The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1876-03-18 00:00:00

our Puha ararnyonbut.

[We deem it right to state that W 3 do not at all time'
identify ourselves with our Correspondent's opinions.]

Within two days of the opening of the Grocer's
Company wing of the London Hospital by her Majesty,
the name of a distinguished "Citizen and Grocer" was
added to the list of honorary freemen of the City of
London. The personage thus favoured was none other
than the Lord Chief Justice of England, as a recogni-
tion of the dignity, integrity, and ability which had
conspicuously marked his administration of the law,
and of his eminent public services as the representative
of this country in the settlement of important ques
ticrns involving international rights and interests. The
Lord Chief Justice is indeed a man whom any assembly
of his countrymen may well delight to honour. For
twenty years he has wielded the sword of justice
In a manner which has elicited the admiration of those
who know that amongst his predecessors have been Coke?
and Hale, and Mansfield, and at the age of 74 his
eye remains undimmed, and his natural force is un-
abated. The Corporation of London never before
made a judge a freeman of their ancient city; and in
the case of the Chief Justice the distinction was to
some extent conferred with a view of recognizing the
masterly defence of his country which he made at the.,
Geneva Arbitration. He could not prevent the award
going against no, but he. vindicated the national
honour: That, combined with his eminent judicial
services, induced the Corporation to call upon kim to
"stand forth as a man of good name and fame, Who did
not desire the freedom of the City whereby to defraud
the Queen and the City of any of their rights, customs,
and advantages; but would pay his scot and bear
his lot, in accordance with the usage of the said city,
and with the manner thereof." The certificate of free-
dom is always enclosed in a box of fine gold, of the
value of one hundred guineas, and a chaste and
elaborate work of the Goldsmith's art. The newly.
made citizen signs his name upon the Corporation
roll, a valued piece of parchment which c mtains the
most illustrious names in our history. "Peace hath
its victories no less than war," ancl y m would find,
upon that scroll the name etßichard Cohtlen )t,ell„
a. Viet of Arthur, Duke of Wellingtou. ,Yrineed
.Who;
have after wards become :kings,. warriors,: phi losophere,s
and statesmen—all are there. , What-wcrgld 5011143 eaf
our autograph collectors give for Such a hat as that?
_
No measure of the Session has 'created so much inle,
terest as the Royal Titles' Bill, which proposes 63_ ens
able her Majety to assume the style and dignity of
Empress of India. A great deal of historical learning
has been elicited ever the suggestion; but when we.
go back to ancient times, we find that the title of King,
is far older than that of Emperor. Nimrod was the
first founder of a kingdom, 2245 B.C. Misraim built
cities in Egypt, and was the earliest to assume the dis-
tinction of King in that division of the earth, 2188 B. c.
The "manner of the King" is set forth in the
eighth chapter of the First Book of Samuel. Saul was-
the primordial King of Israel; moat of the Grecian
States were governed by Kings; and Kings ruled
over Rome until they took unto themselves the style
of Emperors. The title of King of England was first
used by Egbert in the year 808, but that of King of
the English nation existed during the Heptarchy. The
possession of the dignity of King or Queen confers the
appellation of "Royal Highness" upon the Sove-
reign's children; that of Emperor or Empress brings
with it "Imperial Highness." It is worth noting
that the Crown Princess of Germany, the Queen's
eldest daughter, is royal by birth and imperial by
marriage; the Duchess of Edinburgh is imperial by
birth and royal by marriage. Both are styled "your
Royal and Imperial Highness," while her Majesty's
children, with the exception I have mentioned, are
designated only "your Royal Highness." The new
Bill will enable them to add the Imperial distinction,
and the Court of Great Britain will thus be placed on
a level with those of Germany and Russia.