Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/677

Rh provinces of Europe with consternation. A fearful earthquake ravaged Sicily and Calabria, by the force of which whole towns were prostrated, and numbers of the inhabitants engulphed in the ruins. Those who escaped death were left houseless and destitute, and a cry of misery arose on every side. Much as the knights of St. John had degenerated from their original profession, they were not deaf to the call made to them on this occasion. The galleys had been laid up for the winter at the time the news reached Malta, but so great was the energy displayed by all classes that in a single night. they were got ready for sea and stored with what was considered likely to be serviceable to the unfortunate sufferers. They first touched at Reggio, where they landed one half of the supplies with which they were laden. They then proceeded to Messina, intending there to distribute the remainder. On their arrival, however, they were informed by the commandant that the king had already provided for the wants of his people, and he refused the succours which the knights had brought, from a sense of unwillingness to place himself under an obligation to the fraternity. The galleys therefore returned to Reggio, where the remainder of their stores were landed, and were gratefully accepted on behalf of the destitute people of that town.

The Order at this time seemed, to outside observers, to be in a position of the greatest prosperity. Its territories had lately been considerably increased; a new tongue had been added to replace that of England; its revenues were large; and members of the noblest families in Europe still sought entry into its ranks. Profound peace reigned between the fraternity and its old enemy, and if from this cause the zeal of the knights seemed to be growing somewhat dulled, and if their galleys cruised in the Mediterranean rather as a pleasure trip than a warlike demonstration, the tranquillity of the times brought with it many substantial benefits to the island. The town was bristling with ramparts and guns. Manuel had, as already stated, erected a large fort on the island, which has since borne his name; de Rohan, following his example, and tempted perhaps by the immortality which that act had bestowed on his predecessor, determined on a similar measure. A new defence, therefore, soon arose upon point Dragut to aid fort Ricasoli in protecting the