J^tstorp of $tctials,Cfiatns, Clasps, ann Crosses,

Conferret tn SRetoart of jffiltfttar#or Jkbal Vertices.

“-Britain, conscious of her claim,

Stands emulous of Greek and Roman fame;

In living Medals see her wars enroll’d,

And vanquish’d Realms supply recording gold.”

Pope.

NIVERSAL as had been the usage, derived fromthe Ancients, for Sovereigns and States to com-memorate military triumphs, and other greatevents, by striking a Medal, it was only at acomparatively recent period that Medals weremade the reward of military services, and wornas personal decorations. It has not been ascer-tained when the custom began in England, norwhether it had previously existed in other parts ofEurope, though there are numerous examples ofSovereigns and Princes having given Chains and Medals, not as Ensigns of