HISTORY OP MALTA.

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jority of votes, by the members of the chapter, to examinethe proxies who acted for the absent languages, priories, priors,and bailiffs. If their procuration was in due form, they werepermitted to vote; if not, they were excluded from the assem-bly. When the number of the members of the chapter was.once fixed, every one, according to his official rank and tothat of his language, presented a purse containing five piecesof silver, and this he gave as a tribute of homage. The marshal,from the same principle, delivered up the grand standard, andthe most distinguished officers the ensigns of their differentdignities. These were not returned till the chapter had passeda fresh grant for that purpose. This custom, which cannot betoo much admired, had been established from time imme-morial in the order of Malta.

Three commissaries of different nations were chosen at thesame time to receive all petitions during the first three daysof the assembly, and these were either granted or rejected bythe general chapter; but, as the great number of members ofwhich it was composed would have made it very tedious tohave examined particularly into every different subject, acommittee of sixteen members, who were all commanders, wasappointed to decide on the occasion. Two of these com-manders were named by each of the eight languages ; and afterbeing elected in due form, they made oath before the grand-master, who, with the other members of the chapter, likewiseswore to adopt and ratify all their determinations.

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