The Washington herald., 1909-05-02

and Albert founded in lS52, explains it
self The third British wOman-s order
is that Of the Royal Red Cross. founded
just fifty years ago as an ackn0wledg-
ment Of services III nursing the sick and
wounded. King Edward Of England only
recently invested the Queen or Italy on
account Of her work among the sick and
dying at Nessina with this order
Noble work IL the cause OF humanity
entitled a woman to the Order Of Sidonia.
established in $50 by King John Of Sax
Ony. After the Franco-Prussian war the
Savice Cross for Women and Girls was
established in recognition Of their aid
during the war In England there are
three other orders confined TO women. In
IS1l when Queen Victoria assumed the
title Of Empress Of India. she founded the
Imperial order Of the Crown of India
which may be conferred upon princessas
OF the royal house and wives and female
relatives Of Indian princes, and OF the
holders Of high Office In India. such as
the viceroy and commander-in-Chief. and
others The order Of Merit instituted
by King Edward in 1892 is really mans
order. but Il was conferred on Miss Flor
eHce Nightingale. Quite one Of the most
exclusive orders is that Of Maria Louisa
OF spain. the membership OF which is
confined 10 the ladies OF the royal house
and thirty ladies Of noble lineage The
Order OF Isabella Of Portugal is confer
red on those who minister to the wants
Of the poor.
The Far East also boasts its dscora-
tions. Nishaui Shesskat was organized
TO commemorate the work Of distinguish
ed English women during the Russo
Turkish war Abdul Hamid founded the
order in 1873 as a mark Of gratitude. and
al once conferred it upon Lady Burdett-
Coutts and Lady Iayard. The mysterious
meaning OF the order is pity. mercy. and
kindness. Mrs Roosevelt has also been
decorated with this order at the hands
Of the Turkish Sultan, the Greek clti-
zens Of this country protesting at the
time against her accepting the medal
There are but three women who have
the grand Gordon Of the Legion Of Honor
they are the Queen Of Holland. her
mother. Queen Emma. and dowager
Queen Christina Of Spain. Adeiina Patti
Is 2 knight OF the French Legion of
Honor, and quite a number Of actresses
have received the order known as that
OF "Ofneer Of the Academy" which con-
sists of a couple Of small silver palm
leaves attached 10 q bit OF violet ribbon.
OF all the orders Of Bnighthood IN the
old world the most remar kabIe and most
unique IS undoubtedly the Order OF the
Swan or which there Is but one men,
Der. the German Empress, IN her CAPACITY !
as Queen Of Prussia. 1t was founded in /
143 by Elector Frederick II Of Branden- /
burg. surnamed the Iron Jawed." In /
tended for both men and women. II fell
into allegiance at the time OF the Reforma- /
ton and was revived in the early part Of 1
the last century by the then King of 4
Prussia in favor OF Queen Louise The 4
revised statute provided that its member
ship should be restricted exclusively 70 1
the Queens Of Prussia for the time being. I
It has been worn in turn By Queen I
Louise. by her daughter-in-Iav. Queen 1
Elizabeth: by the late Empress Augusta. I
and the late Empress Frederick. and is 4
now worn by the German Empress, as i
Queen OF Prussia The insignia consists /
Of gold chain. in which diamonds alter
nate with ruby hearts. TO which is sus-
pended 8 medallion Of the Madonna and 1
Child, 10 which IN turn is hung a silver !
swan. surrounded by a species OF ring
OF frame OF exquisite pearls. With this
goes star worn on the left shoulder. on
which the swan, the Madonna. and thet
Saviour are represented Should the
present Empress at any moraent become
a widow she would be compelled BY the
statutes Of the order TO surrender the
insignia and her membership Of the Swan
TO the present crown princess.