasted from one chapter to another; except those,indeed, which were very expressly confirmed.

Inn —a term well known to the French, Spaniards, and Italians: itsignified a place where the brothers ate together, and where the dif-ferent nations were assembled.

Tillers —the eight conventual bailiffs, who acted as chiefs and presi-dents of their respective languages, and as such were termed pillarsor supporters.

Bailiff's —amongst whom were included the conventual and capitularbailiffs, the priors, and the castellan of emposta. The term bailiffsignified in old French the prefect, or administrator of houses orany other estates ; for which reason our predecessors gave the nameof bailiff or bailiwic to the commanderies. An estate, or anyother property, let for a term of years and on certain conditions, isat this present time called bail in France.

Marshal. —This was the title of the conventual bailiff of the venerablelanguage of Auvergne: it was a military term borrowed from theGerman by the French, and signified the tribune or commander ofa great body of soldiers.

Turcopolier —the title of the conventual bailiff of the venerable languageof England : it took its name from the Turcopoles, a sort of lighthorse, mentioned in the history of the wars carried on by theChristians in Palestine.

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