gold,[30] but generally very far exceeds that sum. Before receiving the vow of profession, which is still administered to all Chevaliers,[31] the Candidate makes a solemn declaration either that he does not belong to the Order of Malta,[32] or that he abjures the spirit of rival hostility which actuated the Knights of St. John in former days against the Templars. These preliminaries being arranged, his petition is finally decided on, either in a Conventual house, or by the special legate of the Grand Master, in whose name only his reception can be proclaimed, and once armed a Knight, and consecrated a Chevalier of the Temple, he cannot on any pretence whatever renounce the Order.[33] At the head of the Hierarchy of the Order, ranks the Convent-General, or assembly of the Knights, but the executive power is vested in the Grand Master, whose authority is almost unbounded. He is elected for life from among the Knights, and it is declared impious to substitute a successor to him unless he be deceased, or shall have voluntarily abdicated; he may even nominate his successor by testament or otherwise to the Convent-General. He can create new houses and dignities on the Order, cancelling those already constituted, remit penalties, and confer all benefices and offices, the collation to which is not specially provided for in the statutes. He confirms all Diplomas of profession and patents of appointment, and may send legates possessing powers delegated by himself to different countries. His interpretation of the laws is valid, even against a statute of the Convent-General, and he alone has the power of proposing alterations in the rules to that assembly. Next in honour to the Grand Master, unless he has publicly appointed a delegate or successor, are his four Deputes, or _Vicarii Magistrales_, who are nominated by himself, and removable at his pleasure. After these follow the Members of the Grand Council, which consists of the Supreme Preceptor, and eight Grand Preceptors, the Primate of the Order, and his four Coadjutors General, with all the Grand Priors, Ministers, and other principal dignitaries that may be present at the Magisterial City. Each nation of the Order is presided over by its Grand Prior, appointed for life, whose language comprises the various subordinate divisions of Bailiwicks or Provinces; Commanderies; Convents of Knights and Noviciate Esquires; Abbeys of Ladies and Canonesses; Chapters of Postulants, and Conclaves of Initiation. Except in special cases, no Chevalier is eligible for a Commandery before the expiration of two years from his having obtained the honours of knighthood, and in like manner no Commander can be appointed a Bailli, nor any Bailli a Grand Prior, before the same period has intervened.