CHAP. III.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

33

D’Aubusson, who continued inspector of the for-tifications of Rhodes and captain general, even afterbecoming Grand Prior of Auvergne, never relaxedfrom his zeal and vigilance. Nothing escaped hisobservation, and under him the Rhodian defencesbecame every day stronger; and rightly, for ex-cessive danger menaced continually. To knightsand grand master, D’Aubusson’s advice Was law.He was the soul and main-spring of eveiy resolutionof the council, whether regarding war, finance, orfortifications. He himself executed what he hadhimself proposed. Always surrounded by officers,artisans, workmen, the difference of affairs neverperplexed him. He passed from one to theother with signal readiness. The extent and faci-lity of his mind sufficed for everything. Thegrand master, aged and infirm, wanted such aprop. 1

Of which chapter general formed part Sir JohnWeston, Turcopolier; Sir Robert Tong, Bailiff ofthe Eagle; Sir John Bosnel, deputy for England;and the grand master was given his standard andthe purses, according to the usual ceremony,denoting expropriation in the knights, and obe-dience and individual poverty. And the favourite

1 Bosio—Yertot: vii. 61.—Yie D’Aubusson, lib. i.

VOL. III.

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