Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/167

Rh white borders, the width of which varies with the various degrees of the wearers. The Knights of the Grand Cross wear it across the right shoulder, the Dignitaries round the neck, and the three other classes upon the left breast.

The five superior classes wear, besides, upon the left breast, a star (No. 5) exactly resembling the obverse of the Order, except that it is much larger, and is in addition surmounted by a gold crown, for the Knights of the Grand Cross and Dignitaries. The eight real Knights of the Grand Cross wear, besides, on solemn occasions, a gold chain of roses worked in enamel,

THE ORDERS OF ST. BENEDICT OF AVIZ AND ST. JACOB OF THE SWORD, AND THE ORDER OF CHRIST.

These three Orders had followed the royal family at their emigration from Lisbon to Rio Janeiro, and were retained by the colony, after John VI. was recalled to the capital of Portugal. They became national in Brazil by decree, 20th October, 1823, and by subsequent usages. The insignia were only in so far altered that the crown of Portugal was exchanged for that of the empire, and the borders of the ribbons of the Orders of Christ (Plate 21. Tab. II. No. 6), and St. Jacob (No. 7) were changed into blue, and those of St. Benedict (No. 8) into pink red.

The Emperor is Grand Master, the Crown Prince first Commander. The Knights wear the Order at the button hole, the Commanders have the star upon the left breast, while the Knights of the Grand Cross wear, besides, a broad scarf on which the decoration is suspended.

All these three Orders have, however, lost their religious character in Brazil, owing to her independence of Portugal, and the rejection of the Bull 'Præclara Portugaliæ.' They are now