Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/17

Rh already in possession of a mark of military distinction in the shape of a ribbon, founded and presented by his predecessor, Leopold Frederic Francis, in 1816. On the reverse is the inscription, 'Anhalt's tapfern Kriegern, 1814—1815' (To Anhalt's brave warriors, 1814—1815).

The third branch of the ducal house of Anhalt-Bernburg has also founded a War Medal for the campaigns of 1814 and 1815. It is of iron, with the initials of the Duke Alexius Frederic Christian on the obverse, and the inscription, 'Den Vertheidigern des Vaterlandes, 1814—1815' (To the defenders of the Fatherland, 1814—1815) on the reverse. It is worn suspended by a green watered ribbon with two broad white stripes and edgings (No. 6).

Suspended by a similar ribbon, is also worn a Gold) a Medal of Civil Service, the obverse of which is the same as that of No. 6. The inscription on the reverse marks the cause of the distinction, which is : 'Für fünfzig-jährige Diensttreue' (For fifty years' loyal service).

To the above three classes of the Order 'Albert the Bear,' a fourth class was added, on the 24th February, 1850, at Dessau, the residence of the present oldest reigning Duke. It possesses a second class Commanders. All the four classes wear the insignia as given in Table I. Nos. 2 and 3, in addition to the old family escutcheon of the Behrings, viz. : on the obverse, a bear with a crown and collar placed upon a rising wall towards the left ; in the middle scutcheon are seen the Anhalt Arms, while the reverse exhibits below the eye or catch, the Ascanian Arms. The only distinction of the three classes consists in their different sizes. The Knights of the Grand Cross wear it across the right shoulder suspended by a broad ribbon of the colours given in the Table, accompanied by a star (No. 1) fastened to the left side of the breast. The Commanders of the 1st Class wear it round the neck, accompanied by a star, in the