THE ORDER OP ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 693, 30 July 1875, Page 4

THE ORDER OP ST. MICHAEL AND ST. GEORGE.

—0 (COStMUNICA.’i EH.) What an absurdity this Order of St. Michael and St. George is ? We, of New Zealand, rejoice and read in its existence, and the honors which it is intended to confer. The House of Representatives teems ■with its 'grandees : There are Sirs Julius Vogel, Donald M’Lean, DiUon Bell, and doubtless the “ Sirs” to he attached to the names of many other eminent men are lying in embryo, shortly to he given birth to. No’distinction is made in this title from that of Baronet, or K.C. 8., and to all appearances a K.C.M.G. is equal in rank to a Knight of any other Order. But such is the case. The title of K C.M G. would hardly be recognised at home, and therefore, though ha ostensibly possesses the honor, he really has it not. Is this the reward continued public service is entitled to ? If so, it is a paltry one, and the receiver—if he is satisfied with it must be possessed of an overweening amount of conceit and vanity. Is this, the illegitimate offspring of true nobility, to be the reward for faithful and persistent public service ? Is this miserable attempt to convince men that they are in possession of true nominal honor when they only have the apology for it, to be considered a fitting recompense for long and able services ? It would seem so. Verily the public taste is demoralised if such empty honors satisfy. We can imagine the contempt which a Baronet would feel for a man ostensibly his equal in rank, but only possessed of the title of K.C.M G. Such a man would bo esteemed far more highly without this high-sounding but empty title. It reminds us of the sword of Damocles suspended in mid-air. The rank is too high for plebeians, and equally low for aristocrats : approachable by none, the thread suspending the sword breaking at the end of life, and the title then dying. In this man’s previous life, when possessed only of the simple title ceded all men, he was esteemed by his then equals, and by those higher in society. But in his miserable and unsuccessful attempt to participate in a higher grade of social life ho is looked down upon by those to whoso society he aspires ; and his previous equals no longer mingle in his company with their wonted freedom. He is neither one thing nor the other—he has stultified himself. From the number of titles granted and accepted of late we should imagine the Order was serving tho purpose for which it was created, The honor is seldom granted till tho receiver is far advanced in years. He thus retains it tor a short time till his death and the title drops. Tho only souvenir remaining for his heirs is tho remembrance of their sire's possession of it. Whether our public men accept this as a conveyance towards higher and more legitimate honors, we know not. If not, wo must say with tho preacher, “ vanity of vanities ; all is vanity-”

What is that which, hy; losintr an. eye, haa only a nose left ?—A noise.