But though Sir Alexander Acland-Hood has shown deplorable weakness in
the way in which he has allowed Mr. Chamberlain to capture the Conservative party machine, we gladly admit that personally he is well fitted to be sworn of the Council, and that no one will grudge him that high honour. Among the Baronets, Sir Charles Cayzer is under- stood to be a persona grata to Mr. Chamberlain ; while Sir Fortescue Flannery, who also becomes a Baronet, is one of Mr. Chamberlain's most active lieutenants, and took a prominent part in purging the Liberal Unionist party of its Free-trade elements. Among the Knights is Mr. Pink, the bead of the well-known fruit-preserving firm. Consider. ing the scorn poured by Mr. Chamberlain on the flourishing condition of the "jam and pickles" industry, the public has been puzzled whether to enter this honour on the Chamber- lain or Balfour side of the account. The fact that the Astronomer-Royal becomes a K.C.B. shows that even in the serious business of distributing political honours there is still a corner kept for science.
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