Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/517

Rh the epithet Umilissima. The Bourg, in memory of the recent triumph enacted within its walls, had received the proud title of Città Vittoriosa, and the Città Notabile, the ancient capital of the island, was from this time destined to sink into comparative insignificance under the name of Città Vecchia. The ceremony of inauguration was performed with the utmost pomp. The entire extent of Mount Sceberras was covered with pavilions, whose snowy whiteness shone clear in the bright sunlight, their gay pennons fluttering in the breeze. From every quarter strangers had flocked to the island, eager to witness the ceremonial, the brilliant scene forming a striking contrast to the sad tragedy enacted on the same spot in the previous year. At an early hour La Vaiette left the Bourg in solemn procession, accompanied by all the grand-crosses and other functionaries of the Order then at Malta. They were preceded by the clergy, at whose head was Dominick Cubelles, bishop of the island, the leading ecclesiastical dignitary of the fraternity. Arrived at Mount Sceberras, the Grand-Master took up his station beneath an ample pavilion erected for the purpose on the appointed site, and there performed the ceremony of laying the first stone at the corner of St. John’s bastion. Loud rang the trumpets to announce the auspicious fact to the thousands crowding round the spot, but louder far than the shrillest note of the clarion burst forth the shout with which that enthusiastic multitude hailed the event.

The chivalric heart of La Valette must have glowed within him at this spontaneous note of acclamation. Well indeed might the noble veteran and those around him rejoice, for that shout was a knell to all the hopes the infidels might till then have entertained of ever seeing their banner floating in triumph over the fortress of Malta. It was the commencement of a new æra, during which the island was to rise in importance until it attained a foremost rank amongst the strongholds of Europe. Beneath the newly-laid stone had been deposited a number of coins in gold and silver, bearing on the one side a representation of the intended town with the motto Melita renascens, and on the other the date of inauguration. it is also recorded that a tablet was affixed to the stone bearing a Latin inscription, to the effect that the Grand-Master, La Valette, in memory of the late