CHAP. IV.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM..

53

perialism, it was that he was grand master; noreven alone, but with his consuls or councillors,who also signed; and this is a new proof of theorder’s perfect neutrality between Christians, andthat it recognises for country not merely the indi-vidual spot of birthplace, but all Christendom.“ Most invincible and serene Prince,—That we ad-dress ourselves to your Imperial Majesty a detailedrelation of our proceedings at Rhodes during itsdefence against the Turks, appears to us nowise in-congruous, now that the day of fight has had a happyexit, to the honour of the Christian name; and wedo not doubt but your Imperial Majesty will deriveno small joy from our victorious struggles.

“ The Turks having encamped round the city, andexplored the situation with great diligence, beganbeating our walls on every side with heavy guns,and to make strenuous exertions. to shake andundermine them, and in short display their inten-tions : and with batteries of cannon and mortars 1environed the city, and so far succeeded, that theyoverthrew nine of its towers and one of its bastions,and hit the magisterial palace with several mon-

1 At their explosions the whole island of Rhodes trembled.They were heard at Castel Rosso, an islet above a hundred milesfrom Rhodes; and warriors from every part of Christendomdeclared they had never seen such tremendous guns and terrificeffects anywhere before.—Bosio : par. ii., lib. xi.