CliAP. vi.] ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM. 185

grand master’s case, who becomes somewhat like acypher while the chapter general lasts.

The very fact of its convening is substantial evi-dence that the order had not fallen into the abase-ment pretended maliciously by the French (and bysome English dupes too 1 ), who fostered thatidea carefully, because they meant it should soonfurnish an excuse for confiscating its propertythroughout all France. Nor was the interval long,for in 1789 began radically what quickly yj-89deprived the Knights of Malta of nearly alltheir revenues. Of a large annual sum that wasimported every year into that island, nearly thewhole ceased at once. Already the finances of theorder were in some confusion. But henceforward,what possibility of retrieving them ? The chapterhad indeed retrieved somewhat of the spirit ofliberty. Yet that which should have been a goodwas turned into an evil by the malignity of thetimes, for it only served to exasperate some fineminds, who were really attached to their order, andits genuine, well-regulated, constitutional freedom;and to lead astray into the contagion of the revolu-tion some other cavaliers not deficient in natural orprofessional talents, but without deep intellect, with-out much experience, and with no wisdom; while1 Mr. Eton; and others like him.