The armada appeared off Malta without meeting with any incident.  This island was held by the Knights of St. John, the last of those companies of Christian warriors who had once waged war on the infidels in Palestine.  Their courage had evaporated in luxurious ease, and their discipline was a prey to intestine schisms and to the intrigues carried on with the French Knights of the Order.  A French fleet had appeared off Valetta in the month of March in the hope of effecting a surprise; but the admiral, Brueys, judging the effort too hazardous, sent an awkward explanation, which only served to throw the knights into the arms of Russia.  One of the chivalrous dreams of the Czar Paul was that of spreading his influence in the Mediterranean by a treaty with this Order.  It gratified his crusading ardour and promised to Russia a naval base for the partition of Turkey which was then being discussed with Austria:  to secure the control of the island, Russia was about to expend 400,000 roubles, when Bonaparte anticipated Muscovite designs by a prompt seizure.[98] An excuse was easily found for a rupture with the Order:  some companies of troops were disembarked, and hostilities commenced.

Secure within their mighty walls, the knights might have held the intruders at bay, had they not been divided by internal disputes:  the French knights refused to fight against their countrymen; and a revolt of the native Maltese, long restless under the yoke of the Order, now helped to bring the Grand Master to a surrender.  The evidence of the English consul, Mr. Williams, seems to show that the discontent of the natives was even more potent than the influence of French gold in bringing about this result.[99] At any rate, one of the strongest places in Europe admitted a French garrison, after so tame a defence that General Caffarelli, on viewing the fortifications, remarked to Bonaparte:  “Upon my word, general, it is lucky there was some one in the town to open the gates to us.”

During his stay of seven days at Malta, Bonaparte revealed the vigour of those organizing powers for which the half of Europe was soon to present all too small an arena.  He abolished the Order, pensioning off those French knights who had been serviceable:  he abolished the religious houses and confiscated their domains to the service of the new government:  he established a governmental commission acting under a military governor:  he continued provisionally the existing taxes, and provided for the imposition of customs, excise, and octroi dues:  he prepared the way for the improvement of the streets, the erection of fountains, the reorganization of the hospitals and the post office.  To the university he gave special attention, rearranging the curriculum on the model of the more advanced ecoles centrales of France, but inclining the studies severely to the exact sciences and the useful arts.  On all sides he left the imprint of his practical mind, that viewed life as a game at chess, whence bishops and knights were carefully banished, and wherein nothing was left but the heavy pieces and subservient pawns.