a memorial of your achievements, and of your admission into this Order, which is solely dedicated to prudence and valour." Beyond this, no particular ceremony of investiture is enjoined. SECTION II. COSTUMES OF THE RANKS IN THE PEERAGE, THE ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD, &c. “ Had Tully himself pronounced one of his orations with a blanket about his shoulders, more people would have laughed at his dress than have admired his eloquence." Spectator. FEW persons will be inclined to deny the powerful influence which dress exercises, not only over the conduct and bearing of mankind in general towards each other, but over the mind and feelings of the individual immediately concerned; for there can be little doubt that the martial spirit of the soldier, even if inherent in the man, is to a certain degree exalted and purified, when he feels that his conduct forms part of that great whole, of which his uniform is the type and symbol. Under the same influence, the judge, in assuming his robes and the other en signs of his office, is by that act reminded that he must then denude himself as much as possible of the personal feelings, and of the frailties, which might impeach the honour and derogate from the authority of justice. By the same esprit du corps, and by the same official zeal, many of the most honourable actions of civil life are guided; and to this highly creditable source may be attributed deeds both of private utility and of public advantage, creditable alike to the class and to the individual. Any circumstance, therefore, which can elevate the standard of virtuous conduct, and improve the general result by a regard to the character of a class, must be in itself beneficial, notwithstanding the gratification of personal vanity which may occasionally ensue, or the other inconsiderable drawbacks neces sarily consequent upon the practical working of any general rule. To no class of distinctions do such sentiments apply with more force than to the decorations which mark the degrees and ranks among titles of honour. As practical manifestations of the Sovereign's favour, as proofs presumptive of loyalty and long service, these insignia were devised and conferred; and "Honours which make the face of Virtue fair, Confirms grown Virtue and inflames the new." The statutes moreover of many of the Orders of Knighthood, and the practice of the dignified professions, have always augmented the interest natu rally attaching to the subject of dress, while the hereditary portions of the titled classes are in the habit, on state occasions, of wearing costumes and decorations which are nowhere described in an accessible or connected form. The details necessarily consequent on such descriptions may, however, be quite uninteresting to some readers, into whose hands this volume may fall; and it has, therefore, been considered expedient to combine into one general article the particulars respecting dress, decorations, and insignia, which might otherwise encumber the descriptive and historical statements that have already been given, respecting the Orders of Knighthood, the Ranks in the Peerage, &c. THE SOVEREIGN AND ROYAL FAMILY. THE Costume officially worn by the Sovereign is of three kinds; first, that worn at the prorogation, dissolution, or opening of parliament; secondly, the coronation robes; and thirdly, the dress appropriated to the Monarch as a member of the Orders of Knighthood, of which latter many portions are worn in combination with the others. The Parliamentary robes consist of a surcoat of crimson velvet, with a mantle and hood of the same materials, furred with ermine, and bordered with gold lace. This costume, together with a cap of state, is always worn in proceeding to a coronation, but at that ceremony the robes above described are ex changed for similar vestments made of purple velvet. These purple robes of state are put on by the Dean of Westminster, and the mantle is known by the name of the imperial mantle, or Dalmatic robe of cloth of gold. Among other emblems of sovereignty, is the ORB or mound, a ball of gold about six inches in diameter, being crossed and encircled with a band or fillet which is thickly studded with diamonds, emeralds, rubies, and pearls. It is surmounted by a large amethyst, on which rests a cross of gold adorned with diamonds; the height of the whole is about eleven inches, vide the woodcut at page 499. It is said to have been of Roman derivation, and to have been first adorned with the cross by Constantine on his conversion to Christianity. Being an emblem of supreme political power, it is only placed in the hands of Kings or Queens Regnant at their coronations, and is not received by Queens consort. In the case of William and Mary, the joint sovereignty which they exercised, sufficiently accounts for the exception, and a second orb was therefore manufactured for their coronation, but has not since been used. The sceptre royal, or sceptre with the cross, is, according to the coronation formula, "the ensign of kingly power and justice." The shaft is of burnished gold ornamented with precious stones; it is surmounted with golden leaves, each bearing the rose, shamrock, and thistle; in the midst of these is a large amethyst in the form of a globe, which is encircled by a fillet of diamonds, and on it rests a cross of precious stones with a table diamond in the centre, vide the woodcut at page 499. It is about two feet nine inches in length. In addition to this, there is a sceptre in which the cross is surmounted by a dove with the wings expanded; the latter is enamelled white; this is termed the virge, the sceptre with the dove, or in the coronation ceremony, "the rod of equity and mercy." The royal crown, or crown of state, is usually formed and worn according to the taste of the existing Monarch. The crown which was made for George IV.'s coronation weighed five pounds and a half, but that worn by her present Majesty weighs little more than three pounds. It is composed of hoops of silver enclosing a cap of deep purple velvet; these hoops are completely covered with precious stones, and are surmounted by an orb, on the top which is a Maltese cross of brilliants. The rim of the crown is ornamented with crosses and fleurs-de lis alternately. The form of crown which is seen on the royal carriages as a portion of the royal arms is figured at page 499. THE PRINCE OF WALES. At the coronation, the mantle which has usually been worn by a Prince of Wales, when such a member of the royal family existed, is doubled below the elbow with ermine, spotted diamond-wise. His parliamentary robes are adorned with five guards of ermine at equal distances and gold lace above each guard. His coronet is as usual of gold, and consists of Maltese crosses and fleurs-de-lis alternately, surmounted by one arch, |