The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1882-04-12
Cheap Nobility.
The Market for Titles and tn,

The Market for Titles and their Cost.
a German publicist has put himself to
the pains of collecting mass of informa-
ton upon one of the most curious mani
festations of human folly and vanity. He
has entered into communication with the
advertising agents, authorized and I'M
authorized-probably for the most part
unauthorized-who undertake to CRAFTY
that greed for titles, orders, and diplomas
which is so largely developed on the con-
tlnent, and is not wholly unknown in
England. Advertisements are often to
be seen in foreign newspapers offering to
provide duly qualified persons with arts
tocratic or literary titles; and one of the
most successful traders in this peculiar
line, if we can take the frequency of his
advertisements as proof has his office
In London, though we should Judge from
his name that he is not an Englishman.
This gentleman, like most of those in the
profession, from time to time issues a
pricecurrent" of titles, diplomas, and
orders; and we have had the advantage
of studying one of his later issues. Ac-
oording to his own representation, he
must have found some means of acquir-
ing the confidence of number of sove-
! reign princes and of several princelings
who seems to have the right to confer
social precedences and dignities upon
whomsoever they will and who also pre-
tend to an inherent capacity of founding
knightly orders, converting petty schools
into universities, and turning any plain
Mister, Herr" or Monsieur" into
Baron or Count.
The more elevated titles of Prince"
and Duke" are unhappily not within
their compass, as these are only conferred
by the rulers of great States, such as
Germany, Austria, Russia, and Italy
and as the sovereigns and exchequers of
these States are not under any pressing
need of small sums OF money, they do no
business with the advertising trafficker
in titles 1t may be SUPPOSE, that the
agent above alluded to is a faithful adhe-
rent Of the Vatican, as he places at the
head of his list, Papal Orders and
Titles" Archbishoprics and Bishoprics
we need hardly say, are omitted. The
dignities offered to the purchaser are in
all cases secular, and proceed from the
Pope, not as Bishop of Rome, but as secu-
lar ruler of the former States of the
Church. The papal Order of st. Sylves-
ter (the golden spur is offered to ambi-
tious Germans for two thousand five hun
dred marks, or one hundred and twenty
five pounds sterling The Order of the
Holy Sepulchre is cheaper and may be
obtained for five hundred marks less.
The degree of Papal Count" on the
other hand, is very much dearer; it is
not to be had for less than twenty thou
sand marks, or one thousand pounds, and
the candidate must be able to produce
the necessary qualifications What these
qualifications are is not stated but they
may doubtless be known upon payment Of
an additional fee
The Spanish Orders appear to be com
paratively cheap, and we presume that
the reason is TO be found in the general
feeling OF uncertainty as to the duration
of the rival Spanish dynasties. The agent
has three sorts at his disposal and the
qualified purchaser may become either a
Knight of the Order of Isabella, the Or
der Of Charles Ill, or the Order of Fer
dinand. He can also obtain the Portu-
guese Christus Order" for the trihe of
ten thousand marks, or FIVE hundred
pounds.
The advertiser is also honored with the
confidence and custom of Mohammedan
as well as Christian sovereigns, the Sui
tan of Turkey and the Shah of Persia en-
powering hinato operate between them
and European gentleman who may be
greedy Of magnificent Eastern distinc-
tions. The Sultan, in spite Of his chronic
need OF money, insists upon upholding
the Osmanje Order Of the First Class at a
very high figure it is not to be procured
for less than eighteen thousand marks.
But his Ottoman Majesty graciously con-
sents to allow the Third Glass Of the
same Order to be sold by the agent for
six thousand marks, or three hundred
pounds. The Shah is far less exactinp.
The Order Of the Sun Of Nasr Eddin is
the very cheapest knighthood in the uni
verse; it cost only five hundred marks.
or twenty-five pounds. Any European
who purchaser it can stick the word
" Cheva!ier' in front Of his surname.
There is one drawback-the speculative
Shah only confers his Suns" in the very
cheap shape Of photographs the buyer
must subsequently provide himself with
the original decoration at his own cost
and the cost is left underlined.
The Emperor of Brazil permits the
agent to offer his POLITICALLY named Order
OF the Rose for forty pounds, or eight