HISTORY OF MALTA.

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address myself in the few following words to the knights in ge-neral, and still more particularly to those who, like myself, havetaken refuge in England, and found an honourable asylum inthat hospitable isle.—

Since ye have quitted Malta, most probably, alas 1 neverto return ; since ye have left behind you your archives, title-deeds, trophies, and arms; let your virtues shine the moreconspicuous, and let them prove to an admiring world, thatyou still possess that Christian humility, that perfect obedienceto your ancient laws, that unalterable patience and resigna-tion, and that spirit of universal charity, which not even theseverest misfortunes can extinguish. Let the same men,equally remarkable as warriors and hospitallers, once morededicate themselves to the service of the poor and sick, and,following the example of Gerard their original founder, erectnew hospitals in the Christian world. And, oh! may the zealwith which they serve those who need relief touch the heartof the most obstinate unbeliever, and the fame of their charityinspire those of another creed with sentiments of esteem andadmiration ! Be persuaded, my brethren, that it is to the me-mory of your hospitable virtues, still more than to that of yourmilitary exploits, that you owe the distinguished protection ofone of the most powerful sovereigns in Europe.

AVhy, then, let me ask, in a country where we have reapedthe fruits of an enlightened toleration, and where the mostphilanthropical insitutions abound—why may we not unitevol. hi. z