Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/551

248 the breast, by military persons suspended by the St. George's ribbon (Plate 75, Tab. VII. No. 33), and by civilians, by the St. Vladimir ribbon (No. 34).

Merchants are presented, for various services, with a gold medal of moderate size, which bears on the obverse the portrait of the Emperor, and on the reverse the words 'For zealous services' or 'For utility,' the former words are inscribed on the medals of those who have distinguished themselves in their civic or government functions, and the latter on the medals of those who have effected much in manufactures and industry. These medals are worn round the neck by ribbons of the advancing degrees of the following Orders, viz. St. Ann, Alexander Newsky, St. Vladimir and St. Andrew. For those who are already in possession of all these ribbons the inscription is further adorned with diamonds. Even mechanics and country people are not, with the exception of the diamond adornment, excluded from the medal, or any of the ribbons.

Mahometans in civil or military service, are presented, if they have served against the enemy, with a gold or silver medal, which bears the inscription 'for valour, ' and is worn round the neck attached to the St. George's ribbon.

For saving from fire or drowning, noblemen, functionaries and merchants receive a gold medal with the inscription 'For saving the emperilled,' while sub-officers, privates, mechanics and peasants receive the same medal in silver. It is worn at the button-hole, suspended by either the St. Ann or St. Vladimir ribbon.

The latter decorations, when obtained for deeds of humanity towards fellow-creatures, are subject to no fee whatever, while all the other medals are to be paid for, according to the ribbon by which they are suspended, with a sum varying from seven to a hundred and fifty roubles.