It is announced that Lord Northbrook, as was expected, has
been promoted two steps in the Peerage, becoming Viscount Baring and Earl of Northbrook. The reward has been earned by severe and in many respects disagreeable work in India, and will not be grudged by any one. At the same time, Sir Richard Temple, the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, has been made a Baronet. Opinions differ in India as to Sir Richard's real merits, but no one ever doubted his zeal or energy, or exceptional power of keeping himself well in front. He behaved admirably in the famine, even if he did spend a little too much, and has earned a distinction which, as he is a wealthier man than most civilians, may be an acceptable reward. It is well, too, to break the impression that the Star of India is the only English honour which an Indian official, not a soldier, or doing soldier's work, will be allowed to reach. Sir Bartle Frere has been made a baronet, it is true, but it was not for his long Indian career, but for piloting the Prince of Wales with judgment.
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