Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/607

280 directed his own look towards the eagle, the Imperial escutcheon, and, in the same way as the falcons follow in the track and flight of the eagle, in like manner are the wishes of the members of the Order directed towards his Majesty, to approach him by loyal service and willing obedience. The whiteness of the falcon indicates sincerity which the members are bound to show to the illustrious founder, and to each other on all occasions. As regards the name and symbol, it has been chosen from the circumstance that the falcon is by instinct, a very watchful and attentive bird; and that it, therefore, behoves every Christian and honest man to watch over himself, lest he should fall into vice, suffer injury in his honour and good name: or fail in the duties of his office and station."

On the 18th October, 1815, the statutes of the Order were remodelled by the Grand Duke Charles Augustus. The following are the principal provisions of the new statutes.

1. The name and symbol of the Order remain the same.

2. The Orders constitute the only one existing in the Duchy.

3. It consists of three classes. The first is formed of the Grand Master, the reigning Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar, or the princes of the house, and twelve Knights of the Grand Cross.

4. The recipient of the Grand Cross must possess the rank of privy Counsellor or Major-General.

5. The second class consists of twenty-five Commanders, who must bear the title of honorary Privy Counsellors, or possess the rank of Major in Military service. The third class consists of fifty Knights. The principal duties of the members of the Order are:

1. Loyalty and devotion to the common fatherland, Germany, as also to the supreme legitimate authority of the nation.