Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/228

102 The Officers of the Order are;—The Dean, the Secretary, the Lord Lyon King of Arms and the Gentleman Usher of the Green Rod.

THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS ORDER OF SAINT PATRICK.

. wishing to manifest his regard for Ireland by assigning to that kingdom a National Order, was induced to institute, on the 5th February 1783, a Fraternity of Knights formed on the model of "The Garter" and named after the tutelar Saint, St. Patrick. His Majesty was further pleased to assign as insignia the emblems of the country to which the Order was to belong, and gave for "Motto" the words "Quis Separabit MDCCLXXIII," to inculcate that harmony and union which the Royal Founder was anxious to foster throughout his dominions. Thus orignated

a brilliant succession of distinguished men, selected from the most eminent, for birth, rank, or personal achievement, amongst the Irish Peers.

At the present time, the Order consists of, the Grand Master, twenty-two Knights, and several Officers. By the original statutes,. his heirs and successors, Kings of Great Britain were declared to be the, and the Lord Lieutenant General and General Governor of Ireland, Grand Master.

At first, the number of Knights was limited to fifteen, but in the reign of. it was increased to twentytwo.

Every person of or above the rank of a Knight is eligible to be admitted, but up to this time, none but Peers have been elected.