Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/776

 738 A History of the Kn’hts of Malta. prejudice to any further claims,’ pointing to the places with his finger where they were to be seated. The position assigned to the prior of England was the more distinguished, because it was immediately below the marshal, who is second bailiff of the convent, and that of the prior of Messina was inferior from being below that of the admiral, who is the fourth in rank amongst the bailiffs of the convent. In which decision the said priors acquiesced, and having each kissed the cross held by the Grand-Master in token of obedience, they occupied the seats allotted to them without making any reply. And when shortly after they were called upon to vote concerning a matter that was being discussed by the council, the prior of England spoke first, and after him the prior of Messina. When the proceedings of the council had been terminated in the manner above described, a considerable number of knights who were waiting outside, and were on this occasion more numerous than usual in consequence of the interest excited by the controversy, entered the hail on the door being opened, and found the councillors seated and the priors each in his appointed place, so that whilst the vice-chancellor was collecting the documents and memorials of the sitting, as is customary, it was publicly noticed that the prior of England was the second from the left hand and the prior of Messina the third from the right hand of the most illustrious and most reverend the (irand-Master, which scene, besides narrating as above, I thought proper to represent in painting, as well to preserve a memorial of so wise and prudent a decision as that so excellent an example should be imitated whenever controversies arise respecting pre-eminenee, which is so honotirable to the reputation and absolutely necessary for the peace of the convent. Thus it is. “(Signed) J. Ouvr.a STsnuxr.” This knight, himself an Englishman, was naturally jealous for the honours and prerogatives of his langue, then rapidly vanishing from the ranks of the fraternity. He was therefore determined that, although no registry was made of this decree, it should not be lost sight of in after years. What has become of the pictiu’e referred to is not known. The grand-prior of England on the occasion was Sir Richard Shelley. APPENDIX XIII. Articles of capitulation of the fortress of Malta by the French in the year 1800. Art. 1. The garrison of Malta and the forts dependent thereon shall march out to be embarked for Marseilles on the day and hour appointed, with all the honours of war, such as drums beating, colours flying, matches