The San Juan County index. (Aztec, N.M.) 1890-19??, 1899-06-30

ne served as A. D.. 9, in the same
campaign, winning there the decora-
lions Of the Legion Of Honor and the
Mediiade.
The English Garter, the Scotch
Thistle and the Irish st. Patrick are
the three most distinguished orders Of
knighthood in the United Kingdom.
That Of st. Patrick was the latest in
stituted, its date of inception being the
year 1888. Like the Order Of the
Thistle, it has always been reserved
for noblemen, natives Of the country,
made worthy of such distinction by
knightly actions, great deeds or high
moral qualities. 1t has also enrolled
such members of the royal family as
it has sought to honor. Previous to
the act Of disestablishment the install
lations we're held in St. Patrick's ca
thedral, where above the several stalls
are still suspended the helmets and
banners of those who held the order
at that period. But the church has
been divorced by the state. and the
ceremony to-day is purely law, and is
performed in the castle, in st. Patrick's
hall. It is a noble chamber. decorated
in white and gold, against which the
crimson chair of state stands out in
bold relief, overshadowed by the six
royal standards. From the walls are
suspended fourteen banners Of the
knights created since the ~seculariza-
ton Of the order.
A blare Of trumpets announced the
opening of the medieval drama, as
the Countess Cadogan and a train Of
ladies', in black and white, came in
and took their seats at each side Of
the chapter table, which was prosaic-
ally covered in blue cloth, and served
with plotting pads. Then the national
anthem heralded the procession of his
excellency, who was Respondent In the
blue-deciel robes and jeweled insignia
Of the grand master Of the order, his
flowing mantle held up by two small
pages similarly ~caparisoned, The vice.
regal STAFF was in attendance, in gilt
tering uniforms, and Sir Arthur Wears,
Ulster king-at-arms, who was an i'm
posing and dignihed figure in a massive
gold-and-crimson tabard and quaint
Elizabethan ruff. At the command,
ulster, summon the knights!" he dis
| appeared, almost instantly reappear-
ing, like a quick-change artist. in a
circling crimson cloak, heading the
knights companions, thirteen in num-
Der, who, walking in order OF seniority.
took their seats IN the left of the
chapter table, where was one vacant
seat soon TO be filled by the hero of
the function. The knights were hab-
I tied in their blue mantles and insignia,
and. with the staf of his excellency,
they made a magnificent tableau. The
roll was then called. her majesty's
warrant read. and, preceded by the Off
clal rod of the gentleman usher, Lord
Charlemont, a time-old official Of the
vlce-royalty, the Earl Of Lucan was
presented to the grand matser. who.
taking a sword from an aide-de-camp.
dubbed the gallant soldier knight"
| He Immediately retired, to return In
a few minutes, summoned by a fam
fare and accompanied by the strains Of
See, the Conquering Hero Comes"
The procession on this occasion was
interesting and striking. The junior
knights, Lords Arran and Roberts.
conducted the earl between them to
the chair Of state. His heraldic prop
critics were severally borne by the diff
ferent officers Of the order. Athlone,
oursuivant Of arms, led in the pageant,
and the banner was held by the Mar
quis OF Hamilton. He himself wore
he uniform Of a lieutenant-colonel of
he First life guards, his medals glis-
iening on his scarlet tunic.
After signing the statutory declara-
ion. read by the chancellor, he was
-obed by the senior knights. Lords Lis
.owel and Kenmare, 20 the accompani-
ment OF the prescribed admonitions.
When finally girded With the sword,
and envelOped in the %ynantle, a fanfare
greeted the unfuriing Of the new
knights banner, me Ulster. in a re-
sonant and clear voice. declared his
titles, as already recited. with the adj
lition Of his new inyestiture. Ulster
then concluded the ceremony by re-
hearsing the dignities Of the knights
present. each knight rising to his name
and remaining standing while the isl
OF his dignities was read. A trying
ordeal. The most nlustrious tale wa.
that Of the heroic Lord Roberts. who
though short Of stature, was second e
6one IN gallant bearing and dignity o.