The Man Who Laughs


google search for The Man Who Laughs

Return to Master Book Index.

Page
20 21 22 23 24

Quick Jump
1 236 472 708 944

III.  
In the interior of the van there were two other inscriptions. Above the  
box, on a whitewashed plank, a hand had written in ink as follows:--  
"THE ONLY THINGS NECESSARY TO KNOW.  
"
The Baron, peer of England, wears a cap with six pearls. The coronet  
begins with the rank of Viscount. The Viscount wears a coronet of which  
the pearls are without number. The Earl a coronet with the pearls upon  
points, mingled with strawberry leaves placed low between. The Marquis,  
one with pearls and leaves on the same level. The Duke, one with  
strawberry leaves alone--no pearls. The Royal Duke, a circlet of crosses  
and fleurs de lys. The Prince of Wales, crown like that of the King, but  
unclosed.  
"The Duke is a most high and most puissant prince, the Marquis and Earl  
most noble and puissant lord, the Viscount noble and puissant lord, the  
Baron a trusty lord. The Duke is his Grace; the other Peers their  
Lordships. Most honourable is higher than right honourable.  
"Lords who are peers are lords in their own right. Lords who are not  
peers are lords by courtesy:--there are no real lords, excepting such as  
are peers.  
"
The House of Lords is a chamber and a court, Concilium et Curia,  
2
2


Page
20 21 22 23 24

Quick Jump
1 236 472 708 944