CHAP. I.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

279

Rhodes; whereas, if it followed the vulgar errorof placing the attack on the islets in 1310 (as formany other reasons no extremely attentive readercan), then indeed the whole ancient Piedmontesetradition were indubitably a fable. As to Ainadeo’sancestors having worn the cross before him, that isno impediment to his having gone to Rhodes.Even the coin alleged may have been by theLouis, Baron of Vaud, who died in 1350 ; just asw r ell as by his uncle of the same name, who diedin 1301. And the Fert and the dog’s collar on thetomb of the father of Amadeo V. prove nothing;for though very ancient, who knows when it waserected? If in the latter years of Amadeo Y. him-self, it -would be a flattery to assign his device tohis father. Such things are not uncommon in thefine arts. Virgil has several anachronisms. Andin Raphael’s great painting, the School of Athens,are there not cardinals and friars as auditors ofSocrates, and companions of Plato? Therefore,registered as historic be what the learned diploma-tist has high Piedmontese authority for, if his ownwere not more than sufficient. The knightswere enabled by AmadeoV. in 1315, to expelthe Ottoman invaders from the islets, so that Rhodesmight leisurely rebuild itself and fortify. But afew months were enough for quiet and luxury to