Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/617

Rh trious subjects who made part of the most formidable, the most valiant, and the most renowned chevaliers of this ancient sovereign Order, and whose successors are now invited to raise that Christian and famous banner which was in former times the pride and glory of their ancestors, and who can again form part of this Order in climates and in oountries the most fortunate and most celebrated.”

The articles of convention distinctly recite that in making this revival the French langues are acting with the concurrence and approval of those of Aragon and Castile, thus, by a representation of five out of the eight divisions of the Order, giving the weight of majority, if such addition were necessary, to the powers of the associated French langues. This revival of the Order in England was conducted and accomplished in the most honourable spirit, and with the most chivalric intentions. The English gentlemen whose interest was enlisted in the revival, were men of the highest character, whilst the disinterested views of the French chevaliers may be gathered from a passage in one of their official communications, in which they declare that the business of the English langue must be conducted in an English manner, and so that the foreign members should not interfere in the management of the funds, which were to be solely and exclusively under the direction of the English brethren. These communications further enjoin the greatest caution in the nomination of chevaliers, and declare that, “to revive so honourable an institution, it is most necessary to act legally and according to the existing statutes, otherwise the Order would not be esteemed and respected; that the statutes must be taken by the committee as its guide and direction in the work, and that from this foundation no departure could take place, except as regards the modifications necessary owing to the religion of the United Kingdom.”

The chevalier Philippe de Chastelain and Mr. Donald Currie were appointed delegates for formally inaugurating the revival, by deed dated 14th December, 1827.

On the 24th January, 1831, the chevalier de Chastelain attended a meeting in London when the English langue was formally reorganized, and the Rev. Sir Robert Peat, D.D., Knight Grand Cross of the Royal Order of St. Stanislaus of