FAMOUS ORDERS.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXVIII, Issue 46, 15 November 1900, Page 29

FAMOUS ORDERS.

•The most ancient and most noble Order of the Thistle,' which has just been conferred upon the Earl of Hcpet'un, is trie smallest of the three great Orders of knighthood in point of numbers, and the longest in point of title. It consists of the Sovereign and British princes', and sixteen knights. ' The most illustrious Order of Bt. Patrick ' includes, besides royalties, twenty-two knights, while ' the moat noble Order of the Garter,' the mont coveted of till distinctions, has twenty-five companions, including foreign Sovereigns and prince^. Only two living peers possess two of these Orders — those Wing the Earl of Ro-«ebery and the Duke of Buccleuch, who have both KG. and K.T. after their names. The late Duke of Argyll, whone vacant Thistle was bestowed on Lord Hopetoun, also enjoyed that proud distinction.