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HISTORY OF THE

Retorts of tfje ©rter.

Though it was undoubtedly intended that the Records of the Order should beproperly kept, and carefully preserved, and though numerous Officers havebeen appointed, and Fees and Salaries assigned to them, its Annals (for manyyears after its Revival in 1725, at least), are in a very unsatisfactory condition.

At the extension of the Order in 1815, the Knights Commanders andCompanions were commanded to transmit to the Officer of Ar ms attendantupon them, a Statement of their respective Military Services, verified by theirSignatures, to be by him recorded in Books appropriated to that purpose.These Statements, which were accordingly transmitted, form an interesting andhonourable memorial of the zeal, gallantry, and faithful services of more thana thousand Officers during the most eventful wars in which this Country hasever been engaged. It is not a little extraordinary, that neither the Individualswho furnished those Statements, nor the families of such as are deceased, arepermitted to have a copy of, or even access to them, in consequence of expressdirections having been issued to that effect.

Hebmues anti Spences.

The Order of the Bath does not possess any Revenues of its own; and allthe Expences relating to it, namely, for Insignia, Robes, Salaries of theOfficers, &c. are paid by the Crown. The Sum which the Order has cost theCountry since 1725, has not been ascertained, but it must necessarily have beenvery large.