The morning times., 1895-10-13

devotion, they are rewarded with stars
and crosses with which TO decorate their
frock fronts.
What a good idea 10 have a few stars,
medals, etc, over here for the presidents
wife to bestow in recognition OF brilliant
achievements, whether of personal cour.
age, patriotic devotion, or works of
genius.
Prussia has several decorations for
women. The oldest is the order OF the
swan, founded in f44O. It's object is the
relief of distress generally. The badge
Is or gold with swan engraved upon
it, and the motto is, God be with you"
The Order OF Louise, named for Prus-
sia's most beautiful queen, bestows its
badges, of the first class. to women for
meritorious service in nursing the wounded
IN war, of the second class, to women dis
tingushed for philaDthropic work generally.
The first woman who received the Iron
Cross OF Prussia was Miss Florence Lees.
who was superintendent of the ambulance
OF the crown princess now the Dowager
Empress Frederick. Miss Lees was an
EnGlshwoDian; she was with the Tenth
Prussian corps before Metz.
In France the Legion of Honor accords
the reward of merit to men and women
alike. II was founded by Napoleon |, in
1904; within few years three women
have been decorated with the button.
SAXON AND PERSIAN DECORATIONS.
A Maltese cross OF white enamel. edged
with gold and horn, ON scarf Of violet
ribbon, is the decoration presented by the
Order of Sidonia, which was founded
in 1871 by King John of Saxony. in mem
ory of his queen. 1t is designed espe-
ciaily for the reward of women's services
in war.
The Shah OF Persia has conferred the
Order of the Sun on several women Mad
anne AicMahon among tbe number.
The Sultan of Turkey has been very
generous in the bestowal of decorations
especially honoring American women, Mrs
Whitelaw Reid for her generosity and be-
nevoence to the sick in hospitals when she
was visiting in the East, and Mrs. Charles
Henrotin, of Chicago. for the aid she
rendered Turkey during the Columbian
Exposition. For her assistance tn the
Turkish representatives the Sultan has
made her member OF the Order of Chefa-
kat. In sending the decoration the Sultan
conveyed through his minister at Washing
ton his sense Of everlasting gratitude.
Other American women who count stars
and crosses glittering with diamonds
among their treasures are Lady Randolph
Churchill, who has been honored by the
Queen with Order of the Crown OF India
and Mrs Ronalds, a wellknown member
OF the American colony in London The
Duke OF Saxe-C oburg -Gotha has conferred
uponher the cross of the Order Pour Merite,
"for her kindness to struggling musicians
of all nationalities.'
Outside of women OF imperial or royal
rank, Minnie Hawk is, perhaps. the most
decorated woman in Europe. Here is a
list of the orders OF honors conferred
upon her:
Gold medal of Merit from the king of
the Belgians, 1879: Ladies Order OF
Benevelence from the King CT Srain, 1891:
gold medal with crown from the reigning
Duke of SaXe-AHenberg, Germany. 1882;
Russian Red Cross for ladies' from the En-
peror OF Russia, 1884: cross of merit for
art ard science, frcm the reisning Duke of
axe-Meiningen, Germany, 1898.
She also possesses the decoration of
officer of the Order of Ell Basto del
Liberlador from the President of yene-
zuela, 1887.
Decoration of Officer d'A cademie Fran
caisc from the French government. 1898.
Order of the Crown of Johore from the
Sultan of Johore. India, 1894
Several of these orders are set in bril-
liants and even without them they are
handsome in the way of ornament
One reason of Madame Hauk's great
popularity is her versatility in that she
sings with equal ease in all of her oper-
attic roles in the Italian, German, French
and English languages. This. it is said,
no other prima donna can do.
ELEANOR LEXINGTON.