Earl de Grey is to be rewarded for his services
on the American High Commission by elevation to a Marquisate. As far as the service is concerned, he entirely deserves any promotion in the Peerage he may wish for, but why he should wish it is one of those mysteries of aristocracy which pass the comprehension of plebeians. That an Earl of three generations should think him- self repaid for good service and large outlay by permission to sentence all his younger sons to social paralysis is certainly a curious proof of the value of titular distinctions. America would have had to pay her special Commissioner. We ask ours to spend his own money, repay him by banning his children from almost all walks of life, and he is decidedly pleased with our form of exhibit-
ing gratitude. Well, it is cheap, and these are days of taxes on matches.
Previous page
