In addition, the King has founded a nevt Oxder, the
" Order of Merit," the qualification being distinction of the kind' that qualifies for election by the Committee of the Athenfeam. The first members are LOrd Roberts, Lord Wolseley, Lord Kitchener, Lord Rayleigh, Lord Kelvin, Lord Lister, Sir Henry Keppel, Mr. Morley, Mr. Lecky, Admiral Sir Edward- Seymour, Sir William Huggins, the .astronomer, and; Mr. Q. F. Watts,-R.A. The selection is beyond criticism, not a name being inadequate; but we confess that we do not care for the mul- tiplication of Orders, and we think also that decorations which effect some change of title are on the whole better than mere `badges. Except for the Companionships, which are in truth waiting lists for the full Orders, English decorations involve a change in title. That is good because it helps to keep the numbers down, and so increases the value of the Orders. We dread the fatal facility with which mere medals and ribbons can be thrown about. Sovereigns and Ministers think twice before they increase the number of people with titles.
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