The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1924-05-11

able to cover the cost of the beautiful
medal The ribbon of the order, being
modern crimson with yellow borders,
is not likely to- be overlooked in even
the dressiest gathering of savants.
For Literary Failures
Next came little thing for engineers
and chemists-the Academia Fisico-
Chimica Italiana of Palermo. One can
be a corresponding member of this in
spring and undetermined society, but
the price and style of jewelry are not
quoted. The historians demand for
wider appreciation is catered to by the
Academic Society of International His
tory of Paris, diploma, medal and a
violet ribbon in the buttonhole, the lot
really cheap at $40, election guaranteed
within a few weeks. 1t is, in fact, a
godsend for literary failures.
Next was something for policemen,
membership of the Academia Inter
national di Applicasioni Antropaligico-
Medico Sociale at Naples, an institu-
ton said to be. affiliated with the
Antropological institute of the Royal
| University of Naples, and having some
sort of official standing. There are
about four kinds Of academicianships
| for sale, at prices from $40 to about
$120. This price includes the millinery
suitable to the dignity, and election
takes about two months.
The solid business community that
cares not for gauds, gewgaws and fancy
titles may put in for an honorary vice
consulship of Bolivia, Venezuela, Guate-
mala, Cost Rica and other Latin
| American republics The price is a
moderate $500, and the grant covers
diplomatic privileges, passports, stamp
fees and right to put the shield of
arms and flagstaff outside your house:
There is another lapse into dubious
French institutions for scientific and
musical folk, or those interested in soci-
Ology and agriculture, and then a re-
turn to the question of titles-good,
high-sounding, genuine, all-wool, ring
tailed titles and undoubted nobility.
The government of Spain will, it is
stated, in return for cash issue decree
of title; baron, $1,875: count, $2,175 I;
marquis (rather expensive this), $1,000.
Since the recent cleanup in Spain this
issue may have been suspended. Regis
tration of election takes six months, ac-
cording to the list, so the transaction
had better be elassed as speculative.
Some people have, however, a dislike
for royalties and royal titles, and prefer
plain republican distinction. To meet
this need is the clear reason for the ex-
istence of the Republic of San Marine,
an almost invisible spot on the map of
Europe, near Rimini, in Italy. The
honorary counselship is their cheapest
line of goods-quoted at $4,000 Italian
Ira Then came the titles
Baron .... 10000 Italian Ira.
Count ....... 10000 Italian Ira.
Marquis ..... $4,000 Italian Ira.
Duke .....s al 900 Italian Ira.
Prince ........ 100000 Italian Ira.
Terms are net, no discount for cash
and no reduction on quantity. About
four months have to expire before the
title is granted, and you have to put up
bank guarantee in advance. But do
not part with the cash until you are
officially made-well, whatever it is
you want to be taken for.
Nothing can really surpass the glory
of being a prince or a princess of the
republic of San Marine. Exactly where
you go to dinner at diplomatic party
l cannot forecast but at a modest
social meeting there can be no possible
doubt.
Less snowy, perhaps, but equally re-
publican is the international Order of
the Legion of Honor (of Italy,. Gold
and enamel cross with eight points,
black MORE ribbon with a small gold
rOsette. Prices varying from $3.50 for
an officer-chevalier to $500 for grand
Gordon with cross and star, the cross
being worn on its ribbon around the
neck, the Star on the shoulder!
This xxyOndapf,VI nrdar vonek h.
confused with the French Legion OF
Honor, with its little red buttonhole
badge. In fact, so far as can be ascer-
tanned, the Italian International Legion
of Honor is entirely unknown in Italy
but enjoys wide membership among
foreigners.
Some Are Reputable
The fact remains that in this traffic
In distinctions and pseudo honors some
OF the concerns advertised are genuine
and reputable. 1t is also true that one
may see men of undoubted eminence
proudly sporting the badge of some dis
creditable bogus concern, invented pure
ly to get money out of the natural
vanity of man, and entirely disassociat-
ell from any tinge of chivalrous asso-
cation or academic learning.
This particular title merchant had
made living at his business for years,
and though known to the police of sew
eral countries, he had mostly kept on
the weather side of the law. although
obliged to live in Switzerland and
avoid one or two of the coun-
tries where he had trangressed. He
had enjoyed several aliases and add
resseS in the course of his career, but
besides selling bogus distinctions to peo-
pie who deserved them, he had also I'M
doubtedly served many of his clients
perfectly honestly and obtained for