left side of the breast, an octagonal star partly of gold and partly of silver. Upon this star is placed the white cross with gold mountings and balls, while the round gold middle exhibits a green rue crown. This scutcheon is encompassed by a blue ring with the golden inscription: 'Fideliter et constanter,' and is, in its turn, surrounded by a green oaken wreath, intertwined with golden ribbons; this wreath is omitted in the stars presented to foreigners.
b. For the Commanders first class, the badge is the same cross as the former, and is worn round the neck suspended by a similar ribbon, about one and a half inches wide, while the cross on the left side of the breast is deficient of the star.
c. For the Commanders second class, the badge is the same cross and ribbon round the neck, but without the cross on the breast.
d. For the Knights, the same cross, but of smaller size, worn at the button-hole, or on the left side of the breast, by a ribbon about one inch wide.
The silver Cross of Merit, contains on the obverse, the effigy of Ernest the Pious, and, on the reverse, the arms and motto of the Order.
The silver Medal of Merit shows upon the obverse the effigy of the founder of the line, by which it is distributed, while the reverse exhibits the cross and legend of the Order.
MEDALS AND DECORATIONS OF HONOUR.
1. Cross of distinguished Service, for officers of the Saxe-Altenburg troops, was instituted by Joseph Frederick Ernest, on the 1st Januury, 1836, for twenty-five years' service (years of war counting double, and those on leave
