Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/427

Rh and thirteenth centuries had vanished, or at most, only shewed itself in very feeble and fitful flashes. In its place, the haughty bearing and the arrogant assumption of a prosperous military fraternity, priding itself as much on its wealth and territorial power as on its warlike achievements, gradually became the distinguishing characteristics of the Order.

L’Isle Adam had watched with sorrow the rapid advance of this decadence, which the events of late years had much accelerated. The last days of his life were, from this cause, doomed to be spent amidst scenes of domestic strife and political discord. Well would it have been for him had he fallen gloriously during the memorable siege so imperishably connected with his name. It was, however, otherwise decreed, and he was fated to pass his last hours in the midst of turmoil most distressing to his noble heart.

One subject of dispute sprang from the succession to the newly-created bishopric of Malta. By the act of donation already referred to Charles had reserved to himself and his successors the right of nomination to this post by selection from amongst three candidates to be named by the fraternity. When the first vacancy occurred the Grand-Master was most desirous that the dignity should be conferred on Thomas Bosio, the brother of the commander whose diplomatic services have been so frequently mentioned. He was already vice-chancellor of the Order, but L’Isle Adam thought that the late commander’s services should be repaid by raising his brother to a still higher dignity. He therefore named him as one of the three candidates for the vacant post, and at the same time wrote a pressing letter to the Pope, entreating him to use his influence with the emperor to obtain the appointment for Bosio. This the Pope promptly did, and received a reply from the emperor assuring him that his request should be complied with. A considerable delay, however, took place before the nomination was made public, but eventually the deed selecting Bosio for the vacant office was deposited in the hands of the ambassador of the fraternity then resident at the court of the emperor. All seemed now satisfactorily arranged. The Grand-Master despatched Bosio to Rome with the emperor’s deed of nomination, and with instructions to tender his chief’s thanks for the share his Holiness