The papers are discussing, a propos of the reward to
be given to the doctors in attendance on the Prince of Wales, the whole question of honours for the Medical profession, A baronetcy, it is said, such as the public expects to see given to Dr. Gull, is hereditary, and as such, sometimes inconvenient, while the Crown is reluctant to enlarge the Order of the Bath. It is therefore suggested that a doctor or two might be added to the Privy Council. We question the wisdom of the suggestion. New patients would scarcely seek a Right Honourable, while the distinction would be much less valued than either a baronetcy or K.C.B., because it would not affect men's wives, who, after all, are the persons most interested in these middle-class decorations. If there is any real difficulty in the way—and there are too many baronets by half—why not carry out the idea once attributed to the Prince Consort, and found a new Order, to be bestowed for scientific or intellectual services ? Why not the Order of the Rose—the ancient emblem of science—as well as of the Thistle ?
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