4

HISTORY OF MALTA.

had nothing remaining but chebecs, the tax for the support ofthe navy of the order was renewed. The expence of thisnavy greatly exceeded that of the galleys, and amounted an-nually to a sixth part of the general expenditure of the trea-sury. The raising the Maltese regiment being acknowledgedindispensable, the pay was regulated. Proper methods werelikewise taken to maintain the interior discipline of the conventin its original purity. New military ordinances were publishedconcerning the caravans and other parts of the land and seaservice. The punishments inflicted by the ancient statutes onkeeping mistresses, on gaming, and duelling, were confirmedand augmented. In short, the greatest attention was paid toevery circumstance which could by any means contribute tothe glory and prosperity of the order ; and it would be almostimpossible to mention any of these great assemblies, in whichthe knights shewed more zeal, or displayed greater talentsand skill.

Itoban, whose views equally extended to every part ofthe administration committed to his care, was convinced therewere two objects which particularly demanded the attentionof a sovereign, since they contributed more than any thing torender the people virtuous, and submissive to the governmentunder which they lived. The first was public schools, inwhich youth might be taught respect to the laws; and thesecond, a strict observance of equity in the courts of justice,which induces the subject to submit without repining to theirawards.