exist: still, no changes in the Order of the Garter have affected the pre-eminence of its dignity and reputation. Illustrious now as ever, and foremost in rank and honour in our own country, the GARTER is second to no knightly Order in the world. The MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE GARTER consists of the SOVEREIGN and Twenty-five KNIGHTS COMPANIONS, of whom the PRINCE OF WALES always is one. By a Statute of the year 1805, the Order includes such lineal descendants of GEORGE III. as may be elected: and still more recent statutes have provided for the admission of foreign Sovereigns, and also of certain “Extra Knights,” who are elected “Companions” as vacancies occur. The OFFICERS of the Order are--The _Prelate_, the Bishop of Winchester: the _Chancellor_, the Bishop of Oxford: the _Registrar_, the Dean of Windsor: the _Herald_, Garter King of Arms: and, the _Usher of the Black Rod_. Knights of the Garter place the initials “K.G.” after their names; and these letters take precedence of all other titles, those of Royalty alone excepted. The Stalls of the Knights are in the choir of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where their Garter-plates are fixed, and their Banners are displayed. The INSIGNIA of the Order of the Garter are--The _Garter_ itself, of a light blue originally, now of a dark blue, with border, buckle, and pendant of gold. On it, in golden letters, the _Motto_--HONI . SOIT . QVI . MAL . Y . PENSE--“Dishonour to him who thinks ill of it;” and not, as it is commonly rendered, “Evil to him that evil thinks.” The Badge of the Order is circular, and formed of a buckled Garter enclosing a Shield of St. George, the whole blazoned in the proper tinctures: it is worn on the left shoulder of the blue velvet Mantle. When irradiated with eight rays of silver or diamonds, a device resembling the Badge in every respect, except that the cross of St. George is enclosed within the Garter without being charged on a Shield, forms the _Star_ of the Order. The _Collar_, of gold enamelled, is formed of twelve buckled Garters, each encircling a Tudor Rose, and as many knots of intertwined cords. Attached to this Collar is the _George_--a mounted figure of the Saint in the act of trampling down the dragon and piercing him with his lance. The Collar and George were added to the Insignia by HENRY VII. [Illustration: No. 434.--The Lesser George, of the Garter.]