Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/170

76 letters, 'Immota Fides' (Immutable faith), encompassed by a golden ring, with the year of the foundation MDCCCXXXIV. The front of the Order is seen Plate 22, Tab. I. No. 3, and the reverse No. 4.

It is worn in different sizes, suspended by a deep red ribbon (of equally different widths) with narrow yellow stripes, by the Knights of the Grand Cross across the left shoulder towards the right hip, by the Commanders round the neck, and by the Knights at the button hole. The first two classes have besides the following insignia, as special distinctions, an octagonal star with silver rays encompassing the golden bright blue enamelled Cross of the decoration, while the centre shows a golden W. covered with the crown, as also a red ring with the motto of the Order in golden letters, which is worn by the Knights of the Grand Cross upon the left breast (Tab. I. No. 1). The Commanders of the first class wear, likewise, upon the left breast an octagonal silver Cross, between the wings of which is the gold W equally covered with the ducal crown (Tab. I. No. 2), while the red centre bears the motto of the Order in gold letters, encompassed by a gold ring with the date of the foundation of the Order in it.

The Knights of the Grand Cross are, moreover, allowed to wear, on high gala days, their decorations round the neck by a gold chain, the links of which consist of three parts; of the escutcheon surrounded by flags with the two fields of Brunswick and Lüneburg, of two golden lions pacing towards the escutcheon, and of the centre of the star of the Knights of the Grand Cross (Tab. I. No. 5).

Equal to this Order and connected with it, was founded the

CROSS OF MERIT.

which is divided into two classes, gold and silver, and is worn suspended by the same ribbon as that of the previous