The BADGES of the civil grand crosses, cominanders, and knights are also alike, only differing in size, having a crown upon the upper limb of the cross (without the swords), by which it is suspended, and a wreath of oak-leaves instead of laurels. It is worn on grand occasions suspended from the collar (n. 1); but on ordinary occasions it is worn pendent from a skyblue riband scarfwise. Commanders suspend it by a sky-blue riband worn round the neck, and knights by a riband and gold buckle from the button-hole.

The STAR worn by the military grand crosses is of eight points, &c., with the motto, " NEC ASPERA TERRENT," n. 3. That worn by the civil grand crosses only differs in the omission of the swords, and a wreath of oakleaves being substituted for laurel.

The star of the civil commanders differs from the last. See Pl. xxiii., n. 4.

That of the military commanders is the same, with the addition of the swords, and changing the oak into laurel-leaves.

THE MOST DISTINGUISHED ORDER OF ST. MICHAEL

AND ST. GEORGE

Was also instituted by his majesty George IV., in 1818, in commemoration of the united states of the Ionian Islands being placed under his sovereign protectorship.

The order is composed of three classes, and consists of the sovereign, a grand-master, a first and principal knight grand cross, eight grand crosses, twelve knights commanders, and twenty-four knights, exclusive of British subjects holding high and confidential employ in the service of the united states of Malta.

The COLLAR and Badge (Pl. xxIII., n. 1 and 2) are worn round the neck on grand occasions; but ordinarily the badge is worn pendent from a red riband with blue edges.

The STAR worn by the knights grand crosses is of exquisite taste, and can only be understood by reference to Pl. xxiii., n. 3. That worn by the knights commanders is of a similar description, but of less beauty. Pl. XXIII., fig. 4. Motto, AUSPICIUM MELIORIS ÆVI."

THE MOST EXALTED ORDER OF THE STAR OF INDIA (K.S.I.)

This order was instituted by her present Majesty, 23rd of February, 1861. It consists of the sovereign, a grand-master (the governor-general of India for the time being), and twenty-five knights, together with such extra or honorary knights as the crown shall from time to time appoint. The statutes provide that it shall be competent for the sovereign to confer the dignity of knight of the order upon such princes and chiefs of India as shall entitle themselves to her Majesty's favour, and on such of her Majesty's British subjects as shall render important and loyal services to the Indian Empire. The STAR, to be worn on the left breast, is formed of wavy rays of gold issuing from the centre, having thereon a star of five points in diamonds, encircled by a light-blue enamelled riband (on which the points rest) tied at the ends, and inscribed with the motto, "HEAVEN'S LIGHT OUR GUIDE," also in diamonds. (Vide Frontispiece.)

The COLLAR is composed of the united red and white historic roses of England, and the lotus flower of India, between them two palm branches tied together in saltire, and in the centre an imperial crown all of gold

richly enamelled in their proper colours, and connected by a double chain of gold.

The BADGE worn as a pendent to the collar, or to the riband when the collar is not worn, consists of an onyx cameo of her Majesty's head in profile, set in a perforated and ornamented oval containing the motto of the order, surmounted by a star of five points all in diamonds.

The riband is of pale blue, with a white stripe towards each edge.

KNIGHTS-BANNERETS

This degree of knighthood is of very ancient date. It was conferred in England as early as the reign of Edward I., and bestowed on persons distinguished for their gallantry by the king (or his general, which was very rare), at the head of his army, drawn up in battalia, after a victory, under the royal standard displayed, attended by all the field-officers and nobility of the court then in the army.

Knights-bannerets took place before the younger sons of all viscounts and barons, and also preceded baronets, and were allowed to bear their arms with supporters, which is denied to all others under the degree of a baron, unless they be knights grand crosses of any of the established orders.

In the year 1773, at a review of the royal navy at Portsmouth, his majesty George III. conferred this honourable title on several flag-officers, viz., Admirals Pye and Sprye, and on Captains Knight, Bickerton, and Vernon. But this was not according to the original institution, viz., "by the king in person, at the head of his army, under the royal banner displayed, on occasion of some glorious victory."

KNIGHTS BACHELORS.

This honour was formerly in very high esteem; but the original institution being perverted, it is now conferred indiscriminately upon gownsmen, burghers, physicians, and others, by the sovereign's lightly touching the person, who is then kneeling, on the right shoulder with a drawn sword, and saying, "Rise, Sir -," mentioning the Christian name.

Originally the qualifications for it were such, that no trader could be created, nor any one of a servile condition. It was then requisite that he should be brave, expert, well-behaved, and of good morals. A candidate for knighthood being approved of, he presented himself in the church, confessed his sins, had absolution given him; he heard mass, watched his arms all night, placed his sword on the altar, which was returned by the priest, who gave him his benediction; the sacrament was administered to him, and, having bathed, he was dressed in rich robes, and his spurs and sword put on. He then appeared before his chief, who dubbed him a knight, after the same manner, in fact, as the knights bachelors are at this time made. The whole ceremony then concluded with feasting and rejoicing.

Knighthood is not hereditary, but acquired. It does not come into the world with a man, like nobility; nor can it be revoked. It was anciently the custom to knight every man of rank and fortune, that he might be qualified to give challenges, to fight in the lists, and to perform feats of arms. The sons of kings, and kings themselves, with all other sovereigns, in former days had knighthood conferred on them as a mark of honour.

They were usually knighted at their baptism, or marriage, at their coronation, or before battle.*

ESQUIRE.

A title of honour above a gentleman and below a knight. This appellation, termed in Latin armiger, or scutarius, served anciently to denote such as were bearers of arms, or carried the shield; and was accordingly considered as a title of office only, until the reign of Richard II.; though little mention is made of this, or the addition of gentleman, in ancient deeds, till the time of Henry V., when, by a statute in the first year of that monarch, it was enacted, that in all cases where process of outlawry lay, the additions of the estate, degree, or profession of the defendant should be inserted.

This statute having made it necessary to ascertain who was entitled to this degree, it was laid down as a general rule, that there were seven sorts of esquires; viz.:

1st. Esquires of the king's body, limited to the number of four; who kept the door of the king's bedchamber, when he pleased to go to bed, walked at a coronation, and had precedence of all knights' younger sons. They are now disused.

2dly. The eldest sons of knights, and their eldest sons successively.

* No British subject is allowed to wear the insignia of any foreign order, without first obtaining her Majesty's permission; and no licence or permission subsequent to March, 1813, to wear the insignia of those orders in England, authorises the assumption of any style, appellation, rank, precedence, privilege &c., appertaining to a knight bachelor of the United Kingdom.