Pensioned members is the only class, the number of which is limited. Every member has to pay an entrance fee at his nomination, according to the Order and class of his reception. The sums thus received pass into the Exchequer, established for invalid officers. Foreigners, Circassians, and all those who receive the decoration adorned with brilliants, are exempt from the tax.
St. Michael's day (8th November), is fixed for the general festival of the Orders. On this day, all the Knights domiciled at St. Petersburg and Moscow, elect six members of every Order to serve in the managing committee of the charitable institutions existing in the two capitals.
With the exception of active service in Siberia and Circassia or some peculiar merit of distinction, when the term of service is shortend by five years, no Order is conferred on any one who has not been fifteen years in the army. Every Order confers a certain rank, and imposes certain duties on the member.
The decorations are classified in degrees, so that no one can be favoured with a higher Order without first possessing the inferior ones. Deviations from this rule are, however, of frequent occurrence. By deeds of crime or disgrace, the owner forfeits the decoration. Degraded officers or suspended clergymen can only resume the decoration with the resumption of their degree or office.
The Academy of Science at St. Petersburg is bound to publish every five years, a complete list of the members of all the Orders.
Besides the Orders and medals, there exists in Russia a variety of other decorations, or badges of honour. For the last forty-seven years, military distinction of officers and generals was not unfrequently rewarded with swords mounted with gold, or adorned with brilliants, and bearing the usual inscription:
