New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-05-27
EVJGUTHOOD AND LETTERS.

\ title If knghhood or nobility Is a pleasant
thing to receive in a country where such disiinc-
lions are in fashion. In some cases they serve *
marks Of Governmental favor. in others they pay
off ROYAL debts for couriosics extended or per
sonal services performed and again they are the
,ardy confirmation by the State of title To great
ness already conferred by the popular voice. 10
the last class belongs the honor which has just
been extended to Mr.. Henry Irving. Sir Henry
Irving will be no greater man than he was with
ont the sign Of knighthood. His genius Will be
no more appreciated. and his friends will be no
warmer in their love for him. Official condc-
scension picks him out as the one actor Of his
time who is worthy 10 rank socially Win Inc
Mayor Of the last town which gave the Queen
reception. That may not seem an entirely happy
Judgment but the new knight doubtless apprc-
ciatcs that 1t was kindly intended as compll-
mcnt both 10 himself and his profession. Brains
have played small part In the winning OF titles
as compared with offices, arms and landholding.
Only recently has cmincnce in letters brought
high social position. and the author has always
taken precedence of the musician and the mum
mcr And the hummer comes last of all. Even
the dramatis fares worse than his fcllow-wrii'rS.
Sir Arthur Sullivan had title while his CO..
worker in the operas which made them both
famous was unrewardcd. Sir William Davenant
put plays on the stage, but he owed his knight
hood 10 military service Of his King. At last,
however In the distribution Of birthday honors
the actor comes In for share That Is a conces-
sion In the case OF one whose calling Is TO amuSe
people The court jester had no such rccognl-
ton. The knightactor, to be sure, Is
gentleman, n genius, a man of charming per-
sonality and great worth, but arstocraccs of
birth and favor do not place an overnight valua-
ton on those qualities. That they appreciate
them at all is Il sign Of deepening democracy.
When TcnnysOn accepted Il pccraSc he set the
example To lesser men Of accepting patronage as
Il favor. Carlyle refused all decorations Had
Tcnny son taken the same stand a new dignity
would have been given to the profession OF lit
craturc. Not that any titles or lack Of titles can
make any real difference In the standing or the
author, but by acknowledging that Crown or
State could make more valid a great writer's
claim TO renoWn he chcapcned the value of his
own supreme achievements In the eyes OF the
unthinking There need be no spirit Of chtirlish-
ness in holding aloof from these decorations.
The only proper distinctions in the world OF let
tiers are those which letters themselves give. We
need not quarrel with Sir Walter Bcsant for
accepting favors when Tcnnyson did not scorn
them But Thackcray untitled has all the fame
and reverence that any man may ask. No coro-
net can make Il novel immortal. Sir Henry
Irving may feel that he has been complimen'rI
for charming and educating the English people
on the stage The same compliment has been
given for the making Of excellent beer.
But the English world Is not yet advanced 10
the full appreciation Of an arstocracy OF brains
Too many men Of brains themselves have not
had the appreciation. and have been Wiling 10
consider decorations designed rs rewards for SER
vice at Court and in affairs of State as ADDING
distinction 10 themselves. They have thus IT,"
the ambitions Of small writer's TO seek titles as