Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/703

336 The two heralds wear, by a blue and yellow silken cord, an oval shield with the Swedish arms. The centre contains a blue sword, and above it the inscription: ' Pro patria." Their costume is that of the first two classes, except that they wear, instead of the mantle, a camail, trimmed with cords and golden fringes. Upon the breast and back of the camail is a sword, embroidered in gold, and upon the shoulders the motto of the Order (Pro patriâ).

ORDER OF THE POLAR STAR, OR "THE BLACK RIBBON."

The existence of this Order, previous to the 28th April, 1748, is, like that of the two former, extremely uncertain. It is usually conferred for civil virtues, for zeal in the promotion of public good and useful institutions; nor are foreigners excluded from it. The symbol of the Order, the Polar Star, is to remind the Knights never to allow the glory of the Swedish name to set.

The Order has three classes, Commanders of the Grand Cross, Commanders, and Knights. The Princes of the blood royal are, by birth, members of the first class, and the reception of a Knight of this Order into the Seraphim creates him a Commander of the Polar Star. No one can be admitted to the Commander class who does not already possess another decoration, and has besides a civil rank, which entitles him to the predicate of 'Tro Man' (Trusty and well beloved), or to episcopal dignity in the Church.

The number of the members is unlimited, though by the decree of Gustavus III. the clergy were to have eight crosses of Commanders, and twelve of Knights. A Swede cannot become a Commander without previously possessing the Knight's cross.

The entrance fee of a Commander is 12 rixthalers, and