The Knights Templars.

we have Vertot before us—and the following paragraph to that just quoted is " A great number of young gentlemen , charmed with the extraordinary valour of the" Hospitallers , took the cross , on their arrival from the West , preferring at the same time

the cross of the Hospitallers to that of theTemplars , who seemed more proud and haughty than became the character of a religious society . All the world was for fighting under the banner of St . John ; and those who did so , were as so many pupils and

candidates , out of whom such were afterwards chosen for the religious profession , as gave the best proofs of their being sincerely called to it , and had distinguished themselves as much by their piety as their valour . "

Let us hear what Jacques de Vitri , Bishop of Acre , author of a history of the times , and an eyewitness of many of the events he relates , has to say for the Templars at this same period . " The name of their reputation , and the fame of their

sanctity , like a chamber of perfume sending forth a sweet odour , was diffused throughout the entire world , and all the congregations of the Saints will recount their battles , and glorious triumphs over the enemies of Christ . Knights , indeed , from all

parts of the earth , leaders and princes after their example , casting off the shackles of the world , and renouncing the pomps and vanities of this life , and all the lusts of the flesh , for Christ ' s sake , hastened to join them , and to participate in their

holy profession aud religion . " * Assuredly one who was a contemporary , and of such high standing in the Church is to be believed before one writing centuries after , and in praise of a rival Order

The arrival of Philip and Richard at Acre , roused the waning courage of the Christians , while it alarmed Saladin for the safety of the city . The monarchs were received with every demonstration of respect and joy , ardour was infused into the

hearts of the desponding , and all clamoured to be led without delay , against the enemy . In the battles which ensued , the Templars performed feats of valour , which , while filling the foolhardy Christians with amazement , carried terror into the

ranks of the Musselmen . Saladin , who knew of old , the courage and resolution of the Templars , ground his teeth in rage and vexation , as his best

troops turned aud fled before the lances of the Order , and he swore to spare no one of the Knights who should fall alive into his hands . The arrival of the armaments of England and France , was not the only piece of good fortune

which befel the Christians , for Saladin , at this time , was labouring under severe sickness , which finally caused his death . It incapacitated him from mounting his horse , or taking that complete direction of affairs , which the crisis demanded . He

began , moreover , to despair of being able to save Acre , and of compelling the Christians to raise the siege , which they were prosecuting with the greatest vigour . By Bohadin , he despatched . urgent letters to the Chief Imaun and others , desiring them to

summon ail the faithful to his aid . The illness of the Sultan however proved of little advantage to the Christians , among whom dissensions broke out , ancl enabled Saladin to make such pre ^ .-trations .

as delayed the fall of Acre . Could tne Christians have steadily prosecuted the siege , and in the meanwhile waived their differences to a more suitable time , Acre would have fallen , ancl the Holy Land , in a manner , would have lain open to

them . Rut there were too many masters , too many petty jealousies , to permit of this , and the military Orders , saw with chagrin , the golden opportunity slip past unimproved . Had there even existed a military council , whose laws were binding

on all , presided over by the Grand Masters of the two Orders , the result of the third crusade would have been different . Not one of the European leaders appears to have had the slightest common sense , ancl however gallant a soldier Richard might

have proved in the field , his pride and jealousy rendered him contemptible in the council . Richard may be called the hero of the Third Crusade , but to our thinking he was only the foremost of that band of crowned fools who ruined it .

But even the quarrels of the Potentates were not the only drawbacks , against which the religious Orders had to contend for treachery in high quarters , was at work . Anser of Mont Royal revealed a conspiracy , which he in conjunction with

the Bishop of Beauvais , Count Robert his brother , Guy of Duinperc , the Landgrave , and the Count of Gueldres , had entered into with Saladin , and for which they had received from that Prince thirty thousand bezants , and a hundred marks of

gold , besides a bribe of four camels , two leopards , and four falcons , given to the Landgrave , for which and for other gifts , they had agreed to put off the