6

HISTORY OF MALTA.

in the courts of judicature; having for two years suspectedthat justice was sometimes administered in an arbitrary manner.To remedy, therefore, such abuses, and to put a stop to thenumerous appeals, which were both tiresome and ruinous tothe pleaders, he established a tribunal, from which there couldbe no further appeal; and this was termed that of the suprememagistrate of judicature. It was to assemble twice a-week, andeven every day in cases of urgent necessity: it was to bedivided into two rotas , and composed of a president and sixcounsellors. In order that every one might be perfectly ac-quainted with the particular duties he had to fulfil, the Mal-tese code was published in 1784, and revised with scrupulousattention by the persons most versed in the laws of theircountry.

While thus employed in making useful improvements inthe interior government of the convent, the chevalier Rohandid not neglect attending to those which might prove advan-tageous to the order abroad; and, during the whole of thistime, he was making great acquisitions in different parts. InTrance he became possessed of the property of the order ofSt. Anthony. In Germany the circle of Bavaria created a newlanguage for him; in Poland he was reinstated in some ancientpossessions; and in Russia he was presented with new ones.The great importance and worth of these various acquisitions Ishall now endeavour to explain.

The order of St. Anthony was founded in 1095, and con-sisted originally of a pious association, composed of some