Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/321

Rh For the third and fourth classes, of the medals containing the same impression as does the cross, with the only difference that the gold medal of the third class has, in addition, a gold crown above it.

The insignia of all the four classes are worn at the buttonhole of the left breast, suspended by a white ribbon with black borders. The owners of the first three classes are allowed, on ordinary occasions, to wear the ribbon without the decoration.

All the Princes of the Hohenzollern House are born Knights of the Cross of Honour, but are not allowed to wear it before the completion of the fifteenth year of their age.

The first class Cross is only presented to the higher State and Court functionaries for distinguished merit.

With the second class Cross are honoured, civil officers who possess the rank of Collegiate, Counsellor, or Head-bailiff, while military men must possess, at least, the rank of Captain. The first class is limited (for each Principality) to four, and the second to six members.

The decorations of the third and fourth class are bestowed indiscriminately, on all individuals who have merited well of their country in promotion of the arts, sciences, inventions, useful establishments, &e. The number of foreign members is not strictly limited in some particular instances.

On the 8th April, 1844, another class was added to the former, a sort of an intervening class between the Cross of Honour, second class, and the Golden Medal of Honour. The new class which was then made to form the third, was that of the Silver Cross of Honour, and its members were limited (for each Principality) to eight.

2. Military Decoration, was founded on the 25th February, 1841. It consists of a small golden cross (Nos. 4 and 5), and is worn on the left breast by a black ribbon with white borders.