Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/668

632 peace which the Venetians concluded with the Turks expressly excluded the Hospitallers from its action. They, therefore, continued their naval exploits, and in 1719 captured two rich galleons, one of which had on board the pasha of Roumelia, who became their prisoner.

Perrelos died in 1720, and was succeeded by Mark Antony Zoudodari, of the langue of Italy, brother to the cardinal of that name. He only lived two years, when Anthony Manöel de Vilhena, of the langue of Castle, was appointed to the vacant dignity. Manöel’s rule lasted nearly fifteen years, and was undistinguished by any stirring events. He died on the 12th December, 1736, having realized to a great extent the somewhat pompous eulogy recorded on his tomb:—“Memento viator quod ubi gressum in his insulis sistes pietatis eius munificentiæ securitatis amenitatis monumenta ibi inventes.” “Remember, traveller, that wherever you place your foot in this island, there you will find monuments of his piety, munificence, foresight, and charity.” Although the naval warfare conducted under his rule had been unimportant, the Pope seemed to consider that it was sufficient to warrant his sending to Manöel the consecrated sword and casque, presented only to those who had distinguished themselves by memorable actions against the infidel. The sword was of silver gilt, five feet in length, and the casque was of purple velvet, embroidered in gold and enriched with an emblem of the Holy Ghost embossed in pearls. Manöel, like so many of his predecessors, was ambitious to leave a record of his rule by some substantial addition to the defences of Malta; he, therefore, erected a fort on the island in the Marsa Muscetto. This work, which in honour of its founder, has been called Fort Manöel, commands the harbour, and covers the fortifications of Valetta on that side. It was designed by the Chevalier de Tigné in 1717, but no steps were taken in regard to it until now. Owing to the peculiar nature of the ground on the island, Tigné was compelled to adopt a square trace, but he proposed several outworks to strengthen the fort; these have never been carried out.

Manöel’s successor was Raymond Despuig, whose rule lasted only five years. He was followed, in 1741, by Emanuel Pinto do Fonseca, of the langue of Castile, and bailiff of Acre. The