174 THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF [book iv.

in his passing with singular distinction through animmense variety of charges; wounded off Tripoliin taking two vessels; then Commander of the head-most of the ships of war, Colonel Commissary ofWar, Grand Cross, Grand Chancellor, and finallyBailiff of Acre, when chosen Grand Master. 1Amongst Yilhena’s actions merit especial notice hisadmirable foundation for invalids, in his projectdated the 16th October, 1732, where the sentimentsare not unworthy of those that in after years inducedhis Majesty William IY. to erect that magnificenthospital at Malta. “The Prince has obligationstowards his poor subjects, so having an hospital forthe indigent sick, we have thought of one forindigent invalids; 2 which thereupon obtains confir-mation and approval. 3

We are now entering that period pretended ofpeculiar degeneracy, yet I humbly submitwhether it be the fact, and whether any ofour grand masters hitherto were inferior to thecommon run of European sovereigns? As to thesuperiority of D’Aubusson, and L’Isle Adam, andsuch like, over those of their time, probably nonewill be so extremely unjust, as not candidly toavow it at once.

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

2 Id., Id., Id. cccciv.—App., Num. ccxxxii.

3 Id., Id., Id. ccccv.