high Orders of Germany. After the extinction of the Louis line of Bavaria, the Elector Charles Theodore adopted it (1778) as a Palatinate-Bavarian institution, while his successor Maximilian Joseph sanctioned it as a royal Bavarian Order, only second in rank to that of St. Hubert. King Louis made some alterations in the constitution in 1827.
The King is the Grand Master while the Crown Prince is first Grand Prior, and the next Prince second Grand Prior. The Chapter comprises six Knights of the Grand Cross, twelve Commanders, and an unlimited number of Knights, some of whom are nominated by the Grand Master as Honorary Knights of the Grand Cross.
Since 1741, a spiritual class has been added, consisting of a Bishop, a Provost, four Deans, and a number of Chaplains, who enjoy the distinction of Papal House Prelates. This class has been instituted and confirmed by the Bulls of Popes Benedict XIV. (6th October, 1741), and Pius VI. (30th April, 1782). The candidates must prove their Catholic descent, and the Order consists of two languages: the German and a foreign; the latter, however, counts only about one third of the members. The possession of another Order excludes the reception of this, without the special permission of the Grand Master. In the oath, the candidates confess to believe 'in the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin without the original, or birth-sin." The Order celebrates, therefore, besides its anniversary, the 24th April, the 8th December, as the festival of the Holy Conception of the Virgin. The costume on these occasions consists of a long robe of bright blue velvet, with a train and without sleeves, more or less embroidered with silver, lined with white satin or Gros-de-Naples, and with a velvet collar of the same colour. Upon this robe is the star of the Order embroidered on the left side (Plate 2. Tab. I. No. 5). Beneath is worn an undergarment opening by buttons
