Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/732

Rh NICHANI-IFTLHAR,

a gold medal with or without brilliants, and with the tughra (initial) of the founder.

This Order has, properly speaking, no particular classes, though the difference in the styles of the diplomas, as also in the number of the brilliants with which the badge is adorned, would almost lead to the belief that there are higher and lower degrees in it. The medal with brilliants is usually bestowed on persons of rank and eminence; but, as there are no reculations concerning the adornment of the decorations, the recipients can do with it whatever they like. The badge is meant to be worn round the neck, and so it is actually worn by the Sultan, the high functionaries, and most of the foreigners. Some, however, fasten it to the breast.

Neither is the colour of the ribbon clearly defined. Most of the Turks append the decoration to a chain or cord of various colours, or fasten it by a buckle, while Europeans usually suspend it by a red ribbon, with or without a green stripe near the borders. In recent times, the ribbon, with green borders, seems to have become the fashion (No. 1 and 2).

Since the accession of the present Sultan (Abdul Medjid), the badges conferred on foreigners are nearly all of the same form, and only differ in the size and number of the diamonds, as also in the style and expressions of the diplomas.

THE ORDER OF THE MEDJIDIE,

Was founded in 1852, as reward for distinguished services in the various departments of the administration. The principal provisions of the statutes are as follow: