The Birthday Honours published on Friday are not of any
special interest. There are no new Peers, but three Privy Councillors, seven Baronets, and twenty-six Knights. First among the Privy Councillors stands the name of Mr. Charles Booth, the man who did for us what no Government has ever attempted,—that is, gave us a social survey of London. A better bestowed honour was never granted, and the only sur- prise that the public will feel in the matter is that it was not given long ago. The other two Privy Councillorships are politi- cal, and are given to Colonel Kenyon-Slaney and Mr. Parke! Smith. The last-named was Mr. Chamberlain's Parliamentary private secretary, and is now one of his chief supporters in the work of Tariff Reform. No one will deny Mr. Parker Smith's fitness to be sworn of the Council on the recommen- dation of his political chiefs, for his distinction has been gained by no unworthy means ; but that he should have been selected out of the numbers of old Parliamentary hands in the Unionist party who greatly covet such an honour is not a little significant. Among the new Baronets are to be found Mr. Kimber and Mr. Alfred Harmsworth. The Knights in- clude Dr. Eiger, the composer; Prof. Dewar ; and Mr. George Gibb, the manager of the North-Eastern Railway Company.
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