Prerogative Of The M.W.G.M.

We make these remarks the more decidedly because , while ive are ever ready to maintain the rights of brethren , we conceive this must be effected without invading the domain of any constituted authority .

The Knights Templars.

THE KNIGHTS TEMPLARS .

By ANTHONY ONEAL HAYE . ( Continued from page 326 . ) CHAPTER YIL—( continued ) . The Barons Avould have fain expostulated Avith

the Grand Master , but Avith this answer they Avere dismissed . On the issue of the intervieiv with the Grand Master being communicated to the King , his rage kneAV no bounds ; and at a Chapter held at Sidon by the Templars , to consider the case of

the Ambassador , he broke into the house , and the Brethren being taken by surprise , Du Mesnil was dragged forth and cast into prison . A dangerous rupture betAveen the King and the Grand Master noAv appeared imminent , and the next act of Odo

was looked forward to , with great anxiety , by the Christians . Luckily , the King Avas content Avith thus vindicating his injured dignity , and did not proceed to further extremities Avith the culprit ,

dreading the revenge of the Templars , AVIIO threatened him Avith the wrath of the Pope , and their own arms , for the indignity offered them , in breaking into their house , and seizing the person of their Brother . Before the angry discussion ivas

concluded , or anything done to determine the fate of Du Mesnil , the King died ; and , upon the demand of the Grand Master , the Templar ivas liberated . Some authors suppose that Odo and the Superiors of the Order , Avere no parties to the murder of the

envoy . We do not entertain such an opinion , as it was manifestly the interests of the Order , to break off the negotiations with the Assassins , in such a manner as to prevent their being reneAved ; nor would Du Mesnil have attempted such a grave

act , as this murder Avas , Avithout receiving the direct authority of the Grand Master , and the Superiors of the Order .

Dark days were now in store for the Christians in the Holy Land . Upon the death of Aim eric , he was succeeded by his son , Baldwin IV ., a boy of thirteen , Avho Avas grievously afflicted Avith leprosy . A dispute arose betiveen Kaymond , Count of Tripoli , and Milo de Plansy , Lord of Carac and Montroyal , for the Regency of the kingdom , during

the minority of Baldwin . Milo , by his intrigues , obtained the suffrages of the Barons , but Avas shortly after found dead , in one of the streets of Acre , pierced with several Avounds , inflicted by a SAvord . Baymond succeeded his rival , although all Palestine accused him of Milo ' s deathwhile

these disputes were going on , a leader had arisen among the Saracens , Avhose name has been distinguished , in a remarkable degree , by his successes in the wars of the Holy Land , as Avell as as for the bitter and unendino- hatred he bore the

Templars . This leader ivas the famous Saladin . Saladin was sprung from the people who inhabit the mountains situated beyond the Tigris . His father , Ayoub , and his uncle , Sheerkoh , had left Curdistan to serve under the standard of the Sultan

of Bagdad , by Avhom , on account of their distinguished valour , they were raised to high military commands in his army . Sheerkoh , hoAvever , Avas a man of violent temper and brutality , and having run an officer of justice through the body , the

brothers had to flee . They took refuge among the Attabeks of Syria , and assisted them against the Christians . The young Saladin did not at first display any symptoms of that activity , bravery , and ambition , for Avhich he was afterwards

characterised . He passed his youth in sloth and indolence , and delighted in none of the martial amusements of the time . However , ivhen he was sent , along ivith his uucle , to Egypt , by ISToureddin , he there gave the first promise of his future proivess , in the

defence of Alexandria . On the death of his uncle , Sheerkoh , he was appointed vizier by the Sultan , who , trembling at the departing glory of his throne , considered Saladin the least capable , by his talents or reputation , of usurping the sovereign authority .

But he Avas deceived in the character of his neAV vizier . No sooner ivas Saladin raised to that high post , and felt the sweets of poiver , than he resolved to clear a passage for himself , to the throne . For this purpose , it was necessary to obtain the

favourable opiuion of the people . He accordingly renounced his former mode of life , the pleasures of the ivorld , and aspired to the character of a saint . Instead of gorgeous apparel and precious jewels glistening ou his person , his dress consisted of a

coarse Avoollen garment , Avater became his only drink , and he carefully abstained from every thingdisapproved of , by the Mahometan religion . He prostrated himself in public prayer five times a-day , surrounded by his friends and folloAvers , and , where he had been once gay and luxurious , he became