Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/507

228 cross with red and golden flames in the angles), and the initials of Peter I. upon a bright blue field surrounded by trophies.

The star (Tab. I. No. 1) which 1s fastened to the left side of the coat, shows in the golden centre the double Eagle of the Empire, round which a dark serpent is winding itself. This centre is encompassed by a bright blue ring, containing the legend (in Russian) ' For Faith and Loyalty.'

The Knights present at St. Petersburg are bound by fine of 50 roubles, to attend in costume the annual festival of the Order, usually held on the 30th November.

As a mark of special favour or particular distinction, the decoration is presented adorned with diamonds.

ORDER OF ST. CATHARINE.

It is a well known fact, that a certain Martha Rabe, a young Livonian woman, after having been married to a Swedish dragoon, and after living subsequently as mistress alternately under the protection of the Generals Bauer, Sheremetoff, and Menshikoff, inspired, at last, the Czar Peter with such intense affection for herself as to induce him to make her Empress of Russia, under the name of Catharine I. In raising her to the throne, the Czar declared that he owed her that reward, for the great services she had rendered him in various dangers, and more especially at the battle near the Pruth (1711), where his army had been reduced to twenty-two thousand men. He had, however, already at a much earlier date, shown his gratitude by the foundation of the Order of St. Catharine, on the 25th November, (7th December), 1714.

Originally, men were received into the Order, though Catharine herself was the first who was decorated with it, and