Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/208

94 of it. The amount of pension then paid out was 5,975,000 francs. Since then, the annual distribution of the cross has been reduced to two hundred.

On the 24th May, 1851, it was decreed that until 1860 only one nomination should take place for every two extinct ones, and that the annual pensions are not to exceed 100,000 francs. The Imperial Eagle, which was again placed on the army colours, was also restored to the 'Cross;' and, by a decree, of the 31st January, 1852, the previous imperial form of decoration was generally re-introduced into the realm (Plate 27, Tab. II. Nos. 5 and 6).

The President, Louis Napoleon, decreed, that a part of the property of Louis Philippe, which had been restored to the state, should be set apart as an endowment for the Legion of Honour; he also fixed the pensions of the Legionaries at 250, of Officers at 500, of Commanders at 1000, of Grand Officers at 2000, and of Grand Crosses at 3000 francs each.

On the 1st October, 1853, the Order counted sixty-five Grand Crosses (forty-six with pensions), two hundred and twenty-two Grand Officers (one hundred and twenty-five with pensions), one thousand and thirty-four Commanders (four hundred and fifty-seven with pensions), four thousand seven hundred and fourteen Officers (one thousand four hundred and fifty with pensions), and forty-eight thousand and eighty-five Knights (sixteen thousand eight hundred and thirty-one with pensions).

THE CROSS OF JULY.

On the 9th October, 1830, the Minister of the Interior proposed in the Chamber of Deputies, the foundation of an institution of national reward, for the support and pension of the citizens who had distinguished themselves, or been wounded in the revolution of the preceding July, as also for the widows, orphans, or parents of those who had fallen. According to his account,