We are quite sure that the lists do not contain
the name of a single person who has not done something, and probably something handsome, to deserve distinction. Nevertheless, when we reflect that these new honours have been suggested by the special occasion of the war, and that that occasion is not only peculiar but one of the most stimulating to the mind that history can show, we cannot think that the recommendations made by the Government reveal a great deal of imagination. We suppose that the intention of the Government was to give the new Orders what might be called a kind of "Garter" flavour, making a high position count almost equally with meritorious labour. Possibly the idea of thus making the best of both worlds is a prudential method of giving the new Orders " a good send-off," and may be thought likely to appeal to those who when receiving an honour look round to see what com- pany they are in. For our part, however, we should have appre- ciated a bold simplicity more than worldly discretion.
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