# A History of the Knights of Malta/Chapter 20

CHAPTER XX.
Before entering into the history of the Order of St. John for the last two centuries of its existence as an organized fraternity— a period marked by but few events of real importance—it will be well to break off the chain of the narrative, and discuss with some detail its social habits and observances at the time of its greatest prosperity.
The institution, though under the rule of a Grand-Master, partook rather of the nature of an oligarchy than a monarchy. Very little of the actual control was left in the hands of the chief alone, all legislative powers being vested in the chapter- general, and all executive functions appertaining to the council. Over this latter he presided, and in it he possessed a double vote, with a further casting vote in case of equality. Whilst, however, his powers were thus jealously limited by the constitution, he practically exercised more influence than such restrictions would seem to render possible. No subject of debate could be introduced, except by himself or his lieutenant, nor was any enactment valid until it had received his sanction. He was thus able to exclude even from discussion any measure to which he was opposed, and as the council consisted of grand-crosses, the nomination to which dignity lay in his gift, he could at any time by fresh creations secure a majority at the board.
The position and powers of the Grand-Mastership had gradually become much changed and enlarged from, what had been contemplated in earlier years. Peter Gerard, ​the first “Custos,” or Master of the hospital, was nothing more than the superior of a monastic establishment of but little consideration and less wealth. Under Raymond du Puy the dignity of the office was greatly raised. Much wealth had poured into the coffers of the institution, and extensive territorial possessions in most of the countries of Europe had materially increased the consideration in which the Order was held, and consequently improved the social and political status of its head. The change which flu Puy introduced by adopting a military character added also to the political importance of the Custos. He was no longer merely a monk, the superior of a body of monks; he was the leader of a select band of warriors, a corps which comprised in its ranks all that was knightly and noble. The chief of such a fraternity must naturally have held a very different position in the feeble monarchy of Jerusalem to that of the cowled monk who preceded him. Ere long the Master of the Hospital of St. John became a personage of no mean importance, consulted and courted by the monarch, and treated with the most deferential respect by the people. As time rolled on, and grant after grant was made to the Order, its wealth, numbers, and political consideration increased, until in the later days of the unfortunate kingdom the chiefs of tho Hospital and Temple occupied the highest position in the state next to the monarch himself, it was in these times that the simple appellation of Master was exchanged for the more ambitious and high-sounding title of Magnus Magister, or Grand-Master. The change was in itself of trivial importance, but it marks the gradual advance the office had made in social distinction.
The expulsion of the fraternity from Palestine, and its retirement to Cyprus, seemed at first likely to reduce, if not utterly to annihilate the political importance of its chief. For some years its fate for good or ill hung in the balance. The bold and successful conception of Villaret determined favourably the doubtful question, and from that time we find the Grand- Master occupying a far more influential position than even in the most palmy days of Christian domination in the East. The acquisition of the island of Rhodes, without divesting him of any of the prestige, which as the head of a powerful military ​body had been his, gave him, in addition, the dignity and privileges of a ruling prince. Though his dominion was but small and his subjects few, the military colony at Rhodes was not unimportant. The powerful navy which the brethren organized, and with which they scoured the Levant to the terror and hindrance of the Ottoman pirates with whom those waters swarmed, rendered most valuable assistance to the commerce and general interests of Europe. The knights ere long, therefore, raised themselves to a far higher position than they had held in Palestine, and the Grand-Master, in his new rank of sovereign prince, entered into communication with the various courts of Europe very much on terms of equality. The transfer of the convent to Malta, and the terror inspired on all sides by the establishment of the Algerine corsairs upon the northern shores of Africa, enhanced this consideration. The island, when garrisoned by the knights of St. John, became an advanced post and bulwark of Christianity. Sicily and Italy were protected by this barrier from the aggression of the Moslem. The Pope and the Spanish monarch, both feeling the importance of the services rendered, invariably held out the right hand of friendship to its ruler, and treated him with a consideration and respect which his position would scarcely otherwise have warranted.
Having thus assumed sovereign functions and dignities, we find that he also, by degrees, surrounded himself with much of the state usually attendant on royalty. The revenue attached to his office during the last century of its existence at Malta amounted to upwards of £40,000 a year. This sum was derived from the following sources:—
1st. In every priory one commandery was set apart for the benefit of the Grand-Master, and was called the magisterial commandery. He was entitled to nominate its holder without reference to seniority, and its revenues for the first two years after each appointment were appropriated to him, and a pension therefrom afterwards.
​3rd. He received customs, excise, and stamp duties to the amount of upwards of £20,000 a year.
4th. He was paid a table allowance from the treasury of £600 a year.
The election of a Grand-Master took place on the third day alter the occurrence of a vacancy. The reason for this prompt action was that the Pope assumed the right of nomination so long as the post remained vacant, but his claim lapsed as soon as a successor had been duly appointed by the Order. The Pope also possessed the privilege of vetoing the candidature of any knight, provided such veto were announced before the election had been completed, but not otherwise. Immediately on the death of a Grand-Master a lieutenant was nominated, and in his hands the government was vested during the interregnum. The qualifications for a voter at the election were, that he must be eighteen years of age, and have resided in Malta for three years, that he had performed three caravans, and that he was not in debt to the treasury for a larger sum than ten crowns. Lists of such members as had complied with these conditions were prepared for each langue separately, and affixed to the door of St. John’s church for verification and general information. A board of three knights was also named by the council to receive payments on behalf of the treasury from those who, being in its debt, were desirous of freeing themselves of liability in time to participate in the coming election.
On the third day the proceedings commenced by the celebration of mass in St. John’s church, the whole of the electors being present. After this the members of the various langues retired into their respective chapels, with the exception of the one to which the lieutenant of the Mastery belonged, and that remained in the body of the church. Each langue then elected by ballot three of its members, into whose hands it confided the further conduct of the election. The three thus selected were all bound to be knights of justice. The only exceptions to this rule were the bishop of Malta and the prior of the church, who, although belonging to the class of conventual chaplains, were, nevertheless, permitted, on account of the dignity of their offices, to join with the knights on this occasion. Should the lieutenant of the Mastery be selected as one of the electors for ​his langue, he resigned the lieutenancy, and the council immediately proceeded to a new nomination for that office, it being a fundamental principle in the Order that its government should never be without a duly constituted head. it was considered necessary that each elector must have received a clear fourth part of the votes given. Should no candidate have gained that majority fresh ballots were held until the required qualification was attained. After the suspension of the langue of England, the three electors who were to represent it were selected in the following manner. Each of the others, in addition to its own three representatives, nominated a fourth to act for England. The twenty-one electors then assembled, and chose from amongst the seven candidates thus put forward, three who were to act for the dormant langue.
The twenty-four knights thus selected then assembled together and appointed from their number a president, who thereupon assumed the duties of the lieutenancy, the knight who had previously held the office surrendering it to him. Under his guidance the electors proceeded to name what was called the triumvirate, consisting of a knight, a chaplain, and a serving brother. These three having taken the regulated oaths were invested with the further conduct of the election, the original twenty-four electors being relieved of all further connection therewith. The triumvirate then nominated a fourth member to join them. Should they be unable to come to an agreement as to the nominee within an hour, they summoned the original twenty-four electors, and submitted the three names that they had respectively brought forward, one of whom was chosen by ballot. The fourth member took the oaths, and in concert with the original triumvirate nominated a fifth, the five a sixth, and so on until the original trio had been increased to the number of sixteen, there being no restriction as to langue. These sixteen then elected the Grand-Master, and should there be an equality of votes between two candidates, the knight of the election who was the senior member of the triumvirate had a casting vote. The nomination having been duly made, the original trio advanced towards the general body of electors, who were assembled in the nave of the church; the knight in the centre with the chaplain ​on his right hand and the serving brother on his left. The senior member then asked whether all were prepared to ratify the nomination that had been made, and the assembly having answered in the affirmative he thereupon announced the name of the new Grand-Master.
If the knight so chosen chanced to be present he immediately placed himself beneath the magisterial canopy and took the following oath, which was administered by the prior of the church:—“I swear solemnly before God to observe the established and ancient laws of our Order, and to act in all state affairs by the advice of the members of the council, so help me God.” He then received the homage of all present, and was conveyed in triumphal procession to the palace. The complete council was convoked as soon afterwards as possible, when the new chief was invested with the sovereignty of Malta and its dependencies. By an old custom the house of the late Grand- Master had been given up to pillage. Of later years this concession was found most inconvenient and objectionable. Its discontinuance was purchased by an issue from the treasury of three crowns to every member of the fraternity on the event of every fresh accession.
The statutes are very particular in defining the nature of the obedience to be rendered to the Grand-Master. After having, in a flowery preamble, laid down the main proposition, “That every member of the Order of Jerusalem, of whatever condition or quality he may be, is bound to obey the Master for the love of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,” the following qualification is made in the next clause:—“Should the superior give the brother any direction which does not seem to him in accordance with the statutes and the customs of the fraternity, he shall be permitted to demand the judgment of the court of Égard. It is thus that the obedience which has been vowed is to be understood; it is not to be held binding against the statutes and customs, which the superior is equally bound to obey. If he break his oath he cannot constrain the fraternity to continue its obedience to him.” The powers of the Grand-Master in granting privileges, and in pardoning offenders, were also strictly defined and limited by the same statute. He might give members leave to go on a pilgrimage, to dine privately in their own ​houses instead of at the auberge of their langue, to quit the convent, to bestow the habit of the Order, or to assemble the several langues. He could also confer on the conventual bailiffs the power of restricting the drink of any member to cold water. This penalty, however, having been once imposed, no one except the Grand-Master could revoke it after the clock had struck. His powers of pardon ceased as soon as the sentence of the council had been pronounced. Afterwards the power was transferred to that body. in the case of a knight stripped of his habit for life, no authority short of a chapter-general could reinstate him. The Grand-Master was, as an exception to this rule, permitted to commute the sentence of total deprivation when inflicted as a punishment for fighting a duel, in which the opponent had not been injured, into the loss of seniority for a year or more, according to the circumstances of the case. Immediately after his election the Grand-Master was bound to provide a leaden seal bearing on one side his effigy, and on the other the arms of the Order. This seal was to be used in all documents requiring his authority or attestation. Such were the principal regulations laid down in the statutes on the subject of the Grand-Master.
His household was superintended by twelve knights, who held various posts in the different departments, and over whom was a dignitary termed the seneschal. This officer acted for the Grand-Master in all cases where the latter did not choose to appear in person. He was commandant of the militia of the island, and in that capacity held an annual review of the forces under his command. In time of war two grand-crosses were appointed to aid him in this department of his duties, under the title of lieutenants- general, but they were strictly subordinate to him, and bound to obey his orders implicitly. Should the Grand-Master at any time be taken seriously ill, it became the duty of the senesehal to secure his official seals, and retain them until either the recovery or the death of his chief. In the latter event the sacrament of extreme unction was administered by him. He ranked as a grand-cross, ex officio, even though he should not have attained to that dignity. Both his table and equipage were furnished at the cost of the Grand-Master. Next in rank to the senesehal were the maître d’hotel, ​the master of the horse, and the treasurer. The maitre d’hotel had the entire management of the internal economy of the palace, and regulated all its ceremonies. The master of the horse controlled the stable department, and was in command of the cavalry. No horse, mule, or donkey could be exported from the island without a permit from him. He also took possession, on behalf of the Grand-Master, of the equipages of all knights dying in Malta, the disposal of which was superintended by him. The treasurer had charge of the finances, and made all payments. The remaining officers of the household were of inferior rank. They were the chamberlain, the deputy maître d’hotel, the under cavalerizze, the falconer, the captain of the guard, the three secretaries for France, Italy, and Spain, and the deputy maître d’hotel for the country palaces. The falconer was intrusted with the charge of the preservation of game. No one was allowed the privilege of shooting without a written permit from him, and this did not extend to either partridges or hares, the shooting of which was strictly forbidden under pain of the galleys; he was bound to proclaim the close of the shooting season at Easter, and its opening at the feast of the Magdalen; he had charge of the Grand-Master’s preserves, and reared and trained the falcons which it was the custom to present annually to the kings of Spain, France, and Naples. At the commencement of the shooting season he was instructed to send presents of such game as the island produced to the grand-crosses, the members of the council, the officers of the household, and the inquisitor. The duties of the three secretaries embraced the carrying on correspondence in the three several languages of their respective nationalities, all Latin documents falling tinder the cognizance of the secretary for Italy.
The Grand-Master was attended by sixteen pages, who were received as knights of justice at the age of twelve instead of the ordinary limit of sixteen. Their term of service was three years, during which time they were entirely maintained by their friends. Although the expenses of the post were large, there were always numerous candidates awaiting vacancies, owing to the seniority gained by being professed at so early an age. Their service as pages counted towards the time ​of residence in Malta, which every member was obliged to complete before he could become eligible for office. Two of these pages were in daily attendance at the palace, and accompanied the Grand-Master wherever he went. Should he return after dark, six others lined the staircase with torches. When he dined in public they waited on him at table, and one of them performed the duties of taster. The guests were permitted to give them sweetmeats from the board, but no other kind of food. During the carnival, which was always observed with great magnificence, these youths formed one of the most attractive features of the display. They were mounted on a splendidly decorated car, drawn by six richly caparisoned mules, and preceded by two trumpeters and a kettle-drummer on horseback.
The ceremonial of the table, when the Grand-Master dined iii public, was very elaborate, the grandest occasions being at the festivals of Christmas and Easter. The private invitations to these banquets were given two days beforehand, but on the morning itself the principal maître d’hotel gave a public invitation during the celebration of high mas at St. John’s church. For this purpose, immediately after the collection of the offertory he rose, staff in hand, and saluting the members of the council, invited them to partake of a repast which the Grand- Master proposed to give on that day in honour of the Order. At hall-past ten a.m. the guests proceeded to the palace, where they were ushered into the audience-chamber; here they found their host waiting to receive them. The dinner was served at eleven o’clock. At the entrance to the dining-hall the cup-bearer tendered a basin in which the Grand-Master washed his hands, the seneschal holding the towel. Whilst this ceremony was proceeding, the prior of the church advanced to the head of the table and said grace. He then retired into the ante-chamber, where the guests were also washing their hands, in readiness to return with them as soon as his Eminence was seated. That dignitary, having completed his ablutions, took his place at the head of the table, upon a couch of crimson velvet, beneath a canopy. The guests then entered the apartment, seated themselves according to rank on either side, placed their caps on their heads, and the dinner commenced. It was a point of etiquette that no one should drink until the Grand​Master had set the example. As soon, therefore, as the soup was removed, his eminence called for wine, and rising, cup in hand, bowed and drank to the health of those who sat at table with him. The guests thereupon also rose and removed their caps, remaining in that position until he had finished his draught, when he once more bowed around and reseated himself. The guests then in their turn drank to their host, rising as they did so and bowing to him. The second toast given by the Grand-Master was that of the officers of the household, and the guests took this opportunity of pledging one another. At the conclusion of the repast the Grand- Master gave the health of the Pope, which was the signal for the close of the banquet.
The public levées, which were frequently held at the palace, resembled in their etiquette that usually adopted in the courts of Europe, and need no special description. The religious ceremonials in which the Grand-Master took part were very numerous, and the rules laid down for their conduct minute in the extreme. This was probably owing to the bickerings and jealousies which had gradually sprung up between the principal functionaries and the ecclesiastics, the latter considering themselves exempted from the authority of the Grand- Master, and under the control of the Pope alone. Most of these solemnities were in honour of the ordinary anniversaries of the church, and had no particular connection with the Order itself. There were, however, two functions held in peculiar veneration, a description of which is interesting as a type of the religious ceremonials adopted in the island. One of these was the festival of the Virgin Mary, on the 8th of September, being also the anniversary of the raising of the siege of Malta by the Turks. The other was St. John the Baptist’s day, the 24th June. This, as being the feast of the patron saint of the Order, was held in high esteem.
On the 8th September, all the grand-crosses then in Malta assembled in the palace at eight o’clock in the morning in full dress, with their mantles a bee, and accompanied the Grand-Master in solemn procession to St. John’s church. The street between the palace and the church, a distance of about 200 yards, was lined by a double file of militia dressed in the ​ancient Maltese costume, which, from its gay colours, added much to the effect of the scene. Arrived at the church, high mass was celebrated by the prior of St. John’s. At the close of the epistle the service was interrupted by the arrival of the grand-standard. It was the privilege of the langue of Auvergne to have charge of this banner, and the knights of that langue took their turn in regular succession as standard-bearers during those festivals in which it made its appearance. In time of war, however, no such roster was preserved, but the grand- marshal selected any member of his langue whom he pleased for the honour. Upon the present occasion, the standard-bearer entered the church arrayed in full armour, with scarlet sopra vest and a silver helmet, surmounted by a nodding plume, forming, as the manuscript from which this account is taken says, “a magnificent spectacle.” He was accompanied by one of the Grand-Master’s pages, bearing the sword and poniard presented to La Valette by the king of Spain, and was followed by the whole langue of Auvergne, headed by the grand-marshal carrying the rod of justice in his hand. The standard-bearer and page proceeded up the church until they arrived at the high altar, which they saluted three times; they then turned towards the Grand-Master, who was seated on his throne, and also saluted him the same number of times, after which they mounted the dais, and placed themselves, the standard-bearer on his right, and the page on his left. The mass was then proceeded with, and whilst the gospel was being read, the Grand-Master took the sword and dagger from the hands of the page, and unsheathing them, held them aloft till the gospel was concluded. This ceremony was a relic of the ancient custom (which had fallen into disuse before the close of the sixteenth century) of the knights to draw their swords during the reading of the gospel, as a token of their readiness to fight in its behalf. When the host was elevated, the standard-bearer knelt and embraced his banner, and at the conclusion of the ceremony, it was borne to the chapel of Our Lady of Victory, built by La Valette, after which it was again taken to the palace, accompanied by the Grand-Master. On the occasion of this festival, ten young women received a dowry of forty crowns each from the treasury. Upon its vigil ​a solemn mass was celebrated for the repose of the souls of those who had fallen in the siege. Visits were on that day paid to the tomb of La Valette in the crypt of the church, as well as to that of a Spaniard named Don Meichior de Robles, who had greatly distinguished himself at the post of Castile, and fell gloriously at that point. Although not a member of the Order, a monument was erected to his memory by the Grand-Master Raphael Cottoner, in the chapel of the langue of Auvergne.
During the afternoon of this vigil, the 7th September, the ceremony of uncovering the celebrated picture of Our Lady of Philermo took place. This relic has been frequently mentioned in previous pages, and it maintained its ancient renown to the last. When L’Isle Adam left Rhodes he carried it away with him, and on the arrival of the Order at Malta it was placed in the church of St. Laurence. On the completion of St. John’s cathedral it was removed thither, and lodged in a magnificent chapel prepared for its reception. Until 1598 it remained always covered with a thick veil, but in that year it was for the first time exposed to view on the festival of the Virgin, and for long afterwards continued to be uncovered on that day only. Latterly it remained constantly visible, but in order to preserve the old custom, a transparent veil was placed over it. This was solemnly withdrawn by the Grand-Master, in presence of the members of his council, on the evening of the 7th September, and replaced at sunset on the following day.
The other ceremonial to which allusion has been made, was the exposure to public adoration of the hand of St. John the Baptist. This precious relic, which was given to the Grand-Master D’Aubusson by the sultan Bajazet, had been brought from Rhodes by L’Isle Adam, and was deposited by La Cassière in a chapel of St. John’s church called the Oratory. It was enclosed in a magnificent silver custode, or casket, secured by eight locks, one of the keys of which was deposited in the hands of the Grand-Master in his capacity of Turcopolier, the other seven being held by the remaining conventual bailiffs. On the vigil of the feast of St. John these keys were all collected by the master of the horse, who, in the presence of the Grand-Master ​and council, opened the custode. The prior of the church then took the relic with great state to the high altar, where it remained throughout the next day, except whilst being carried in procession. The hand itself was contained in a gold reliquary richly studded with diamonds and pearls. It also bore a magnificent diamond ring, presented to it by the grand-prior of Burletta.
It was contrary to etiquette for the Grand-Master to pay any visits; this rule was seldom broken, and then only on moat important occasions. He was, however, sufficiently gallant to pay a visit of congratulation to the three convents of St. Ursula, St. Catherine, and St. Magdalen, both at Christmas and Easter. He also called upon the Benedictine nuns of the Città Vittoriosa, when he took formal possession of that city upon assuming the magisterial dignity. He was bound to inspect the Hospital of the fraternity periodically, and on these occasions he tied an apron round his waist and personally distributed the portions of food to each patient. He was supposed in this manner to fulfil his duties as a knight Hospitaller.
Should the Grand-Master fall dangerously ill, the prior of the church was informed of the fact, and the host was brought into the palace. During this time the great bell of St. John’s church tolled forth at intervals; and, as the palace was not far from the church, the dying chief could plainly hear his own passing bell. After his death the body was embalmed, and lay in state until the burial. The funeral procession was thus formed:—First the governor of the city, followed by the battalion of guards, with drums and fifes playing a dirge; then the clergy of the island according to their respective grades; after them the corpse, borne by the senior knights of justice, the conventual bailiffs holding the pail, and four pages with standards surrounding the coffin; then followed the officers of the household, the grand-crosses, and other dignitaries, the procession being closed by the members of the Order and the public generally. The funeral service over and the body lowered into its last resting-place, the seneschal advanced, and breaking his wand of office, threw it upon the coffin, exclaiming, “Gentlemen, our Master is dead.” The master of the horse followed in the same manner, breaking the spurs of the deceased, and after him the treasurer, who ​threw a purse into the grave. With these incidents the service closed. All the details of these ceremonials have been taken from a manuscript work now in the public library of Malta, drawn up in the beginning of the eighteenth century, and purporting to lay down, by authority, all necessary rules for the etiquette of the Magisterial court.
The Grand-Master had the right, should he desire it, of naming a lieutenant to whom he might delegate such of his functions as, from age or disinclination, he was unwilling to exercise in person. This nomination rested entirely with himself, the council merely receiving intimation of the fact. It was customary for him, whenever he fell seriously ill, to appoint a lieutenant, whose authority lasted until either his recovery or his death. Some, however, named lieutenants in permanency, to relieve them of all the more onerous duties of government, retaining in their own hands only such authority as was necessary for the maintenance of their dignity. As an example of the petty squabbles fomented by the ecclesiastics, it may be mentioned that to the lieutenant was allotted a seat in St. John’s church, above the seneschal, and with a carpet. The bishop, to whom also was allotted a seat above the seneschal, had no carpet. Being unwilling to admit the precedence of the lieutenant, even in this trifling matter, he never attended church when such a functionary was present.
The navy was under the command of the bailiff of Auvergne as grand-marshal, the bailiff of Italy being the second in command with the title of grand-admiral. These two dignitaries had charge of the land forces as well as the navy; indeed, the two services were so mixed up that it would be difficult to draw any line between them except that neither the militia of the island nor the battalion of the guard served on board ship. The other troops were used indiscriminately ashore or afloat as they were required. Every knight, during his residence at Malta, was bound to complete four caravans, which involved cruises at sea of at least three months in each caravan. During this time he was attached to one of the battalions either of the galleys or ships. As the two above-named dignitaries (the grand-marshal and the grand-admiral) held their offices ex officio as heads of their respective lasgues, the actual duty of ​governance and superintendence of the navy would often have been but ill-performed had it been left solely to them. An officer was consequently selected who, whilst subordinate to their authority, had the real control in all naval questions. This knight was called the general of the galleys. He was elected by the council after ballot, on the nomination of the Grand-Master. That body thus possessed the power of veto only. The general of the galleys was always a grand-cross. If he had not attained that dignity prior to his appointment, it was at once conferred upon him.
As soon as his election was decided, the newly-appointed general named an officer to serve under him as commander of the capitan-galley, or flagship. This appointment was decided in the same manner as his own, the nomination resting with him, and the veto with the council. He also appointed a padrone, or sub-officer, to his galley, who, in case of a vacancy whilst cruising, would succeed to the post of captain. The general of the galleys was invested with absolute authority on board his fleet when at sea. He had uncontrolled power of life and death over the crews, and was permitted to suspend any officer from duty, even though appointed directly by the council. He received the title of excellency when absent from the convent, as well from members of the fraternity as from strangers, and had also the privilege, when attending the council, of appearing in red with sword and cane, whilst all the other members were robed in the “cloccia,” or black mantle of the Order, and were not permitted either a weapon or stick when in the council hall.
Until near the latter end of the seventeenth century the fleet consisted exclusively of galleys. It was with a navy thus composed that the knights earned that brilliant reputation which gained for them the supremacy of the Mediterranean, with the privilege that the flag of every other nation upon those waters saluted theirs. Even Louis XIV., a monarch most unyielding in questions of ceremony and precedence, admitted the right of the Hospitaller galleys to a salute from his vessels. About the close of the above-named century, an addition was gradually made of vessels of other types. These eventually became sufficiently numerous to warrant a division in the ​organization and duties of the marine force, as also in its superintendence. For this purpose an officer was appointed in the same manner as the general of the galleys, whose title was commandant of the ships and lieutenant-general of the galleys. He was, as the name infers, subordinate to the general, and when that officer was present the direction of the ships as well as of the galleys was in his hands. As, however, the two rarely acted together, the commandant usually enjoyed complete power. He was not necessarily a grand-cross, but should he be one, he was accorded the same privilege as his chief, of appearing at council in red with sword and stick. The control of these two branches of the navy was vested in two boards, named respectively the congregation of the galleys and that of the ships. The former, which was the most important, was composed of the conventual bailiff of Italy as grand-admiral (or his lieutenant), the general of the galleys, and four commissioners, knights of the four nations; these were France, Spain, Italy, and Germany. The other board, which was subordinate, was presided over by a grand-cross, deputed to that duty by the council, together with the commandant of the vessels and four commissioners, also knights of the four nations. The number of galleys varied greatly according to circumstances. During the warlike times of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries they had been very numerous. Of later years they gradually dwindled, until at length only four were left. The fleet of ships had at first consisted of three, to which a fourth was afterwards added, and eventually, besides these, three frigates were also built.
It has been pointed out that the supreme control of the naval and military forces being under the conventual bailiffs of Auvergne and Italy ex officio, it was found necessary to appoint a skilled officer under them to undertake the actual duties. In the same way, we find that, although the conventual bailiff of Castile was grand-chancellor, the most important and responsible portion of the duties attached to that office was performed by the vice-chancellor; this officer becoming, in fact, the secretary of state to the Order. He was in the first instance selected by the grand-chancellor. That official was not restricted in his choice to the members of any particular langue, ​still, being himself either a Castilian or a Portuguese, he generally appointed a knight of one of those nationalities for the post. The name thus chosen was submitted to the Grand- Master for approval, and he laid it before the council, where the candidate was balloted for. The vice-chancellor was not necessarily a grand-cross, but usually had attained that dignity. Indeed, the emoluments and patronage of the office were so considerable that it was much sought after, even by knights of the highest position. It is undoubted that in the roll of Grand. Masters several may be found who had attained that position solely from the great facilities they had enjoyed of ingratiating themselves with the electors whilst holding the office of vice-chancellor.
We also find the bailiff of Aragon, as grand-conservator, relieved of the most arduous of his duties by the conventual conservator. The seven langues took it in turn to supply the holder of this office, the tenure of which was for three years. Six months before the expiration of each term the bailiff of the langue whose turn it was to supply the next vacancy, submitted to the Grand-Master a list of such of his members as he considered most eligible for the post. Grand-crosses were not admitted into the number, but in the event of the conventual conservator attaining that dignity during his term of office, he nevertheless retained his position until the three years had expired. The Grand-Master selected from the list whoever he chose, and submitted the name to the council, with whom, as in all the cases before mentioned, the power of veto rested. The duties of the conservator embraced the taking charge of all gold and silver, whether plate or jewellery, left by a knight at his death, either at the convent or in any of the provincial commanderies. He held the treasury chest, and all payments therefrom were made by him. In fact, all the pecuniary transactions of the Order passed through his hands. Although he had no scat in the ordinary council unless he were a grand- cross, he was admitted into the complete council by virtue of his office.
The revenues of the Order were controlled by a committee called the camera, or chamber of the treasury. This consisted of the bailiff of Provence, the grand. commander, as president, ​three procurators, one of whom was appointed by the Grand- Master, and the other two by the council, the conventual conservator, two auditors, and two secretaries. In the absence of the grand-commander, his lieutenant took his place. No discussion could be carried on without the presence of one of them; they could, therefore, at any time close a debate by the mere act of leaving the chair. The revenues of the Order consisted of the following items, whence its ordinary income was derived:—
1. Responsions.—The nature of these payments has already been fully explained; the proportion to the rental of each commmandery, and consequently of each grand-priory, had been fixed by chapter-general; but in the event of war, or other pressing necessity, power had been reserved to the council to raise the amount. It was usually fixed at about one-third of the net income of the commandery.
2. Mortuary and Vacancy.—Whenever a commander died, the entire net revenue of his commandery, from the day of his death till the 1st of May following, was paid into the treasury. This was termed the mortuary. The revenue of the next year was also devoted to the same use, and was termed the vacancy. Whenever the finances of the Order required extra support, a second year’s vacancy was appropriated to its aid. During the last century of its existence at Malta, this additional tax became permanent.
3. Passages.—This was a sum paid to the treasury by candidates for admission into the Order. It was of two kinds, the majority and the minority. The amounts payable had varied greatly at different times. During the eighteenth century the majority passage which was paid by knights at the age of sixteen, or by pages at the age of twelve, was £100; a chaplain paid £80; a servant-at-arms (or esquire) £92. Donats, or brothers d’étage paid £26 8s. The minority passage was an increased rate paid for the privilege of entering the Order at an earlier age than laid down by law. It was originally devised in the middle of the seventeenth century, as a means of raising money to build additional accommodation for the convent at Malta. It was, however, never appropriated to that use, and gradually became a recognized and continuous source of revenue. Its amount for the first class was £388, and for either of the two other clases £330. ​4. Spoils.—This consisted of the produce of the effects of a deceased knight, which fell to the treasury, except only one-fifth part, which, with the sanction of the Grand-Master, the owner was permitted to dispose of by will.
5. Priory Annates and Priory Presents.—These were trifling items. The former consisted of the first year’s revenue of a commandery, the nomination to which was made by the grand- prior, who had that privilege once in each five years. The latter was the commutation of the gift which every grand-prior was bound to make to St. John’s church once at least during his tenure of office. The commutation had been fixed at £40 for priories of the first class, and £32 for the smaller ones. It also included gifts by knights.
6. Timber.—The timber on every oommandery belonged to the treasury, and was paid direct thereto when sold. At one time this item realized a large annual amount, but it fell off very considerably during the latter days of the Order’s existence.
7. Renounced pensions.—Many commanderies were encumbered with pensions. These were subject to the vacancy and mortuary like the general revenue of the commandery. In order to avoid the inconvenience of the loss of two years’ pension on every vacancy, many of the pensioners commuted the loss by the annual payment of ten per cent. of their pensions to the treasury, thereby insuring the continuous payment of- the remainder in spite of vacancies.
8. Rents.—This item arose from property held in Malta.
9. Foundations.—Various foundations had at different times been established by members towards the maintenance of the Hospital, fortifications, galleys, etc., and as in process of time the funds allotted to this purpose became no longer sufficient to meet the end proposed, the treasury undertook the cost, receiving the amount of the foundations in part payment.
10. Sundries.—These consisted of lozaretto dues, ransom of Turkish slaves, fees for permission to eat eggs and butter in Lent, interest on money lent, secret restitution money, and other trifling payments, none of which require special description.
It is difficult to form any opinion as to the totals of these various items, the records not being such as to shew them. The following was the annual amount averaged in the last decade ​of the residence of the Order in Malta, of which the figures are forthcoming, as given by the commander Ransijat:—
| 1. | Responsions | £47,520 |
| 2. | Mortuary and Vacancy | 21,470 |
| 3. | Passages | 20,334 |
| 4. | Spoils | 24,755 |
| 5. | Priory annates and presents | 723 |
| 6. | Timber | 4,798 |
| 7. | Renounced pensions | 161 |
| 8. | Rents | 3,428 |
| 9. | Foundations | 8,986 |
| 10. | Sundries | 4,300 |
—making a total of £136,475. The reader may perhaps be inclined to smile at the idea of a revenue as small as this. It must, however, be borne in mind that these figures only represent the amount available for expenditure at Malta, and even then without including the civil list of the Grand-Master, which was derived direct from the commanderies. It will be seen that the whole of the provincial property of the Order only contribiited £47,000 to the exchequer. This was the balance available for that purpose after the due maintenance of all the members of the fraternity not at the convent, including the provincial dignitaries. The gross income of the fraternity must probably have reached nearly a million sterling.
The European property was divided in the following manner:—
The langue of Provence consisted of the two grand-priories of St. Gilles and Toulouse and the bailiwick of Manosque. The grand-priory of St. Gilles contained fifty-three, and that of Toulouse thirty commanderies.
The langue of Auvergne consisted of the grand-priory of Auvergue and the bailiwick of Lyons, the priory containing fifty-two eommanderies.
The langue of France consisted of the three grand-priories of France, Aquitaine, and Champagne, the first containing fifty-eight, the second thirty-one, and the third twenty-four cornmanderies.
The langue of Italy comprised seven grand-priories and five ​bailiwicks. The priories were Lombardy, containing thirty-six commanderies, Rome nineteen, Venice twenty-eight, Pisa sixteen, Oapua twenty, Burletta twelve, and Messina eleven. The bailiwicks were St. Euphemia, St. Stephen, Holy Trinity of Venousa, St. John of Naples, and St. Sebastian.
The langue of Aragon comprised the three grand-priories of Aragon (commonly called the castellany of Emposta), Catalonia, and Navarre. The first was divided into thirty commanderies, the second into twenty-nine, and the third into eighteen. There were also the bailiwicks of Majorca and Caspa, and the alternate patronage with the langue of Castile to the bailiwick of Negropont.
The langue of Germany comprised the three grand-priories of Germany, Bohemia, and Dacia, or Hungary, containing between them fifty-six commanderies.
The langue of Castile and Portugal was divided into the three grand-priories of Castle, Leon, and Portugal, containing between them seventy-five commanderies.
The langue of England was, as will be hereafter described, combined with that of Bavaria, under the title of Anglo-Bavaria, in the year 1782. Although coupled in name with England, it was practically exclusively Bavarian. Its two grand-priories of Ebersberg and Poland were divided into twenty-nine and thirty-two commanderies respectively. It had also the bailiwick of Neuberg.
It will thus be seen that the European property of the Order contained nearly seven hundred distinct estates, each of which maintained several members of the fraternity, afforded a liberal income to its commander, and contributed its quota to that of its grand-prior. The balance only, after all this had been extracted from its resources, fell to the treasury of Malta.
Having dealt with the question of revenue, it will be well to give a brief glance at the expenditure, which may be classed as under:—
​2. Receivers.—As already stated, the Order had found it necessary, from an early time, to appoint special receivers, whose duty it was to collect and remit to the treasury the responsions as they fell due from the commanderies and priories. Including travelling and law expenses, they figured in the estimates for £6,600.
3. Churches.—The expenses connected with the coiventual churches of St. John, St. Anthony, and the Conception amounted to £1,160.
4. Alms.—A sum of £1,700 was expended under this head.
5. Hospitals.—The grand hospital, the hospital for women, and the foundling establishment were maintained at a joint cost of £10,400.
6. Navy.—The charge under this head was £47,500, which was thus divided: galleys, £22,500; ships, £23,600; and other charges, £1,400.
7. Land Forces.—The land forces cost £17,000, of which the Maltese regiment took £12,600; the artillery, £1,000 ; the staff £280; the ordnance, £1,500; the fortifications, £1,300; sundry other minor amounts making up the balance. In considering the charges for both navy and land forces, it must he remembered that they were officered by knights, and that nothing accrued for the pay or maintenance of these. Also that dockyard work and repairs to fortifications were carried out at very slight cost by the labour of the slaves who swarmed in the island.
8. Table money.—The tables kept at the auberges cast the Order £5,400, which sum included the £600 allowed to the Grand-Master for his own table. It will be remembered that the conventual bailiffs drew an allowance or ration for each person entitled to dine at the table of the auberge. The sum here charged formed but a small part of the actual cost of the tables; the remainder came from the bailiffs themselves.
9. Offices.—The expenses of the treasury and of the chancery amounted to £1,050.
10. Slaves.—The maintenance and clothing of the slaves, when employed on shore, cost nearly £3,000, exclusive of those who, having embraced Christianity, were kept separately, and were supported at an expense averaging about £1,000. About ​£500 a year was also spent in the purchase of slaves from members of the Order.
11. Aqueducts.—The maintenance of the public aqueducts, cisterns, fountains, etc., caused a charge of £300.
12. Postage.—The postage of letters for those persons who were exempted from such payments, cost the treasury £2,000. The persons thus privileged were the Grand-Master, his receiver- general, his three secretaries, the inquisitor, the members of the ordinary chamber, six in number, the commissioner of the post-office, and all the ambassadors of the Order resident at foreign courts.
13. Pensions.—The pension list, chargeable to the treasury, varied greatly at different periods. At the close of the eighteenth century it had been reduced to £1,100.
14. Loans.—The interest of loans contracted by the fraternity amounted to £5,000. This interest was at different rates, commencing at 2 per cent., and rising to 2¼, 2½, 2¾, up to 3 per cent., which was the highest paid for any loan.
15. Stores.—The establishment for stores was chargeable to the amount of £18,000. There were also sundry minor charges which swelled the total to a sum ranging between £120,000 and £130,000, thus nearly balancing the income.
The next point of interest in connection with the Order was its Hospital establishment, and as regards this it will be necessary to’ enter into some detail. As the fraternity originally owed its existence to the Hospitaller functions established by the charitable merchants of Amalfi, and as it was to the exercise of hospitality they owed their name, it was but natural that it should take a high place amongst the duties inculcated by their statutes. We find it thus spoken of under the heading of Hospitality:—“It is very certain that by common consent of all Christian people, hospitality holds the first place amongst works of piety and humanity as that which embraces all others. If, therefore, it be thus observed and revered by all well-disposed persons with such zealous care, how much the rather ought those to practise it, who honour themselves with the title of knights Hospitaller, and who wish to be regarded as such? Since the thing of all others which we ought to ​desire should be to carry info full effect that of which we bear the name.”
In accordance with the views thus laid down, the earlier chiefs of the fraternity spared no pains and no expense to render themselves entitled to the name they had assumed. Even in the midst of the bloody wars in which the Order found itself constantly involved, and at times when its reverses had almost threatened its utter annihilation, the doors of the convent were ever open for the reception of the worn and weary wanderer, and the pilgrim found there a ready welcome. Should his health have given way under the hardships and toil to which he had been exposed, he received within the walls of this charitable institution every care and attention that Christian benevolence could suggest. The knight returned from his deeds of daring on the battle-field, and regardless of the renown which he and his brethren had there gained, doffed his harness, laid aside his trusty sword, and assuming the peaceful black mantle of his Order, proceeded to devote himself to those acts of charity which were ever being carried on within his convent walls.
As long as the brethren remained in Palestine did this state of things continue. During that period they had amassed from the donations and bequests of the pious enormous and ever-increasing wealth. This had undoubtedly brought in its train many evils and much degeneracy. It had made them many bitter enemies, and rendered indifferent many of their warmest friends; still, we never hear among the numerous crimes laid to their charge, even by the most rancorous of their foes, that of negligence in the fundamental obligation of their profession. After their expulsion from Palestine, no doubt, a change took place; established in the island of Rhodes, the great demand which had once existed for this charity and hospitality fell off. There were no longer sick and weary pilgrims to cheer on their way; the requirements of their hospital in the island home they had adopted soon became only what the slender population in the midst of which they were living demanded. Thus we find the noble establishment, which in previous ages had called forth the enthusiastic admiration of all Christians in the Holy Land, dwarfed down to a very limited charity. Members of the ​fraternity, and indeed strangers of every description, could still, when sick, procure needful assistance from the Hospital of the Order, and care was taken to render that service as perfect and convenient as possible. It will be remembered that a description of its present condition has already been given, as quoted from Newton, in Chapter XII. This shews that it was bat a pigmy affair compared with the comprehensive and extensive establishment the knights had originally reared within the precincts of the sacred city.
The translation of the fraternity to Malta produced no great change in this respect. Mindful of their old traditions, one of their earliest measures, when establishing their convent upon the rocky islets of their new home, was to found a Hospital. There was already existing at Città Vecehia a small establishment, which doubtless sufficed for the limited wants of the island population prior to their advent. This was at once adapted to suit their temporary requirements. It was afterwards entirely rebuilt by the Grand-Master Manoel de Vilhena. In addition to that hospital they founded another in the Bourg. This building exists, and is now part of the monastery of St. Scholastica, the chapel being still used for ecclesiastical purposes. On it is the date 133, with the arms of L’Isle Adam. It must therefore have been completed within three years after the arrival of the Order in the island.
On the transfer of the chef-lieu of the convent to Valetta, the main hospital followed it. The selection of the new site was most unwise, being at the lower extremity of the promontory of Mount Seeberras, not far from the fort of St. Elmo, where it is sheltered from all the cooler breezes, and exposed to the southeast or scirocco wind, which, in Malta, is most trying and deleterious to the sick. It has received the unqualified condemnation of modern sanitary scientists, and although we do not look for the same knowledge in the sixteenth century as now prevails still it does seem strange that such elementary errors should have been committed in the selection of a site, the more so when it is remembered that the city was as yet unbuilt, and therefore any part of the entire promontory available. The Barrack and hospital Commission of 1863 thus reports on the matter:—“The hospital is situated on the south-east side of ​Valetta, close to the great harbour. The site is the lowest on that side of the town,, and all the ground falls towards it. There is an apparent advantage of position derived from the proximity of some of the sick wards to the sea, but in a climate like that of Malta, where sanitary condition depends so much on the nature of the winds, this advantage is neutralized and converted into a disadvantage by the circumstance that all healthy winds are cut off from the building partly by its bad construction, partly by its being enclosed on three sides by a densely-packed neighbourhood of lofty houses. (This latter objection may probably not have been foreseen when the site was originally selected.) Also because the lofty works of St. Elmo intervene between the site of the hospital and the north and north-westerly winds, which are the really healthy ones. The only wind that blows directly on the sick wards is the scirocco, a well-known cause of indisposition at Malta, and the effect of which is immediately perceived by the sick. The site is hence exposed only to unhealthy winds, and at all other times there is more or less stagnation of air about it, unless there is stormy weather.” This building, which has been used by the military as a hospital ever since the island was transferred to England, remains very much what it was when originally constructed. It consists of two squares or courts, one on a much lower level than the other. The far side of the lower square is prolonged in one direction until it reaches a length of upwards of 500 feet, with a width of thirty-five feet. One of the other sides of the square is also a single ward, at right angles to this. The lower square with the long ward was probably the first portion of the Hospital constructed. The Rev. W. Bedford, in his preface on the Great Hospital at Valetta, says:—“The first erection seems to have been the great hall, now divided by partitions, which do not reach more than half its height, but containing under one roof a room 503 feet long, 34 feet 10 inches broad, and 30 feet 6 inches high. The beams of the roof appear to be red deal, although common report states Sicilian chesnut to be the wood employed in their construction. The apartment at right angles also formed part of the same great hall, though now divided by another partition of about twelve feet in height. There seems to have been a communica​tion with the sea by means of a vaulted passage, a portion of which, cut off by rough masonry, was brought to light last spring during the sewerage excavations. At the end of this large apartment is a small oratory, and there are traces of an altar, above which now hangs a large picture, representing the reception of the hand of St. John by the Grand-Master D’Aubusson. All down the wall on the sea side of the apartment are little recesses, which were used as latrines in former days. The windows were high and small, so that the apartment was (and is even with it s additional windows) very dull and somewhat close. The dreariness of the room was relieved in former times by tapestries and pictures, the work of Matteo Preti and others. To those who look at sanitation with the eyes of the seventeenth century there is nothing but admiration to be given to the costly, nay lavish, arrangements and service of the hospital. The bpildings were extended in 1662, and again by the Grand-Master Perellos in 1712. In Perellos’ time also the chapel of the Holy Sacrament was erected opposite the ward for the dying.”
Such was the hospital of the Order in Malta. It now remains to discuss the statutes relating to its maintenance. Supreme in its governance was the conventual bailiff of the langue of France, who held, ex officio, the post of grand-hospitaller. He nominated from amongst the knights of his own langue an overseer of the infirmary, under whose immediate charge the whole institution was placed. The statutes thus define his duties:—“The infirmarian is a professed knight, to whose zeal the care of the sick is intrusted, for whom he must provide beds according to their condition and need. He resides in a separate apartment in the infirmary. Early in the morning he has the bell rung for the visitation, at which he is present to see that the sick are carefully attended by the physicians, and that what is necessary is ordered for them. The time for dining arrived, he has the dinner bell rung to summon all the officials, and he is present to make sure that each bed is supplied with the proper allowance, and that each of the subordinates does his duty. He does the same in the evening at the visitation and supper. Above all, he must have perfect quietness observed, and therefore he must often visit the wards by night, to see after ​the ward keepers, lights, etc. It is his duty to see that the doors and great gate of the hospital are locked at the usual hour at night, and to take care that all the officers on duty have retired.”
The religious functions of the establishment were performed by a prior, a vice-prior, and eight priests of obedience. Of these the vice-prior was always a native of Malta. A Greek pope also received an annual gratuity to administer the sacrament to such of the sick as belonged to the Greek church. The medical staff consisted of three physicians, two assistant-physicians, three surgeons, two assistant-surgeons, a lecturer on anatomy, and six medical students called “barberotti;” also a barber-surgeon for phlebotomy, and an experienced female nurse for cases of scurvy. The physicians and surgeons were each on duty for one month in three, residing during that time in the Hospital. The assistants were also on duty each alternate month. The statutes lay down that “Physicians shall be employed for the cure of the sick, experienced and talented, who shall be bound to take a vow before the eight brethren of the langues that they will watch over the sick with great care and according to the prescribed rules of medical science; that they will visit them twice daily; that they will order such things as are necessary for their cure, and will do everything without delay in spite of all obstacles. They shall receive their salaries from the funds of the common treasury, and are strictly forbidden to receive any remuneration for their services from the sick.”
As a committee of inspection over all these officials, the Grand-Master in council appointed two “prud’hommes,” or controllers of the infirmary, who were held responsible for its proper management. Their duties were thus laid down:—“They must attend to the wants of the sick, looking after the quality and quantity of the allowances, the distribution of the medicines and all necessary provisions and food. They must also note the daily expenses and consumption of articles in the infirmary, signing with their own hand the vouchers for payments. They assist with daily alms many poor incurables who are incapable of providing for themselves, and distribute to others, in addition to what remains in the cauldrons, a large quantity of soup and macaroni which is cooked expressly every day. They also give away ​to poor women old sheets and coverlets, as well as bandages and crutches to cripples.” Among the inferior officials were a seretary to the “prud’hommes,” a “ clerk of the habit,” or steward, a to take charge of the linen and furniture, a “botte-gliere” for the wine, bread, oil, etc., two cooks, one purveyor, and fourteen ward servants. Also an “armoriere,” who had charge of all the silver plate. This latter was considerable in quantity, most of the utensils being of that metal, less as a matter of ostentation than of cleanliness. The following list shows of what the plate of the hospital consisted in the early part of the eighteenth century:—250 bowls, 356 dishes, 1 large dish, 167 cups, 3 large basins, 12 basins, 256 spoons, 10 large spoons, 10 forks, 43 quart measures, 4 drinking cups, 1 drinking vessel, I casket, 13 lamps, 8 pots in sizes, 4 jugs, 1 salver. The whole weighed nearly 15,000 ounces. The following is a list of the wards:—
A ward for knights and members of the Order.
Two good rooms for the wounded of the Order.
A ward for laity, priests, and pilgrims.
A large ward for fevers and other mild cases.
A small ward for very serious cases, and for the dying.
A ward for those suffering from dysentery, and for lithotomy cases.
A ward for the wounded not of the Order.
A large ward for galley slaves.
A ward for maniacs.
Two wards for patients undergoing mercurial treatment.
A ward for those who take hot baths outside the infirmary.
In every ward a chapel was fitted for the celebration of mass, in addition to the chapel of the Holy Sacrament.
The beds numbered 370 with curtains, and 375 without curtains; total, 745. The average total of sick in the hospital was about 400 at the beginning of the eighteenth century.
For the comfort of the invalids in winter, the walls of the wards were hung with woollen curtains (evidently in utter ignorance of all sanitary’ knowledge). In summer these were taken down, and pictures placed on the walls, “representing the history of the Holy Religion.” There were eighty-five of such pictures. The regulations about food were as follow:—“The ​‘prud’honrnes’ look after the good quality of the materials used in the preparation of the food, selecting always the best of everything. The sick, therefore, are given the best soup made of fowls, herbs, vermicelli, rice, etc., and every sort of meat that had been ordered for them, such as chicken, pigeons, poultry, beef, veal, game, hashes, fricassees, stews, sausages, etc., in such quantities as are necessary; also fresh eggs, pomegranates, plums, and grapes, and every kind of refreshment allowed to sick people, such as biscuits, apples, fruit, sugar, and all sorts of confectionery, each one according to his wants. Members of the Order receive a double portion.”
The following regulation shewed that the duties of the Hospital were considered incumbent on all members:—“The training of the brethren of the Order prescribes religious hospitality; therefore, at the dinner hour, they must come to wait on the sick, and bring to their beds the portions prescribed for them from the place where the food is issued, and if the sick do not fancy what has been prepared for them, they exchange it with the sanction of the physician. They must also warm up the portions, and render all necessary assistance. But as all being present together might create confusion, each langue has a day assigned to it for the service of the Hospital.
“Sunday for the langue of Provence.
“Monday for that of Auvergne.
“Tuesday for that of France.
“Wednesday for that of Italy.
“Thursday for that of Aragon.
“Friday for that of Germany.
“Saturday for that of Castile and Portugal.
“The novices are bound to assist in the Hospital as above, each on the day fixed for his langue, and that none may omit such a proper work of charity, a check is kept by the grand-cross, master of the novices and by two commissaries, his colleagues, of different langues, who bring with them a clerk to note the names of those who fail to come, so as to admonish them. On Holy Thursday the grand-hospitaller, with all the knights of the langue of France, assemble in the room where the sepulchre is represented, and with exemplary charity wash the feet of twelve poor men, to whom large alms are afterwards given.” ​The burial of such as died within the establishment was decently and carefully ordered. Four men dressed in mourning robes carried the corpse to the grave, and with a laudable economy, it was especially provided that these robes, which were kept for the purpose, “should be preserved for another time.” No mourning was permitted to be worn at the funeral of any member of the fraternity, either by the knights themselves, or even by strangers attending the ceremony. The corpse was buried in the mantle of his Order, as it was considered proper that in his grave he should wear the distinctive costume with which he had been invested during his life.
The regulations proceed:—“ Summing up the charities of the hospital, these will be found considerable for quality and quantity. In the first place, it is the duty of the prud’hommes to provide daily allowances to all the poor, blind, lame, leprous, serofulous people, and other sick persons, which amount at present to 100 scudi a month. Soup and macaroni are distributed morning and evening to the beggars and invalids; and bandages, crutches, sticks, linen, and old coverlets are given away freely to every one. Deserted children are taken in and provided with wet nurses, who receive a monthly allowance, and are also given clothes, If the girls remain till they are grown up, seven of them are settled in marriage every year, receiviug fifty scudi as dowry; others are placed in the conservatorio, and others in private service. Besides these there are a large number of poor children, left without relations, or unable to be supported by them, who are helped like the foundlings, and eventually sent back to their homes. To the sick of the Capuchins is given as much as they want in the way of food, and also to those of St. Theresa, in the Borgo. All Maronites, Greeks, and pilgrims from the Holy Land are lodged till they embark again. To all missionary Capuchins, Theresians, and Franciscans, bread and eggs are given, and also assistance for the journey both ways. Fifty south are also given every year to the poor of Burmola, and in Holy Week, at the supper, various other doles are dispensed. Including all these charities, it is calculated that the expenditure of the Hospital costs the Order 60,000 seudi annually.”
The Hospital of St. John had, from its earliest foundation, ​been esteemed a sanctuary within which fugitives from justice might escape the fangs of the law. The exceptions to this right of sanctuary became, however, by successive decrees, so numerous that it is difficult to conceive what crimes remained for which it continued to afford shelter. The exceptions were these:—“No assassins shall find protection there, nor those who pillage and ravage the country by night, nor incendiaries, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor conspirators, nor those who have been found guilty of having caused the death of any one, either by secret treachery, or in cold blood, or by poison, or by treason. No servant of any of the brethren shall find sanctuary there, nor those who have offered any violence either to them or to our judges or other ministers of justice, nor debtors, nor such malicious persons as may have committed crimes within the infirmary under an idea that it was a sanctuary; nor, lastly, lawyers or witnesses convicted of perjury, nor murderers who infest the roads to rob and kill the passers by.”
It has already been pointed out how objectionable the site of the Hospital was from a sanitary point of view. The internal arrangements evidently were also not all that could be desired. Howard, the philanthropist, in his “Lazarettos in Europe in 1789,” thus speaks of it: “The pavement is of neat marble or stone squares. The ceiling is lofty, but being wood, now turned black, the windows being small, and the walls hung round with dusty pictures, this noble hail makes but a gloomy appearance. All the patients lie single. One ward is for patients dangerously sick or dying, another for patients of the middle rank of life, and the third for the lower and poorer sort of patients. In this last ward (which is the largest) there were four rows of beds, in the others only two. They were all so dirty and offensive as to create the necessity of perfuming them, and yet I observed that the physician, in going his rounds, was obliged to keep his handkerchief to his face. The use of perfume I always reckon a proof of inattention to cleanliness and airiness; and this inattention struck me forcibly on opening some of the private closets with which this hail is very properly furnished. The patients are twice a day, at eight and four, served with provisions, one of the knights and the under-physician constantly attending in the two halls and seeing the distribution. From ​the kitchen, which is darker and more offensive than even the lower hail to which it adjoins, the broth, rice, soup, and vermicelli are brought in dirty kettles, first to the upper hail, and there poured into three silver bowls, out of which the patients are served. Those who are in the ward for the very sick and those of the middle rank of life are served in plates, dishes, and spoons of silver; but the other patients (who are the most numerous) are served on pewter. I objected to the sweet cakes and two sorts of clammy sweetmeats which were given to the patients. The number of patients who were in this hospital during the time I was at Malta (29th March to 19th April, 1786) was from 510 to 532. These were served by the most dirty, ragged, unfeeling, and inhuman persons I ever saw. I once saw eight or nine of them highly entertained with a delirious dying patient. The slow hospital fever (the inevitable consequence of closeness, uncleanliness, and dirt) prevails here.”
* ↑ This remark of Howard’s is the result of a misapprehension. A large number of the patients of the hospital were galley slaves, and it was these only who were served on pewter.
* ↑ For further details of this Hospital the reader is referred to a work entitled "The Regulations of the old Hospital of the knights of St. John at Valetta," by the Rev. W. K. R. Bedford.