Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/673

Rh which had once served to render the brotherhood illustrious, but now only attested its selfishness and decay.” The truth of this description was incontestable. The knights had reached that stage of decline when it only required a bold hand, or a national convulsion, to sweep them away.

The fatal day was rapidly approaching which was to witness this consummation, but it was to occur whilst the island was under other and far feebler guidance than that of Emanuel Pinto, who died on the 25th January, 1773, at the age of ninety-two. His character was of that firm and determined nature that had he been at the head of the fraternity twenty- five years later he might, perhaps, have warded off, at least for a time, the blow which was then struck. The following speech marks well the despotic tendency of his ideas of government:—“If I were king of France I would never convoke the states-general; if I were the Pope I would never assemble a council; being the chief of the Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem, I will have no chapters-general. I know too well that these assemblies almost always finish by destroying the rights of those who have permitted their meeting.” Jealous of his rank, which he sustained with dignity and regal magnificence, he claimed for his envoys at foreign courts the prerogatives of those who represented the sovereigns of Europe, and for himself insisted on the title of Most Eminent Highness, whereas his predecessors had all been contented with that of Eminence.

An anecdote about him is still current in the island which, whilst it by no means reflects credit on his honesty, marks his despotic character. An institution had been formed on the principle of a friendly society, the funds of which were to be devoted to the purchase of masses for the souls of those who, having been members of the society during their lifetime, were afterwards supposed to need this assistance. Of this fund Pinto succeeded in obtaining the trust, and under his management it gradually melted away. When struck down with his last illness, questions began to be asked touching the balance, and a deputation waited on him for some explanations as to its whereabouts. Being introduced into his presence, Pinto boldly avowed the misappropriation of the money. “But,” added he, “be not distressed, my brethren, I shall myself shortly be in