The Washington herald., 1913-08-09
Court Gossip OF Interesting
Events on 1w0 Continents

tCopyrisht. nl3. h A. .. JasOosns.,
: Some Of the London papers have
been spsculating ~ to the disposal OF
the blue ribbons (Gartsr) which were
vacated by the deaths Of the Duke Of
Absrcorn and Marques Northampton.
These vacancies will not be nlled. a.
they merely absorb the extra creations
which were made at the coronation.
The ordinary Knight Companions" of
the Garter were reduced to the statu-
tory number before the death Of the
Duke Of Sutherland. The Dukes of
Argyll and Fife were the extra crea-
tions in 1911. When the Duke OF Fife
died. the King gave . blue ribbon, for
special reasons. to Sir Edward Grey.
the Foreign Secretary, although there
was no vacancy. It il expected that
the vacant Garter will be given to
Lord Spencer.
have recently given the two ac-
cepted versions of the origin Of the
highest Of all British decorations, the
Garter. But there is an Interesting
theory as to the origin Of the order.
1t IL that the circular ornament repre-
sents the ring. or circle. of the Round
Table. which was the original design
of the Kings Order of Chivalry. where
all members were equal and none sat
in a seat more exalted than another.
That the new order was a continuation
of the old tradition Is evident from
the construction in Windsor Castle of
a round table 200 feet in diameter. for
the entertainments Of the knights and
other royal guests. This great table
has long disappeared. but in the pres
ent Round Tower still exist the tim
bers which supported another round
table and one of contemporary date.
The Duke of Connaught presided at
the formal Inauguration Of Henry Wis
Chapel, in Westminster Abbey. as the
Church of the knights of the Bath. the
King being present at the ceremonial
This chapel at one time was the Church
Of the Bath. but its connection with the
order was allowed to lapse about a hun
dred years ago. Dean Stanley was very
anxious to revive the arrangement: but.
for some reason or other. Queen Victoria
did not favor the project. The banners
Of deceased knights. which have hung
in the chapel since 1872, were removed.
They were replaced by the banners Of
the knights Grand Crosses The dean
Of the Order Of the Bath ofiiciated at
the special services in the abbey. Dean
Stanley always wore the ribbon and in
sigma OF the Bath when preaching, and
he carried IL about the country wrapped
up in an old newspaper
The knights Of the Grand Cross wore
mantles and plumed hats. From this II
appears that the wearing of the greater
part OF the habit is not to be revived.
but the prescription OF the hat is an ad-
vance upon regulations for the ceremony
of the Order Of St Michael and ST.
George, which took place when the
chapel in ST. Paurs first was used for
the annual services OF the order. On
that occasion, II is believed that the
present Lord Aberdeen was the only
knight Grand Cross to wear the cor
rect head-dress with the mantle. all the
others appearing with the mantle alone
worn over the ordinary uniform.
The twentieth century in Britain Is see
ing some remarkably effective revivals,
and the King himself is responsible for
some OF the best among them. The two
professions Of the Knights Of the Garter
in June. 1911. one on the day Of the cere-
mony Of the investiture OF the Prince of
Wales at Windsor, and the other, five
days later. the investiture Of the Prince
at Carnavon. also the ceremony of the
order OF the Thistle in its new chapel at
Edinburgh. all were commendabIe in
stances OF the return toward the older
Ideals, which at one time animated such
ceremonial assemblies. 1t is Interesting
to remark the slow return of a corpor-
ate spirit to bodies of men, which for
many years past has been considered
merely as alphabetical groups Of varying
personal distinction.
On the Continent number Of orders
prescribe some sort OF a habit in their
statutes some Of them being conpara-
lively modern. The older associations of
knights. as a rule, have a complete cos
tune. The less ancient often are con-
tent with specifying the type Of hat and
mantle to be worn by their members;
while others have a uniform Of modern
cut instead OF a medieval imitation or
survival. The only knights who habit
ually wear any part OF their prescribed
apparel in the daily life are the pro-
fessed knights of the Order OF the Hos
pital Of st. John of Jerusalem (Knights
Of Malta) who. when living in commu-
nity. as in Rome. don the mantle before
going into the chapel. much as a gown is
assumed. for the same purpose in col
lege. Most Of the orders insist upon the
wearing Of their habit only upon peculiar
festivals. others prescribe its adoption
for all great ceremonies.
The illustrated press, during the last
few years. has familiarized the public
with the appearance Of the knights OF
ST. Hubert in Bavaria, of the knights Of
the four military orders Of mona site
origin in Spain. Santiago. Alcantara.
Calatrava, and Montesa: of the high
master and knights of the Teutonic Or
der in Austria. of the Prussian Johnni-
tiers, and Of the Knights of the Holy
Sepulchre. These latter wear a mantle
over the modern uniform. according to
the revised statutes promulgated in the
last century. Perhaps the most recently
founded body Of knights to be provided