The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-06

his degradation must take place officially
before he can be punished for the crime
committed. Full court is held, in pres
ence OF which the president make this
announcement: You have failed in
honor; l declare in the name of the Lee
glon that you have ceased to be member
of itn
The inner administration and routine of
the order is intrusted to grand chan
ceiior, general secretary and q council of
members, whose duty it is TO consider and
thoroughly examine into every proposal
LOT the admission of a new member and
every application for promotion to a
higher rank
:. On admittance to the order each chevs-
Her pays dues amounting to % francs,
~hen arriving at the grade OF officer 30
irshcs, or commander so francs, of grand
oificer 10 francs, and of grand cross 200
francs. taxes are also levied upon meIn-
bers Tor the different modes in which they
wear the decoration; for an ordinary but
toh-hoie' 100 francs is paid; for wearing
the ribbon around the neck $50 francs. and
with the star attached 200 francs. When
worn en- echarpe, across the breast, 800
francs is paid.
As to the present numerical strength of
the membership the following figures,
taken from a recent enumeration, will
snow mat In most ofshe higher grades the
limitation fixed in 1857 mas been exceeded.
Inc numbers were 80 wearers of the grand
cross, 20 grand officers, 100 command
ers, o,8l9 officers and At, 1874 chevaliers.
In 1873 the administration recognized
the tact that the membership was inereas-
ing lar too rapidly. A proposal was made,
and Tor time carried out, that the deco
ration should be conferred for military
services only, and acts of bravery on the
Bntd IF
heiu OF battle. AS a compromise how
ever, 1t was eventually arranged that only
one nomination should be considered for
every two extinctions through death or
other cause, and special session is now
held by the council AT the end of each six
months for the consideration of such va
cancies and appointments.
And now as to the decoration itself. the
outward and visible sign of membership in
the Legion of Honor, which can be worn
on gaa-days" and state occasions. 1t is
IN the form OF a star with five double rays,
surmounted by crown. The center of
the star, surrounded by branches of oak
and laurel intertwIned, bears on one side
the bust OF Napoleon. with the inscription,
napoleon, E.mpereHr DIES FTancGiS, and on
the reverse the imperial eagle with the.
device. "UOnnenr al Poiiie." Attached to a
red ribbon il Is worn by chevallers on the
lett breast, and in the same manner by
officers, save that in their case a small
rosette is joined TO the scarlet ribbon. By
commanders it is carried en- saut0ir,
around the neck, the ribbon being much
broader than that of the lower grades.
Grand officers wear the ribbon on the
right breast, the star in their case being
studded with diamonds they are also en-
titled to wear separate decoration in the
form OF a cross. privilege which is shared
by the higher order of the grand cross MEM
bers of which are privileged 20 wear their
ribbon ea ccharpe. that is crosswise on the
breast. passing over the right shoulder.
On the lett breast. when in full order of
regalIa, tue latter class can also carry a
diamond studded plaque similar to that of
he grand officers.
AS was said at the commencement of
this letter, the real home of the Legion of
Honor is a magnificent ediice--internaliy
at least-in the Rue de Lille. The first
building was originally palace, built by
the celebrated architect Rousseau for
foreign potentate, Prince Salm-Salm,
about the year 1855. The building being
unoccupied at the time Of the foundation
of the order by the first Napoleon, it was
chosen as an executive mansion. In the
month of May, 1871. when the commune
was at its height, ii was burnt down. In
1873. when the republic was once more
firmly established, general subscription
was levied on all members OF the order and
the palace rebuilt on the same site and
plans as the former building, and with as
many of the Old decorations as could be
utilized. In the man hall is mag
niiicent frescoed ceiling by Seraphin Va
noni while In the reception hall are SIX
panels by Lansyer, Navlet, Desgotfe, Char
din and Paul Fiandrin. Each chamber is
endowed with valuable paintings and
sculptures. and on the cupola of the large
salon is painting by Maillot having for
its subject the ''Apotheosis of Napoleon
the First" Sir Richard Wallace, the
natural son of the late Marquis of Hert-
ford presented to the Palas some rare old
candeiabra and a magnificent clock. On
either side of the entrance hall are cases
containing representa- atoms of all the prin-
cipal decorations of the world, and on the
walls is inscribed the history of the order
since its foundation. On desk at the en-
trance to the grand chancellor's hall lies
the Lure dor, in which are written on
parchment the names of all subscribers TO
the patriotic fund, by means of which the
Palais was rebuilt.
Not the least important off-shoots of the
order are three ntGisons d'educdtion or pri-
vate schools. They are located respec-
lively at Saint Dennis, Ecouen and Loges,
and provide home and education for the
orphan daughters of members of the
order. BY their means at least 800 girls,
whose age is from 8 to is, are cared for
and mentally equipped for their later
struggle in life.