Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/47

Rh no foreign order can be worn at the side of that of Leopold. The festival is always held in the Court Chapel on the first Sunday after Twelfth-day.

The rights and privileges of the members are the same as those of the Order of St. Stephen. No one can be honoured with the latter without previously possessing the corresponding degree of the Order of Leopold, so that every class of the latter must precede that of St. Stephen.

THE ORDER OF ELIZABETH THERESA.

The Order of Elizabeth Theresa, the second Military Order of Austria, was founded, in 1750, by Elizabeth Christina, relict of the Emperor Charles VI. The number of the Knights was originally limited to twenty officers, from the rank of Colonel up to that of General, who had loyally served the House of Austria for a term of thirty years; but it was increased to twenty-one in 1771, by the daughter of the founder, the Empress Maria Theresa, at the time when the Order was renewed and underwent some modifications.

The Order consists of three classes, the first of which numbers six, the second eight, and the third seven Knights; it is endowed with a revenue of 16,000 fl. (£1,600), out of which the members receive pensions of 1000 (£100), 800 (£80), and 500 fi. (£50) respectively. When a vacancy occurs, by decease or otherwise, the War Department sends in a list of eligible candidates, having exclusive regard to merit, without distinction of birth, country, religion, or the possession of any other order, and from that list the Emperor makes his choice.

The badge (Plate 5, Tab. II. No. 15) is an octagonal star set in gold, the points of which are enamelled partly red and partly white; in the middle is an oval scutcheon with a golden edge, round which is inscribed: 'M. Theresa parentis gratiam