ABEY. IV.]
ST. JOHN OF JERUSALEM.
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and a few horses and carriages, like a not rich privatelord who keeps a hospitable, and even splendidtable, atleast upon great occasions ; and without taking anyactive part whatsoever hi the politics of the day inany country. Nor will this appear otherwise thanpraiseworthy. It required resolution, and was theonly conduct that became the fallen order. It de-serves the gratitude of all parties. Assuredly themost of the knights round their chief are old men ;for they are the highest dignitaries of the order,many of whom had entered it at Malta; and equit-able it is, and pious and fitting that younger mem-bers, wherever stationed, should squeeze then’ meansa little, for the purpose of rendering the age of theirsuperiors as pleasing and honourable as possible.This too is a mark of delicacy to which no onewill object. This to he sure is an over easy life, notfitting any person not absolutely decrepit. But theorder at Home is not a fair sample ; for those to bemet with elsewhere are, for the greatest part, fineyouths. The property of the order has been inpart restored hi many countries, and in some, asBohemia, never was confiscated or dilapidated. AtVienna the order has an ambassador and a secretaryof legation. Many of the Austrian officers areKnights of Malta. One of the Imperial family, sonof the celebrated warrior, the Arch-duke Charles,