Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/558

524 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,