The New International Encyclopædia/Southern Cross, Order of the

SOUTHERN CROSS, Order of the. The highest Brazilian order, founded by Dom Pedro I. in 1822, in commemoration of his accession to the throne. The order has four classes, and until 1889 the members received pensions. The decoration is a white enameled cross of five arms, with a wreath of coffee and tobacco leaves. The effigy of Dom Pedro on the medallion is surrounded by the inscription Petrus I., Brasiliæ Imperator. On the reverse is a cross composed of nineteen stars, with the words Bene Merentium Præmium. The decoration is suspended from a crown and is worn on a blue ribbon.