CIIAP. IV.]

ST. JOHN OP JERUSALEM.

133

regard as having been always in the order (whereasthey were an innovation that had caused discordsbefore, and might again), but to the form of electingthe grand master, which indeed remounts to Gerardhimself; so the knights are desired to decide on anew form of election. Now this was most ma-nifestly to deprive them of all independence, andextort openly what, if sought by other Popes, theyat least sought it under a cloak. 1 But the reply wasbecoming, that in most humble accordance with thePontiff’s desire, the knights during eight monthshad kept trying and trying without success, butfound every change for the worse; so that his Ho-liness is besought to let them adhere to their oldenform, that had almost invariably worked excellentlyand been so often confirmed by his holy predeces-sors. 2 The advice is dated 17th Sep., 1599; andthe answer signed by grand master and council,July the 14th, 1600.

But on Garzes’ going to his mansion in Feb., 1601,the choice fell on Wignacourt, a Frenchman, who inhis long reign of twenty-three years showed himselfan able and worthy sovereign. 3 A newproof how idlysuperfluous was the idea of condemning the ancient

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

2 Id., Id., Id. ecxxxvi.—Appendix, ccxxiii.

3 Sob. Paoli: Seric, ii. 477.