There is no Peerage among the honours gazetted on New
Year's Day, Lord Rosebery apparently fearing that if he translated any supporter to the Upper House, his resolution to deal with that House in the true Radical, spirit might be -distrusted. Mr. Cecil Rhodes is, however, made a Privy -Councillor for his Colonial services,—not an extravagant reward for adding two great provinces to the Empire without imperial expense. Four gentlemen receive Baronetcies,—Dr. Russell Reynolds, as President of the College of Physicians ; Mr. John Eric Erichsen, as former President of the College 'of Surgeons and a great scientific authority; Mr. Newnes, as 'owner of the Westminster Gazette; and Mr. John Barran, as a valuable supporter of the Government in the West Riding. 'There is the usual list of Knighthoods of all the Orders except the Garter ; but most of the recipients are decorated for official reasons, the best known being Mr. C. P. Ebert, recently Legislative Member of the Governor - General's Council; and Mr. J. Westland, who is Indian Chancellor of the Exchequer, and in that capacity has just effected a most important " Conversion " of the Debt ; and the Hon. Mac- kenzie Bowel, the new Premier of the Canadian Dominion. No honour is granted for service under the Foreign Office, except a G.C.B. to Lord Cromer, and altogether the list is a thin one, and not marked by great felicity in selection. One reason for this may be the increasing pressure on the Govern- ment for decorations of all kinds, which makes the Premier unwilling to step out of the strictest official routine, and so make three enemies, at least, for every honour bestowed. As democracy advances, distinction amongst the undistinguished is more eagerly desired ; and perhaps Lord Rosebery is unwise in overlooking all the representatives of Labour. They would so like the chance of rejecting decorations.
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