Pazzamta.—We have to discharge our annual task of noticing various
peerages, &c., a task always difficult because it seems to invite what it is quite impossible to make, a comparison of their merits. Lodges Peerage, Barcmetage, Knightage, and Companionage (Kelly's Directories, 21s. net) is in its " eighteenth edition?' It has the advantage of having incorporated with it the similar work of that eminent genealogist, Mr. Foster. Here the Peerage and Baronetage together, with some space given to "Extinct and Dormant Titles," cover 2,022 pages. Genealogical information is given with fullness, along with much other useful matter.— Genealogy is a strong point, as our readers are doubtless aware, with the Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Peerage, itc., by Sir Bernard Burke and Ashworth P. Burke (Harrison and Sons, 42s.), now in its seventy-third edition. In this the notices of the holders of hereditary honours, personal and, genealogical, extend to 1,973 pages,—closely though quite clearly printed, it may be remarked. These are followed by " Spiritual Lords" (including the " Prelates of Ireland"), and these again by Knights, Companions, &c., supplemented by an account of Orders and medals. Finally comes a section of "Foreign Titles of Nobility."—On a smaller scale, as far as notices of individuals are concerned, but taking in a wider field, and so possessing a special usefulness, is Kel/y's Handbook of the Titled, Landed, and Official Classes (Kelly's Directories, 15s.) We may quote the official description of its contents :—" All who have any definite position (whether arising from hereditary or from any recognised title or order conferred upon them by the Sovereign), Members of Parliament, the higher grades of the Military, Naval and Colonial Services, all Bishops, Deans, all Deputy Lieutenants and County Magistrates of England and Wales, King's Counsel, Royal Academicians, Presidents of Learned Societies, County Court Judges and principal Landowners." A rough calculation makes the number of names to be between twenty and thirty thousand.
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