The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-09-01
KING EDWARDS ORDERS.
The Origin. Romance and Etiquette
of the Various Decorations Worn |
by His Majesty.


When King Edward goes abroad
amongst his subjects on occasions Of
ceremony. the least observant eye will
note some details of the insignia he
wears. Everyone Is aware that the
emblerls of an order of knighthoOd
are not restricted to one portion Of
the royal person; they may be worn
on the right or left shoulder, across
the bosom, on the left breast, around
the neck, or suspended at the hip.
1t Is probable that the broad blue
ribbon of the Garter Is familiar to
all, but that 1t is equally possible to
wear the badge Of the Garter round
the neck. on the left shoulder, on the
breast or encircling the left leg may
not be generally known.
1t has been said that the desire to
possess honorary distinction has
shown itself in various shapes from
very remote times. and to be able to
wear them on the person as evidence
Of some particular qualification in the
individual has been an object of hh-
man ambition almost from time i'm
memorial. The sovereign, naturally
leads the way; he is the first man in
the state; he is himself the fountain
of honor. But with the accumua-
ton IF honorable decorations at all
the courts of Europe it grew impos-
sible for one individual to wear all
the chains, ribbons, medals and cross
es of which King Edward is the
recipient. Consequently, a selection
only can be worn, and this selection
is governed by His Majesty's predi-.
lections and the nature of the occa-
sion. Thus, at purely British func-
ton, the display of the insignia of
British orders and of British decora-
tions is naturally the rule.
But first of all let us see what the
insignia of an order generally consist
Of. In the case of the order of great
est distinction, the Garter, they con-
sist first of habit collar, badge, star
and the garter. In what is called a
full chapter of the order, of the com
plete habit and insignia His Majesty
would wear a collar, from which is
the George" Ga gold and
enameled representation of the st.
George and the Dragon), together
with the star (worn on the left
breast). This full chapter of the
habit Is worn only on certain days,
known as collar days" On ordinary
occasions--a levee or a court His
Majesty wears the ribbon over the
left shoulder, from which is suspend
ed the lesser George Can oval badge,
with a representation of st. George
and the Dragon), together with the
star. The garter, which is worn only
with breeches and bears the motto
of the order-'Honi soft qui NAL y
pense"--is worn below the knee on
the left leg.
The badges have grown so numer-
Gus 1t has been found necessary to
fasten the small ones issued to Com
panions of any order in closely
packed row upon the left breast. BY
this means II is possible for His Ma
jesty to wear great many orders |
and decorations. For, in addition to |
a row of, say, nine on the breast, he |
can carry four stars below, a ribbon |
a badge across his breast,
another around his neck, another
fastened to his right shoulder, and
another to his left, making in all II
decorations which King Edward VII
can wear at once, whereas King Ed
ward vi could only have worn three
or four.--Strand Magazine.