CHAP. I.

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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cause, in order to lend it ready money at an enor-mous interest, or purchase its lands cheap. Thedate having been objected to, Seb. Paolithought it necessary to corroborate it by anunanswerable document—the letter of John XXI1.himself, which the perspicacious Bosio had neverseen (since coming from the Vatican), but hadformed his opinion without it—letter in whichVillannova is advised not to abdicate, but acceptthe place of grand master to which he had beencalled—letter containing the names of the knightsat the election, and dated Avignon, 14th of theCalends of July, 1319. 1 Perhaps in Bosio’s time,things were too fresh; but now what harm thatwe know the secrets of the drama at Avignon, andthe name of all the actors, by a document detectedin the most secret corner of the archives of the Vati-can and labelled secret? Villannova’s election wasirregular, what of that? It serves only to steady anhistorian in his path to truth, and enables him tofind his way through those remote labyrinthineantiquities. Earlier it might have served malig-nity, but at present only aids laborious and inno-cent investigation. What quantity of good or harmthe French revolution did, may be matter of opinion,

1 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., Hum. vi.— Gi. Yatic.—Appendix,cxxx.