19 JANUARY 1934, Page 6

Apropos of the Dean of St. Paul's, I must correct

a slip of which I was guilty in this column a week ago. I asked whether the Dean, who is a K.C.V.O., should be known as Sir William or Sir Ralph. The answer, apparently, is neither. Just as clergy. of the Church of England cannot be elected to the House of Commons so they cannot be knighted. Dean Inge, therefore, when awarded the rank of Knight Commander of the Victorian Order, became entitled to wear the insignia of the order, and to use the appropriate letters after his name, but he does not become " Sir " because he never received the accolade. So, at least, I am informed—and .I believe accurately. A baronet can, of course, take orders and retain his title, but that is another matter.

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