Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/560

526 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