Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/525

238 6. Co-operation for the increase of National wealth, by agricultural invention or otherwise.

7. Any scheme which enriched the public Treasury, by at least 3000 roubles.

8. Any work of classical distinction.

9. Thirty-five years active and faithful civil service, (in the trans-Caucasian provinces, only twenty-five years). Every demon- — stration of high satisfaction, shortens the period by one year. Also physicians who have vaccinated in one year, three thousand children, are entitled to the decoration, as are also noblemen who have three times been elected, or filled the functions of Chancellor of a College or University, deputy-chairman, or secretary, &c.

In time of war, the General-in-Chief is authorized to confer the fourth class at discretion. The entrance fee of the first class is 180, of the second 60, of the third 30, and of the fourth 9 roubles.

Candidates for thirty-five years service, are exempt from the tax.

The widow of a Knight receives the full pension for one year after the death of her husband.

THE ORDER OF SAINT JOHN.

The general outlines of the history of this Order will be found under.

The two Russian Grand Priorates still preserve the appearance of the old Constitution and form, under the protection and patronage of the Emperor, who is head of the Chapter. Its connection with the Chapter at Rome is of a very loose character.

The Grand Priorate of Poland, established in 1776, was for a long time connected with the English and Bavarian branches, and was composed of twenty Commanderies, which