34 • TIIB HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book IV.

irreparable loss. And by the same opportunity thegrand master wrote a circular to all his priors, thatnot only they should instigate the several sovereigns,but likewise appeal to all the Christian people inEurope; and in reply, many gentlemen adventurersof every nation marched. His Catholic Majestyissued orders to his whole army to assist Malta.But to give and to effectuate are very differentthings. Yet would Malta have been a dangerousplace to let fall into bad hands. Its ports are toosecure a refuge to belong to any not trustworthy.But Don Garcias de Toledo had also sent to Malta.The ships crossed each other without knowing it.Laudatory or not, the viceroy’s letter, whateveropinions it exhales, shows a firm and fervent pre-dilection for the order in general, and the grandmaster in particular. Not a doubt of it. Such thefirst impression; though in several of his suppo-sitions he be headstrong, or quite wrong, his lastwords evidently came from the bottom of his soul:“ Believe me, not one of its own members bears asincerer affection for the order than myself, nor foryour individual happiness. Well, by the accountI have to render to the Almighty I swear, thatwhat I told you is what most becomes you and yourillustrious brotherhood. 1 conjure you to have greatcare where you trust your person, in respect of