CHAP. IV.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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a written document to be given: “ Raymond nedevoit sa place qu’ a l’eclat de ses vertus .” 1 Then itwas to his eclat he owed his election, and he meritedit; albeit not probably quite in the sense intended.Though the Normans themselves, and the firstcrusade, had shown that eminent bravery, and allmilitary talents, and a fervent spirit of religion (orwhat some call superstition), which are perfectlycompatible, to an attentive reader that proclamationproves he considered his election alone made him asovereign. How could that be, but that he hadbecome the chief of a body already organised andmade sovereign by universal consent? His pergratiam Dei has ever been a phrase consecrated toroyalty.

But the East is a curious country. Events themost opposite occur almost in the same breath;triumphs and defeats in wondrous rapidity. So ?in spite of the favourable omens and the latevictory, we read of Turcomans ravaging Syria thevery same year; but on their misconduct, the sultanhaving cut off their beards, this mark of ignominyso humbled and vexed them, that they all desertedto beyond the Euphrates . 2 Nevertheless, King Bald-win is winning battles near Aleppo in the autumn

1 Yertot: Hist., i. 72. 2 Arab. Chron. 43.

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