By our laws every woman, however high in rank, who elects to remain single, is obliged to follow a calling adapted to her capacity and inclination.  This interesting person possessed a peculiar talent for inventing and improving ciphers for telegraphic correspondence.  This talent was turned to account.  She was also entrusted with the superintendence and examination of the reports made by those charged with the instruction of the clerks engaged in the telegraph department, and proved superior in every important quality to any of the men occupied in similar pursuits.

XXX.

DECORATIONS FOR AGE AND MERIT.

     “...The gate of future success, honours, and riches is always open
     to you.”

The ornaments, of which I have before spoken, are independent of decorations worn by women as distinctive marks of age; for the age of a woman entitles her to peculiar privileges above others younger than herself, and her decorations are so worn, that these privileges may be at once recognised.  At the end of every five of our years, she is entitled to a decoration indicative of her age, and the mode in which the last five years have been passed.  Strange as it may appear to you, with whom old age is associated with feebleness, loss of beauty, and decayed powers—­it is by our ladies looked upon as a privilege, of which all are very jealous.  If such a thing were possible, it would be a gross insult to say that a lady was younger than was indicated by the last decoration which she had received; and even the five successive years are marked by five small appendages, one of which is added each year, so that she may not lose even one of the years to which she is entitled.

Amongst other marks of respect shown to age—­a younger woman, passing her senior in years, is expected to give her the inner side of the path, and to salute her in passing.

No mistake can be made as to the particular nature of the decoration, and consequently of the number of years to which the lady is entitled.  Each of the numerous decorations differs entirely from the others.  A decoration called the “Matterode,” consists of the model of a very beautiful bird, that has the peculiarity of always looking upwards, as though its thoughts were borne to the celestial stars.  The wings of this bird,—­from which the Order derives its name,—­are fixed in a peculiar way, and move in graceful motion, so as to suggest the movement of an angel’s wings.

The plumage of the Matterode is as though it were studded with precious stones; so bright are the dots all over the body and the wings.

The decoration is of exquisite workmanship, and made of our choicest metals, varied in colour, and set with precious stones, to imitate the bird’s plumage.

This decoration is presented to a lady who, having by her conduct and years earned successive decorations, has passed the last five years unexceptionally and uprightly in all things, and has, besides, shown intelligence of a high grade.