Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/51

Rh The second class suspend the order round the neck, and the third at the button-hole—each without the star.

The Knights are not allowed to adorn it with brilliants, without special permission of the Grand Master.

The tri-coloured costume, (yellow, blue, and white) consists of a yellow velvet under-garment reaching down to the knees, and laced by a silver cord from the right arm down to the hip, while the lower part is left open. The whole is lined with white taffetas, and edged with silver embroidery. Hose and stockings are of one piece, of white silk; the shoes are of white velvet, lined with yellow satin, while bows of blue satin with silver fringes are used instead of buckles. The cap is of blue velvet with white lining, to which is attached a collar of blue velvet, falling and extending over the shoulders, and a flap twisted round with silver cords. The costume finishes with a mantle of blue velvet, richly embroidered, and fastened by a clasp on the right shoulder, while the left part is adorned with a star. Above the mantle is a straight ruff of lace. The mantles differ in size. That of the first class has a long train; that of the second barely reaches to the ground, while that of the third only extends to the middle of the leg. The sword is straight, the handle forms a cross, and is adorned with silver mountings, while the scabbard is of blue velvet. It is suspended from a sash of similar velvet with silver embroidery, and rests in a_ sword pocket.

The ceremonies of the nomination are the same as with all other Austrian Orders.

The annual festival is held on the first Sunday after the 7th April—the day when the Lombardo-Venetian kingdom was established.