Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/541

246 on the directresses and inspectresses of the institutions under the immediate management of the Empress Maria.

The first class decoration is bestowed on ladies who have acted in the above capacities for twenty-five years and upwards, and the second class for fifteen years' service. 'The claims of the candidates are examined by a board of the charitable institutions, and submitted to the Emperor for approval. The possessors cannot, under any circumstances, be deprived of the Order.

2. The Ismail Cross was founded by the Empress Catharine II. The Russian inscription signifies: ' Ismail taken on the 2nd December, 1790' (Tab. V. No. 24).

3. The Gold Medal was founded by the Emperor Alexander, as a reward for officers. It is worn at the button-hole, suspended by the St. George's ribbon (Tab. VII. No. 30), and counts for three years, as regards the title to pension, or to the St. George's Cross.

4. Medal for 1807, is of gold for officers, and of silver for the militia (dissolved in September of that year), who took part in any one of the battles of that period. It is worn suspended by the St. George's mbbon. To officers who were not present at any battle, it was presented with the St. Vladimir ribbon.

5. Cross of Bazardjick, was also founded by the Emperor Alexander, and worn by the St. George's ribbon. It bears on the obverse, the inscription (in Russian): 'For the storming and taking of Bazardjick, on the 22nd May, 1810,' and on the reverse, 'For distinguished Merit' (Plate 74, Tab. VE. No. 25).

6. Medal of 1812, was distributed amongst the Russian troops who shared in the campaign of 1812. It is of silver for the officers, and copper for the men; it is worn by the military, suspended by the Vladimir ribbon, and by