Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/309

Rh Merit). The reverse is a black field, and contains, in golden characters, the words: ' Gott, Ehre, Vaterland' (God, honour, country), surrounded by a laurel and oaken wreath upon white enamelled ground.

The cross, with the crown above it, is worn by the Knights of the Grand Cross across the left shoulder towards the right hip by a black-watered ribbon, three and a quarter inches wide, and with red borders. They wear besides upon the left breast an octagonal silver star, in the black centre of which are seen, surrounded by a laurel and oaken wreath, the above words: 'Gott, Ehre, Vaterland.' (Plate 42. Tab. I. Nos. 1 and 2).

The Commanders' first class, wear the cross, by a ribbon, round the neck, and besides upon the breast, a silver star with four points, in which is embroidered the cross of the Order. (Tab. I. No. 3).

The Commanders' second class wear the same, but without star.

The Knights of the first and second classes wear the same cross upon the left breast suspended by a ribbon of the above colours.

The size of the cross, and the width of the ribbon diminish with the respective inferior classes.

To the first class of Grand Cross are only admitted Princes by birth, or individuals with the title of ' Excellency.'

THE ORDER OF MERIT AND OF THE HOUSE PHILIPPE-LE-BON (THE GOOD).

It was founded on the 1st of May, 1840, by the Grand Duke Louis II., in honour of one of his ancestors, one of the greatest Princes of the House of Hesse. It is divided into four classes: Knights of the Grand Cross, Commanders of the first and second classes, and Knights.