Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/560

Rh on all which occasions it is worn appended to the gold collar, which, however, can never be adorned with precious stones or pearls.

Since 1680, the Knights wear, on the left side of the breast, a star (No. 1). embroidered in gold.

The costume has been frequently altered. At present it consists of a garment of white taffetas, with golden embroidery, of a sword, of a cap edged with fur, and with a long flap of sky blue velvet, and finally of a mantle over the whole.

Three months after the death of a member, the decoration, costume, and the volume of the statutes must be returned to the Chapter by his heirs.

The Abbots of St. Gallen were always exempted from that rule, their successors being the legitimate inheritors of the collar and rank of the Order.

The four supreme officers of the Order: the Chancellor, (who must always be a Bishop or Archbishop), the Secretary, (usually the Minister of Foreign Affairs), the Almoner, (usually first Almoner of the King), and the Treasurer, wear the decoration round the neck, suspended by a sky blue ribbon, accompanied by a star on the left side of the breast.

The Herald, usually the first brigadier of the royal guard, wears a cross, exhibiting the Annunciation, at the button-hole, suspended by a sky blue ribbon.

All the officers of the Order have separate costumes of their own.

The annual festival is held on Annunciation Day (25th March).

ORDER OF SAINT MAURICE AND LAZARUS.

When the Reformation had crossed the German frontier, and began to find adherents in the South of Europe, the Roman