Notes

Abstract

POLITICAL services and commercial prosperity appear to be the claims to distinction of most of the people whose names are to be found in the list of New Year Honours. The list includes the names of few men of eminence in the intellectual world—whether of science, art, or literature. One Fellow of the Royal Society—Dr. David Ferrier—has been knighted; and among the twenty-four I other new knights are Dr. H. B. Donkin, Mr. G. Laurence Gomme, and Dr. G. Newman. Even in these cases, however, the honour appears to have been conferred for public services rather than in recognition of scientific work. The list has been received with the usual chorus of congratulation by the daily papers, but it can in no way be regarded as truly representative of the men who are rendering the best services to the nation.