icence from the public. Lord
Earlybird, till after middle life, had not been much considered, but
gradually there had grown up a feeling that there were not very many
better men in the country. He was a fat, bald-headed old man, who was
always pulling his spectacles on and off, nearly blind, very awkward,
and altogether indifferent to appearance. Probably he had no more
idea of the Garter in his own mind than he had of a Cardinal's hat.
But he had grown into fame, and had not escaped the notice of the
Prime Minister.

"Do you know anything against Lord Earlybird?" asked the Prime
Minister.

"Certainly nothing against him, Duke."

"Nor anything in his favour?"

"I know him very well,--I think I may say intimately. There isn't a
better man breathing."

"An honour to the peerage!" said the Prime Minister.

"An honour to humanity rather," said the other, "as being of all men
the least selfish and most philanthropical."

"What more can be said of a man?"

"But according to my view he is not the sort of person whom one would
wish to see made a Knight of the Garter. If he had the ribbon he
would never wear it."

"The honour surely does not consist in its outward sign. I am
entitled to wear some kind of coronet, but I do not walk about with
it on my head. He is a man of a great heart and of many virtues.
Surely the country, and her Majesty on behalf of the country, should
delight to honour such a man."

"I really doubt whether you look at the matter in the right light,"
said the ancient statesman, who was in truth frightened at what was
being proposed. "You must not be angry with me if I speak plainly."

"My friend, I do not think that it is within your power to make me
angry."

"Well then,--I will get you for a moment to listen to my view on
the matter. There are certain great prizes in the gift of the Crown
and of the Ministers of the Crown,--the greatest of which are now
traditionally at the disposal of the Prime Minister. These are always
given to party friends. I may perhaps agree with you that party
support should not be looked to alone. Let us acknowledge that
character and services should be taken into account. But the very
theory of our Government will be overset by a reversal of the rule
which I have attempted to describe. You will offend all your own
friends, and only incur the ridicule of your opponents. It is no
doubt desirable that the high seats of the country should be filled
by men of both par