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THE HISTORY OF THE ORDER OF

[book IV.

the Directory’s strict orders were not to stop atMalta, if there was any resistance, which mightcreate a delay extremely injiuious to the main object,which was Egypt; so that if the grand master hadmade even the show of defence, Buonaparte wouldhave continued on his voyage ; the more that Eel sonwas already on his track. This visit to Malta hadthe effect of a short respite, for it misled Nelson tothe West Indies. And if returning he at last foundthe French fleet off the Nile, he would have per-formed his exploit much more effectual before.Buonaparte had unwittingly given him an oppor-tunity, of which he, unfortunately for the knighthood,did not avail himself. Then both Directory andNelson combined to save Malta ; but the total wantof firmness in Hompesch, and all the treasonablepreparations in the island, such as the spoiling ofthe gunpowder, and the flight of the treasurer,secured its fall. Yet when the conqueror was offthe harbour, there were not wanting some courageousvoices still ha the council: “ Often has the Holy

See rescued creatures otherwise forlorn. Whatevermffortunate exceptions may have been, yet charityis its basis, and generally it is true to it, althoughthe democrats pretend the contrary, and would forceus to believe them. I am then for following thepolicy proposed to our grand master—appeal to