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lit STORY OF MALTA.

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and generosity to the generals of the most enlightened nations,which, unfortunately, has since been scarcely ever followed.

The fleet belonging to the order w as overtaken by a dreadfultempest; their vessels were dispersed, and obliged to take shelter indifferent ports of the island of Candia. LTsle Adam, irritated atthe blamable cowardice of the Venetians—who regarded with aneye of the most perfect indifference the fall of the holy place, whichmight be looked upon as the bulwark of Christianity—and also theloss of their possessions in the Levant, was eager to repair his vesselswith all possible expedition, and to set sail immediately. Before hedeparted, he had an exact statement made of the persons who hadfollowed the order; which amounted to more than five thousand.Many of the inhabitants of the islands belonging to the order lefttheir habitations, and, attaching themselves to his fortune, con-tributed to augment the number of the fugitives.

In this critical situation, exposed to the danger of a difficultnavigation, the grand-master neglected no possible precautionswhich could ensure the preservation of the order. Dreading thedesertion of the knights, who were now destitute of a fixed place ofresidence ; and fearing likewise a disunion amongst them, the eventof which must be fatal, by offering a glittering bait to many princeswho w ould be delighted to have any pretext for seizing on theirimmense riches ; he did not lose a moment, but sent off' dispatchesto the pope; who immediately granted him a bull, by which hecommanded all the knights, by the holy obedience due to him, toremain united under the authority of the grand-master; threatening