New-York tribune., 1906-10-24
ORDER FOUNDED BY NAPOLEON =

Several letters have reached me from readers ask
ing for information regarding the so-called Palmes
koadeniQues bestowed by the French government
In recognition OF eminent Services to the cause of
an and literature The history of Frances Legion
OF Honor. well the insignia. is familiar TO
most Americans. but the other orders OF knighthood
Of France less known in this country. It may
therefore be Of interest TO state that Order of
the Palmes Academiques was created by Emperor
Napoleon nearly one hundred years ago, that is
70 say in 1905 and consists of two classes In the
lower one the insignia Is formed Of two silver palm
leaves united at top and bottom into the shape OF
oval wreath and suspended by volet ribbon In
The higher class the palm leaves are of gold and
there IS rosette to the violet ribbon. repro
ouction OF this particular insignia viii be found
on the utls page Of Gray Mist" novel recently
Issued by the Harpers from the pen OF the author
of The Martyrdom of Empress" who received
the higher class OF this distinction last summer. In
recognition Of the portrayals OF Breton life In her
books The members Of the higher class are known
as "Onlciers de rOrdre de rInstruotion Publique."
while the knights OF the second class are styled
"OHiciers de academic" The statutes of the order
amended by Napoleon III in 1898 and again by
the republic IN 1886. 1t is granted by the Chief
Of the State on the nomination of the Minister Of
Public Instruction, and in the cases Of Frenchmen
I'VE years possession Of the silver palms is requ-
cite before there be any promotion to the high
er grade While the silver palm leaves have been
Bestowed on number OF French women. particu-
lsrly upon those who have devoted their entire
existence 10 the direction of great philanthropc
tablishments and educational institutions OF the
state the gold palm leaves rarely awarded to
the fair sex and the authoress above mentioned is
the only feminine recipient in this country OF this
distinction.
COUNTESS INFATUATES TWO MONARCHS.
Although Count stackelberg was of the gen
erals who. at the close OF the with Japan.
had & greater number OF defeats and disasters to
MS credit than any other Russian commander. he
continues TO enjoy the favor OF the Gear, and, IN
deed. Of most Of the members OF the reigning
house Of Romano8. This is ascribed by the great
world at St Petersburg TO his WIFE, who. in spite
of her fifty years OF age, fs still remarkably
handsome and wonderfully preserved woman In
society on the banks Of the Neva she goes by the
name OF La CiniseiH." And hereby hangs tale
1t was in 1873 that the famous Ciniselh
Circus made its appearance at St Petersburg
ana at acquired a great vogue, partly by
reason Of the superb horses ridden by the daughter
of the proprietor OF the circus, and presented to
her by the late King Humbert but still more By
reason OF the beauty of the daughter herself. Mile
Dora Cinseu. That she was the heroine Of a
Romance in which the King Of Italy had figured,
thd the fact that Count Nicholas Esterhazy and
Count Ssndor Karoyi had fought a bloody duel at
Budapest on her account. naturally served to rem
Ger her additionally interesting and soon nearly
al the men ST Petersburg were head over ears
u love with the circus rider who was nicknamed
ue Madonna in Riding Habit"
among her admirers old Prince Gortchakof
we Chancellor of the empire. who remained until
.Ae end Of his days a most terrible roue When the
.'Fely Dora declined listen TO him. he caused
Nf father 10 be arrested under some pretext or
Hhother. and gave her to understand that unless
sle came herself 10 beg for HE release he would
Oe sent Of TO the mines OF Siberia Dora. In
s'esd OF going the prince, went straight TO
alexander H. who not only expressed his amaze
H1eLt at her striking resemblance TO the famous
ciDanato Madonna but likewise gave orders for
ae Immediate release Of her father, announcing
t.at ne himself would attend the performance at
Se circus that evening. He came, and forced
fHhce Gortchakoff 10 accompany him and TO make
s.'erous pecunisry amends TO old Ciniseln for hav
"s locked him I'D.
-ist was the beginning OF a warm friendship
ee"een Dora and the Emperor. and IT his
s.e-oe-camp. Count Stackelberg, who invari-
r @y deputed by the Emperor TO convey to her his
sssees and TO act as her escort Amazing as 1t
10y appear. the lovely Dora refused all monetary