LEGION OF HONOR, French Order of the (L'Ordre de la Legion d'Honneur), an order created by Bonaparte, First Consul, on 19 May 1802 (29 Florial, Year X), to reward distinguished services rendered in military and civil life. The emblem of the Legion d'Honneur is a star with five twofold-rays, the centre of the star being surrounded by an oak and laurel crown, one side representing the French Re public (substituted for the emperor's head), with the inscription °Republique Francaise the other side being adorned with two tricolor flags (substituted for the imperial eagle), and bearing the inscription, which has not been changed: "Honneur et Patrie.s The star, white enameled, is made of silver for the Chevaliers, and of gold for the other grades. The diameter is of 40, 60 or 70 millimeters (1.57, 2.36 or 2.75 inches), according to the grades. The badge is attached to a red-watered ribbon and worn on the left side of the chest.
The badge of the Legion of Honor, when worn by civilians or military and naval officers in civilian clothes, is a red-watered ribbon fixed to the left side buttonhole of the coat. The ribbon takes the form of a °rosettes or little rose for the higher grades.
The number of members of the order, orig inally provided by the law, was not to exceed 6,000, hut this amount was very rapidly ex ceeded, and Napoleon himself, up to 1814, had granted the membership of the Legion of Honor to 36,825 individuals.
The first decorations were distributed with great solemnity to the alegionnairess in Paris, Place des Invalides, on 14 by Napo leon who, by that time, had become emperor: the decorations were therefore distributed in his own name so that the new dignitaries had to swear fidelity to him; for that reason some distinguished individuals refused the crosses which had been offered to them, their personal convictions and principles not allowing them to recognize the establishment of the new regime. Among these distinguished objectors were Lafayette and Rochambeau.
Among the members of the first promotion I may mention the following names which are now well known in the world of sciences, art, literature, politics and, of course, in the mili tary and naval history of France: Monge, Bcrthollet, Lagrange, Laplace, Prony, Parmen tier, de Jussieu, Cuvier, Montgolfier, Colin d'Harleville, Fontanes, Le Brun, Da cier, Sylvestre de Sacy, David, Le Sueur, M6hul, Monsigny, Cambaceres, Sieyes, Talleyrand, Fouche, Volney, d'Aguesseau, Portalis, Brillat Savarin ; all the Marechaux de France, the Generals and Admirals; it may be mentioned here that Marshal Augereau refused to answer when his name was called.
A second distribution of a still more solemn character was made by the emperor, at Boulogne-sur-Mer, on 17 April 1805, in pres ence of 70,000 troops. Presently the Cross of the Legion of Honor was to smell powder for the first time at the famous battle of Auster litz (2 Dec. 1805). According to the latest statistics there are 49,236 legionnaires, distrib uted among the five degrees as follows: Chevaliers, 41,108; officiers, 6,713; commandeurs, 1,142; growls officiers, 229; grands-croix, 44— total, 49,236.
The President of the Republic is the •souverain chef et grand maitre de l'Ordre (sovereign head and grand master of the order).
These statistics, however, were compiled be fore the war; none of a more recent date are available, although more than 30,000 crosses have been allowed since the beginning of the war; a decree of 13 Aug. 1914 authorizes the distribution of as many crosses as circumstances will require; but a special law passed by both Houses of Parliament will be necessary to give a legal and definite ratification to all the nom inations. Of course the bill will be passed without the slightest opposition. During peace time, in order to be admitted to the member ship of the Legion of Honor it is necessary to have discharged, with some distinction, civil or military functions during at least 20 years and sometimes 25 years. This rule, however, does not apply to the persons who have rendered extraordinary services in their civil or military functions, or in the arts and sciences. But, in any case, in order to be admitted to a superior grade it is necessary to have,een: (1) For the grade of officier, four years a chevalier; (2) for the grade of commandeur, two years an officier; (3) for the grade of grand officier, three years a commandeur; (4) for the grade of grand-croix, five years a grand officier.