INSTALLATION.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

205

Some remarks have already been made upon the Investiture of KnightsCommanders . 2 The Ceremony differs in nothing from that of the KnightsGrand Cross; 3 and though usually performed by the Sovereign, many of themhave been Invested by a Royal Commissioner, 4 and others have been authorizedby Royal Warrant to wear the Ensigns without Investiture; 5 while in thecase of such Knights Commanders as were neither General nor Flag Officers,the Ribband and Badge have been worn immediately after nomination. 6 Ina few instances, Knights Commanders have been Knighted and Invested bythe Sovereign, although their Investiture had been duly Dispensed with byRoyal Warrants. 7 Thus, it would seem that there is no general rule as to theprinciple, and that the practice is anomalous and contradictory.

INSTALLATION.

BANNERS AND STALL PLATES.

As the Order of the Bath, at its revival in 1725, was intended to be placedon a foundation similar to that of the Garter, Installation was made an indis-pensable part of the Institution. The Royal Chapel of King Henry the Seventh,in Westminster Abbey, was appropriated to the Order, and a Stall was assignedto each of the Companions, in the same manner as to those of the Garter in SaintGeorge’s Chapel. The Statutes declare that “ the Stall opposite to that of theSovereign shall be the next to it in Precedency, and so alternately from theSovereign’s side to that on the Prince’s side, throughout the whole course: and

2 Vide pp. 141, 142, antea.

3 A copy of the Ceremonial observed at Investitures of Knights Commanders, will be found in theAppendix.

* Many Knight Commanders were Invested by the Duke of Wellington at Paris. See the Listof Knights Commanders in the Appendix.

5 A Copy of one of the Warrants of Dispensation will be found in the Appendix.

6 Vide pp. 141, 142, antea.

7 Several instances are mentioned in the List of Knights Commanders in the Appendix. A Copyof one of the Warrants of Dispensation will be found in the Appendix.