Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/351

Rh their cradles, a far larger amount of entrance money, termed “passage,” being in such cases paid. This was, however, a modern innovation on the established rule, and only introduced to raise additional funds for the assistance of the treasury.

A knight having become professed, was bound to proceed to the chef-lieu, as soon as he had reached the age of twenty years, and to reside there for a certain term. During this time he performed such military and naval duties as were required of him. Each complete year of this service constituted what was called a “caravan,” and the number required for qualification as a commander was three. In later years that number was raised to four. In addition to these three years of what may be termed active service he was bound to reside for two more years at the convent before he could be made a commander, so that the earliest age at which he could attain to that office was twenty-five. Before a knight could be elected a bailiff, either conventual or capitular, he must have been professed for fifteen years, of which ten had to be in residence at the convent. It was very rarely, however, that these dignities were conferred on a knight until he had attained far riper years than were laid down for his qualification. During his residence he was attached to the auberge of his langue, where he lived at the table furnished by the conventual bailiff, as will be more fully detailed presently. After he had completed his term of service he was eligible for promotion to a commandery, and sooner or later received that appointment. The principle recognised in these nominations was a system of seniority modified by selection. No doubt in those days, as at present, interest carried great weight, and the young aspirant whose advancement was looked after by influential friends received the coveted appointment to a commandery somewhat sooner than his more friendless confrère. This promotion transferred him back again to his native province, where he resided upon the estate intrusted to his charge. He there fell under the direct supervision of the grand-prior within whose district his commaudery was situated. In many cases, however, knights who were qualified to become commanders received appointments at the chef-lieu, either in the Grand-Master’s household or in some other official capacity, which necessitated a continued residence