Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/479

208 have the cross of the Order stamped on them. The nomination fee was fixed at six Frederics d'or.

On the 15th October, 1852, King Frederick William IV. gave it a new constitution. The Commandry of Brandenburg was thereby re-established, without, however, restoring to it the estates of which it was deprived in 1810. The new members have now to pay an annual contribution of, at least, 12 thalers, besides the entrance fee, which 1s fixed at 100 thalers. The sums, thus received, are to be employed for the support of the sick, and the establishment of an hospital of the Order, at its former castle at Sonnenburg, as soon as they are sufficient to cover the required outlay.

THE ROYAL ORDER OF THE HOUSE HOHENZOLLERN.

This Order, which originally belonged to the Principalities, Hohenzollern, was incorporated with the Prussian Orders by a royal decree of the 23rd August, 1851. It is now divided into two sections: the Order of the Royal House of Prussia, and that of the princely House of Hohenzollern. The first was founded in commemoration of the origin and progress of Prussia, which now extends from the rocks of Hohenzollern to the Baltic, and across the rivers of the Northern Sea. In keeping with that political progress, is the motto of the Order: 'Vom Fels zum Meer' (From the rock to the sea). The decoration contains both the Hohenzollern Arms and the Prussian Eagle, while the chain is additionally adorned with the Burgrave Arms of Niiremberg, and the Electorate sceptre of an Archchamberlain of the German Empire. It is bestowed in the form of a cross, as a reward for military merit and devotion to Fatherland, and divided into three classes, Grand Commanders, Commanders, and Knights.