chap, v.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 139

model that possibly may yet be found in somecorner of France, Spain, Germany, or perhaps theLateran or Vatican . 1

An eyewitness says nine days elapsed, wheneighteen thousand of the population of Rhodes havingwell discussed the respective virtues and defects ofthe two (both absent and unconscious) candidates,Sir Philip Villers de l’Isle Adam, Prior of France,and Sir Thomas Docray, Prior of England 2 —the onesignal for genius, experience, and friendship withmany princes to whom he had been frequently am-bassador—the other as a distinguished officer inevery walk of military science, familiar with Franceand Spain, and practised in the affairs of Rhodes,and renowned for every worthy gift and strengthof mind and body, and clear of ambition, and emi-nently impartial, as a magistrate ought to be, andtotally without the least tinge of artifice. Longwas the discussion; but at length the knightshaving elected L’lsle Adam Grand Master, thepopular shout proclaimed him sovereign of theirisland also . 3 Seldom have the people so pleasing adilemma; although possibly one man viewed the

1 Bosio : par. ii., lib. xviii. 519.

2 Seb. Paoli: Osservazioni, ii. 567.—Appendix, Num. xxx.

3 Pontanus: 343.