The Birthday Honours, which were announced on Friday morning, are
not of a very sensational kind. There are four new Peers, Sir Antony MacDonnell, Mr. George Whiteley, Sir Angus Holden, and Mr. John Wynford Philipps, the eldest of the three brother M.P.'s who are well known in the House of Commons for their stature. We hold that the Government are wise to continue the practice of making Peers. They must not, however, be surprised if the public takes their continued strengthening of the House of Lords in numbers—and, indeed, very often in ability—as a sign that their affected disapproval of an hereditary Chamber is altogether unreal. The new Privy Councillors, including those for Ireland, number eight. Of these we may mention Mr. Emmott, the deservedly popular Chairman of Committees; Sir Edward Hamilton ; Sir Charles Fitzpatrick, the Chief Justice of Canada ; and Mr. T. W. Russell. Eleven baronetoies have been conferred. Mr. Perks, Sir Thomas Lauder Brunton, and Mr. J. B. Robinson, the South African millionaire, are the most notable names.
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