Page:The Book of Orders of Knighthood and Decorations of Honour of All Nations.djvu/74

36 and is worn at the button-hole, suspended by a black ribbon with dark yellow borders.

2. The Military Medal of Honour, also called Medal of Valour or Merit.—It was founded by the Emperor Joseph II. as a reward for sub-officers and privates, and is divided into gold and silver medals, according to the respective degree of merit and distinction.

To the first is attached an increased pay of fifty per cent; the medals may be worn even after the owners have quitted the military service, in which case the possessors of the golden one enjoys the additional amount of half-pay connected with it.

On the obverse (Tab. IV. No. 28) is seen the effigy of the Emperor with his name, and on the reverse (No. 27) the inscription: 'Der Tapferkeit' (To valour), surrounded by a_ laurel wreath. It is worn suspended by a ribbon of red and white stripes. At the death of the owner it passes to his heirs, who have the option of exchanging it for money, in which case the War Treasury pays for the golden medal 35 fl. 28 kr. (about £3 10s.); or for the silver, 1 fl. 26 kr. (3s).

3. Cross of Honour for Military Chaplains, was founded | by the Emperor Francis I. on the 26th November, 1801, for spiritual duties performed on the field of battle under perilous circumstances. It is worn suspended by a striped ribbon of red and white, has the form of a square cross, and is edged with trefoil leaves. Upon the round scutcheon are the words: 'Pus Meritis' (For pious services). (Tab. IV. No. 21).

4. The Civil Medal of Honour is of gold and of three different sizes, and is conferred on individuals of both sexes. The largest exhibits, upon the obverse, the effigy of the founder, the Emperor Francis I., with the inscription: ' Franciscus — Austrie Imperator,' while the reverse represents a temple, with the inscription: 'Austria ad imperii dignitatem evecta' (Austria raised to Imperial dignity).