EXAMPLE OF A DIPLOMA,

by which HEROLDUS is gifted and decorated with the right of the golden ring by FERDINAND AUGUSTUS, P. F. original: "P. F." refers to Pius Felix, a traditional imperial title.

A decorative initial letter F features a profile portrait of a figure in a hat.FERDINAND, by the favor of divine clemency, Elected Emperor of the Romans, always Augustus, and King of Germany, Hungary, Bohemia, Dalmatia, Croatia, Slavonia, etc. Infant of Spain, Archduke of Austria, Duke of Burgundy, Brabant, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, etc. Margrave of Moravia, etc. Duke of Luxembourg and of Lower and Upper Silesia, Würtemberg and Teck, etc. Prince of Swabia, Count of Habsburg, Tyrol, Ferrette, Kyburg, and Gorizia, etc. Landgrave of Alsace, Margrave of the Holy Roman Empire, of Burgau, and of Upper and Lower Lusatia, Lord of the March of Slavonia, Port Naon, and the Saltworks, etc. To our learned and faithful beloved of the Holy Empire, BASILIUS JOHANNES HEROLDUS, familiar of our Imperial court, our Imperial grace and every good thing. Since in a well-ordered Republic there is need not only for punishment but also for reward, so that by the fear of the former, wicked men may be deterred from committing crimes, and by the hope of the latter, good men may be kindled to the pursuits of virtue,