New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-27
DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE A TITLE.

DIFFICULT TO CHOOSE TITLE.
Men who are created peers Of the realm only
at the beginning of their troubles when they receive
the anxtously looked for notification from the Prime
Minister, conveying them the announcement of
the intention OF the sovereign TO confer coronet
upon them They thereupon confronted by the
problem OF choosing title. unless they happen 10
have the good sense to request permission to use
the new handle in conjunction with their family
name. as for instance. Lords Wolseley. Roberts
Kitchener and Curzon. Sometimes they are anx-
ious however to relegate their patronyrIic to OBJ
Hvion. and could cite of instances of peers
who, after selecting sonorous and most patrician
title on being raised 10 the Upper House. have
sought and obtained permission from the Crown
to exchange their plebeian patronymc for the
name which they have assumed in conjunction with
the title.
The difficulty In choosing a title is due to the
necessity Of ascertanng that it is absolutely clear
and that no else has prior rights pretensons
thereto. Thus, when Sir Donald Alexander Smith
was created peer he anxious to assume the
title of Lord Glencoe. having purchased the estate
Of Glencoe. including the historic glen which was
the scene of the infamous massacre of Glencoe in
the reign OF King William III But no sooner had
he intimated his intention than not only all the
Macdonalds, but even the very Campbells and in
deed, all Scotland raised Up their voice in such
angry protest at the idea of a of the name
OF Smith, in no way connected with either of the
clans concerned in the massacre, assuming the
name of the Glen of Weeping. which is the mean
ing of Glencoe. that Sir Donald compelled TO
withdraw his application TO the Crown and TO con-
tent himself instead with the title Of Lord Strath-
coma.
Many other similar instances could be cited, and
in order 10 show how careful people have TO be
may mention that when George Nathaniel Curzon
was created peer, on his appointment Viceroy
OF India. and decided to retain his patronymic in
connection with the prefix Of LORI he oonsid-
cred it necessary to call upon lord Howe, as head
of the Curzon family, in order 10 ask him whether
he had any objection TO his assumption Of the style
and title of Lord Curzon.
LORD MCCLELLAN TAKEN TO TASK
AS time passes II becomes more and more diff
cult to find title which there are no objections
Thus Sir Henry Meysey Thompson. on being raised
to the House of Lords the other day. got into no
end of trouble for assuming the title Of Lord
knaresborough, the municipality OF the ancient
town of Knaresborough voting unanimous protests
against the assumption of its by man v no
had never had any connection with the place save
that he had asked 1t on one occasion 10 return him
TO the House of Commons; and now Sir Herbert
Stern. the owner of Horace Walpole's historic
country seat Strawberry Hill. just outside London
is being held up to criticism for having selected
the title OF Lord Michelham. Michelham being the
name of an ancient priory and large estaJe owned
by Sussex squire of ancient lineage. J. e A
Gwynne- On learning that Baron Stern, VINO is
of Michelham for his title. Mr. Gwynne az cree
lodged a protest with Lord Knollys. the private
secretary OF the King. and with Sir Alfred Scott
Catty. who is Garter King Arms. But he re-
ceived a reply 10 the effect that his protest had
arrived too late. and that inasmuch az the Great
Seal of the Realm had been affixed TO The 1atent
of nobility of Herbert Stern and he had been s7,-
lnoned to the House OF Lords as Lord Mcclellan
1t was impossible 10 reopen The matter or TO make
any change
What made the matter worse was that the new
Lord Mlchelham seems 10 have secured the CON
sent of Garter King at Arms selection of his
title by showing him deed that conveyed the i'm
preston that he was the owner of the old Michel
ham estate. whereas he merely acquired a few
months ago a small house. with no grounds on
an outlying portion of the Mcclellan property as
a copyhold tenant That is 10 say. the new peer
has coolly assumed his title the name of the
estate Of another man. of landlord whom he is
a mere tenant obligated 10 certain feudai duties
The affair has created immense stir in Eng
land. and has, Of course. contributed TO render
still more unpopular than before the elevation Of
Sir Herbert Stern TO the House OF Lords.