THE HISTORY

OF THE ORDER OP

ST. JOHN OE JERUSALEM.

BOOK IV—MALTA— (continued.)

CHAPTER II.

Now do we enter the memorable 1565, for everglorious to the order of Malta. The captaingeneral of the Spanish navies, the famouswarrior Garcias de Toledo, by Valetta’s advice,made Viceroy of Sicily as well—first instance ofthose two high dignities being united in one person—it was no small matter for the grand master tohave acquired the gratitude of so potent a person-age, suiting much of what follows. 1

Solyman had many political reasons for his ex-pedition. It was now ready, after five years ofhard labour, and was about to sail—such the best

1 Bosio: par. iii., lib. xxiv. 489.

VOL. IV.

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