The herald., 1894-01-14

after having consulted the auspices, de-
termined to lead off his troops against
the enemy, red flag was displayed
from a spear on the pr@torium as sig
nal to prepare for battle. The standard
of Augustus was globe, to indicate his
conquest OF the world. The Etruscans
were the first who adopted the eagle as
the svmbol OF royal power and bore its
image as u standard at the head of their
armies. From the time of Marius it was
the principal emblem OF the Roman re-
public and the only standard OF the
legions. 1t was represented with out
spread wings. and was of silver until
the time of HadriaD, who made it of
gold.
The dou ble-hea eagle was in use
among the Byzantine emperors to indi-
cate their claim to the empire OF the
east and west. From the Roman stand
ard is derived the numerous brood OF
white. black and red eagles, with single
or double heads, which are borne on 30
many of the standards of modern
Europe. The countries they represent
claim to be fragments of the great
Roman empire.
The Labarum OF Constantine the
Great, which he had made in commemo-
ration of hia supposed vision of shin
ing cross in the heavens, is believed to
have been the first military standard
emblszoned with the cross. 1t was
preserved for many years and brought
forward at the head Of the armies OF
the emperor on important occasions as
the palladium OF the empire. Its safety
was intrusted to so guards of approved
valor and fidelity. Their station was
marked by honors and emoluments, and
some fortunate accidents introduced the
belief that they we're secure from the
darts of the enemy. After being dis
PLAYED by the Christian emperors who
succeeded Constantine, the labarum
was finally deposited as valuable but
useless relic in the palace Of CONSTANT
nople.
Want OF time forbids description and
detailed account of the long list OF flags
and symbols used by the many half
civilized, bsrbsrous aud savage nations
of the globe, and those only will be
spoken OF which are familiar to US
through association or our books.
A standard of Cortez used at the cap
ture OF the City of Mexico, 1919, is now
preserved in the national museum of
that capital. The standard has been
placed in q frame and under glass for
preservation, being much worn and
faded. 1t is of red dsmask. On the
front side is painted beautiful figure
OF the most holy Mary, with crown of
gold, and surrounded by IL stars, her
hands joined as if in prayer to her most
holy Son to protect and strengthen the
Spaniards in conquering the idolatrous
empire to the Catholic faith. On the
reverse side are painted the roval arms
of CASTLE and Leon. THIS is undoubt-
edly the Oldest flag in existence and its
authenticity is fully sustained by a
series of accounts, beginning with that
of Bernal Disz.
The embroidery Of flags afforded oc-
cupation and amusement to the ladies
OF the middle ages; thence their value
became enhanced, and it was highly
shameful for a knight not to defend to
the death what the hands OF his mis-
tress had wrought. From Spanish
chronicles we learn that the standard
of Cid was green. During the famous
engagement. between the forces OF ARA
gon and CASTLE the brave Count
Gomez Gonzales stood his ground
to the last and died on the
field of battle. His standard-bearer, a
gentleman of the house of Olea, after
having his horse killed under him. and
both hands cut off By saber strokes fell
beside his master, still clasping the
standard in his arms. and repeating his
war cry of "Oles for CASTLE !"
The age of chivalry is full of accounts
of flags and banners. Every school boy
has read the ringing lines OF Macaulay
describing the battle OF Ivry; and Sir
Walter Scott makes Marmion exclaim
in his dying hour:
Redeem my pennon. charge again!
Cry Marmion to the rescue"
FLAGS OF MODERN EURoPE-GERNANY.
The most recent flag added to the
family Of European nations is the black,
red and gold flag of the German en-
pire, which is said to have originated in
the time of Barbarossa. Frederick Will
helm II was the author of the motto
bearing the meaning of the German
standard:
From night, through blood. to light"
The Emperor William in 1873, ordered
all the Prussian regiments to state in
detail the history of their regimentsl
colors, and to send in carefully prepared
drawings and paintings of them, de-
signing a history of all the Prussian
flags should be compiled under his own
supervision.
ITALY.
In May, 1S4S, when the italian tri-
colored banner
"Red, for the patriots blood;
Green, for the martyrs crown;
White, for the dew and tbs rime,
When the morning OF God comes down."
was consecrated by the patriarch OF
Venice, in that city, the American con-
sui was the only foreign diplomat invit-
ed to be present. In the course of the
ceremonies the commander OF the troops
called: Attention Honor to the flag
of the United States of America 7" at
which the multitude shouted their ap-
plause with cries of "Long live our 81 g.
ter republic %
In the armory at Venice are some
very interesting objects. and none more
30 than the great standard of the Turk
ish admiral, made Of crimson silk, taken
at the battle of Lepsnto, October 7,
l75l, and which Cervantes may have
grasped with his unwounded hand. A
few fragments of some of the very gal.
leys that were engaged in that memora-
BILE combat are also preserved there.
FRANCE.
On the 18th of February, 1894 the
French assembly decreed that the ma
tionsl flag should be formed OF the
three national colors in thraa hands