THE ORIGIN OF AN ORDER.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12503, 2 April 1909, Page 4

THE ORIGIN OF AN ORDER.

Various as are the dates' given for the foundation erf- thp Order of the Garter,, the versions to which it owes its institution are equally divergent, says a 'writer in the "Windsor Magazine.", .-■■ • One .story, an invention of later days, is to the effect that the Garter of Joa'ne, Countess, bf Salisbury, having fallen off,, as she danced in a "solemn ball," King Edward, stooped, took it from the ground, and handed it to the Countess, "whereupon some of ins nobles and courtiers smiled as at an amorous action. The King, observing their humour, turned it off with the remark-, "Horn soit gui "mal y Dense," and added, in disdain of their smiles, that in a short time they should see 1 the garter advanced ,tp so .: high honour, and esteem as to account- themselves happy to wear it. ;..-,, Another^ popular version. is that;the ; Queen; having left' King Edward to return, to her house,! he followed her soon after, and espied a blue garter lymgvon ground, : He had =no doubt it had- slipped from her. leg as she went along, and as some of her attendants had passed by disdaining to stoop at such a trifle,, he commanded it, to be taken up and handed to nim^afi the receipt whereof, he said 1 : .you. make but small account of - this garter; ü but within a. few months I i vgll cause the best of you.to. reverence the hke;- ' •-••■■•- .•-... .;....