ABEY. IV.]

ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.

221

totally contrary to the spirit of our founder. Utilityto mankind was what his plan was built on. Itsaved Christendom, when there was no other way ofsaving it. And certainly, hut for the Hospitallers,the Turks would have advanced from Constantinopleinto the very innermost heart of Europe! The order’swar, like the crusaders’ themselves, was simply andrigorously defensive; on the same principle that todefend Carthage, Hannibal attacked Home. Butnot in a Turkish war lies utility to Christendomnow. In a strict alliance with the Turk, it may.Than useless, far rather allow herself to die off.- Itwere no ignoble death ! In thus ending my history, Igive up all pretension to being one (simplex dun-taxat etunum), as I hoped; all which could onlybe, if after historically getting through the Abey-ance, I could relate of another modification, replacingthe order on its original pedestal of practical utility.But indeed with the catastrophe of Malta ends myhistory. So finding myself get old, I give it to theworld in this unfinished and defective state, withoutmore waiting. My attempting part of an abeyance,already much longer than any of the preceding three(though in every other respect not half so painful andwill no doubt come like them to a happyresult at length),part comprising from the calamitous day brought onusby Erance, to the present hour, is only to gratify fair