128 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [hook iv.

superiority of the Hospitallers’ galleys, that he writesto thank the grand master for his promptitude insending them to join his own Papal squadron atMessina—assuring him that it would not be theleast disagreeable to the King of Spain . 1

It was a preparation for the great sea-fight ofthe age—to take place a little better than fourmonths later. Certainly Lepanto was a defensivebattle, and gained all it aspired to—the saving ofChristendom. That was far from nothing; it waseverything. Fair are they who put the Christianvictory on a line with the Grecian Salamis, only ona larger scale; for Lepanto saved not a singlecountry, but all the countries in Europe. Thedescription of the day is spirited in the Venetiansketch , 2 adding, that it ought not to have beennearly silent about the Hospitallers; since DonJuan of Austria, supreme leader there, was himselfa knight of our order, which took a great part inthat victory; indeed almost a greater than Veniceherself, as Contarini confesses, and likewise theVenetian commander-in-chief, Morosini. Nor weretheir praises from partiality, but an almost forcedecho of universal beholders. Don Juan, of Austria,may be called no competent evidence, because sup-

1 Cod. Dipl. Geros., ii., Num. ccxviii.

2 Family Library, Num. xxiii.