Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/612

Rh 2. To contribute as much as lies in their power to the development of the German spirit, of the arts and sciences, as also to the improvement and perfection of the social Institutions, Political Constitution and Legislative Administration of the fatherland, and not less to the diffusion of truth and light, worthy of the sober character of the German nation:

3. To assist their needy brethren who had suffered by the calamities of the war, but more especially those who were wounded in the defence of their country, or the widows and orphans of the warriors who fell in the struggle.

The badge of the Order is now, a golden white enamelled falcon, with gold legs and claws, and placed upon a gold octagonal star, enamelled green. Between this star and the falcon is another red square star of smaller size, and with white enamelled points. At the side of the star is seen a gold Royal Crown. The reverse exhibits the same octagonal star, but in white colours, as also the square one, but enamelled green. The blue enamelled middle contains a motto: 'Vigilando ascendimus.' The same is mounted with a golden laurel wreath, (for the military, with an armature), and surmounted by a gold Royal Crown, (Plate 82, Tab. I. Nos. 3 and 4). The silver star (No. 1) belongs to this decoration, and is worn on the left side of the breast. The middle exhibits a flying white falcon, upon a gold ground, and is surrounded by the motto of the Order in blue enamel. The gold ring round it rests upon the green enamelled star, and the latter, in its turn, upon the larger silver star of the Order.

This decoration is worn by the first class, Knights Grand Cross, across the right shoulder, by a broad bright red watered ribbon, accompanied by the star fastened to the left side of the breast.