Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/106

52 to the half of the bosom. Short breeches of white satin, and similar rosettes, trimmed with silver fringes, white silk stockings, and white cordwain shoes, a high round hat of black felt with a silver sling of six, three or four cords, white leather gloves, a ruff of white lace buttoned in the front and hanging down upon the breast by the two ends, and finally a white satin sash round the body and fastened in a ring on the left side, with a short Knight's sword in a white belt, complete this elegant costume.

The badge (Plate 2, Tab. I. Nos. 6 and 7) is worn by a broad sky-blue ribbon with white and dark blue borders, by the Knights of the Grand Cross upon the breast, and by the Commanders and Knights round the neck. The size differs with the degree of rank. The decoration represents on the adverse (No. 7) the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin, and on the reverse St. George on horseback together with the dragon. In the four corners of the Cross, on the obverse, are seen the initials of the words: 'Virgini immaculatee Bavaria imnfaculata' (Immaculate Bavaria to the immaculate Virgin); on the reverse is the motto of the Order: 'Justus ut Palma florebit' (The just will flourish like a palm tree). Upon the chain of which there are three links in Plate 2, Tab. II. No. 11 are distributed the words: 'In Fide, Justitia et Fortitudine ' (In faith, justice and valour).

THE MILITARY ORDER OF MAXIMILIAN JOSEPH.

On the 8th June, 1797, the Elector Charles Theodor, founded a military decoration of honour, which King Maximilian Joseph transformed into a royal Order under the above title, on the 1st March, 1806, the day when the Bavarian Prince assumed the title of King. It is formed after, and to the same purpose as the Baden Order of Military Merit of Charles Frederick. That the Order is held in high estimation, is owing