'Are are pleased to notice that the broad gold medal
of the Statistical Society has been presented to Mr. Robert Giffen, now the head of the Statistical Department of the Board of Trade. Mr. Giffen has not been badly treated as regards his position in the Civil Service ; but he has never received adequate honour either from the public or the Govern- ment, which ought to have decorated hire years ago. He belongs to a limited class from whom the community receive an inestimable benefits—namely, white light upon every subject upon which they require information. He will use months in ascertaining for them the truth, say, as to an Irish Land question, and in a report will never betray the political opinion to which his researches have led him. We have watched Mr. Giffen's work for thirty years, have never known it less than complete, and do not know now, with any approach to accuracy, what his political opinions are. That is the true attitude of a devoted servant of the whole nation.
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