CHAP. VI.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

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sorry that a reform would be necessary, in which allthe plate and similar finery of the order would heconsumed, and force them to resume the frugal andsimple manners of their heroic ancestors, as morebefitting their profession, whether in a military orsacred point of view. In short, nothing was done ;nor do I find the subject was ever taken up again.The noble and magnanimous conduct of Eussia (inwhatever it originated), which certainly meant puregood, yet produced this of bad, that it blinded theKnights of Malta to their imminent destruction.

Here is Napoleon Buonaparte close on the footstepsof the Admiral, who, as well as the indefati-

1798

gable diplomatist, who had concealed his poli-tical under the disguise of his consular function, theFrench Consul at Malta, had disseminated seditionand treason all through Yaletta ; not at all except-ing the knights, particularly the French knights,and their well-known chief, Eansjat, who indeedwas an eloquent fanatic, a grand cross of thetreasury.

Buonaparte was then on his way to Egypt, withan immense fleet of transports, some two hundredmerchantmen, laden with all the troops and storesrequisite for that expedition, inclusive of the scientificbody, with their books and instruments. Nor werethe Maltese aware of what is well known now, that