SECRETARY.]

ORDER OF THE BATH.

249

trifling Fees have been already stated, 7 so thatprobably, no one, except a Member of the Collegeof Arms (to whom the situation leads to profes-sional business), would consider the Appointmentworth possessing. The Office is held withoutLetters Patent, or even a Royal Warrant, and theappointment to it is merely notified in the LondonGazette.

The Officer of Arms wears the same Mantleas the other Officers; and His Badge which is sus-pended from the neck by a Gold Chain or RedRibband, contains the Arms of the Order, with theCypher OG interlaced between the Crowns, Im-paling, Gules the White Horse of Hanover, sur-rounded by the Motto, and by two Branches ofLaurel, issuing from an Escrol, containing the

words, 31 tf) SDteit, the whole being surmounted by a Crown.

SECRETARY TO THE KNIGHTS COMMANDERSAND COMPANIONS.

The Office of Secretary to (like that of Officer of Arms attendant on)the Knights Commanders and Companions, was created in January 1815,by the following passage in the London Gazette: “ And His Royal Highnesshas also been pleased to approve that Mr. William Woods be the Secretaryappertaining to the said Knights Commanders and Companions.” 8 All that isknown of the duties of the original Secretary is, that his Signature occurs to theLetters to the Knights Commanders, dated on the 9th of January 1815, callingupon them to pay their Fees. 9 The present Secretary, who holds his Officeonly under a notification of his appointment in the London Gazette, has never,however, been required to sign such Letters; and it is difficult to state in whathis duties consist, except in an occasional attendance at the Investiture of aKnight Commander, but which seems to be entirely optional, unless the Officer

7 Vide pp. 138, 139, 144, 231, antea. 8 Vide p. 130, antea. 9 Vide p. 138, antea.

K K