Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/596

Rh due form proposed by the head of the House to which. they belong.

Distinguished State functionaries of, at least, the rank of Privy Counsellor, are admissible to the first class.

Each of the three Ducal Courts is allowed to distribute three Grand Crosses only to their respective high functionaries.

If a commoner is honoured with the Grand Cross, he enters into all the rights and privileges peculiar to the hereditary nobility.

The total number of native Commanders, first class, js limited to twelve, that of the second class, to eighteen, and that of the Knights, to thirty-six. Of this total, each of the three courts can nominate one third for each class.

The number of members of the Cross and Medal of Honour is unlimited.

The decoration of first class Commanders ought by right to be presented only to functionaries of the rank of privy counsellor, or to members of the cabinet.

The decoration of the second class Commanders is bestowed on civil functionaries of the rank of President, Director of the Board, &c., and to military persons of, at least, the rank of Colonel or Lieutenant-Colonel.

The claim to the decoration of first class Commander is founded on fifteen years' faithful and distinguished service, and that to the second class Commander, on ten years' similar service. Exceptions in rank and term of service are usually made in favour of persons of special merits, or of those who have rendered peculiar services to the state or the King.

Foreign functionaries who enter inland service, may include the years of their service abroad, in the term required for the decoration.

The number of foreign members is unlimited, though the