Page:Debrett's Illustrated Peerage and Titles of Courtesy.djvu/56

 TITLES, ORDERS, AND DEGREES OF PRECEDENCE AND DIGNITY. THE origin of Heraldry, and of the use of family arms and mottoes, which form a prominent feature in the English system of "honours," has been ascribed with much appearance of truth to the necessity of leaders in battle bearing some device or mark by which their followers could constantly recognise them. These are beyond doubt of very ancient origin as ancient, probably, or nearly so, as the existence of war itself, though it was not until towards the later period of the middle ages that Heraldry was moulded into a science a designation it has substantially deserved. It was an important portion of the learning of times of ignorance, and still constitutes an elegant and interesting branch of investigation. The study of Heraldry, in all its innumerable quaint meanings and allusions, cannot be pursued long without opening up new and enlightened views upon important subjects and throwing light upon " dark places " in the manners of bygone times. The mere process of ascertaining the significance of offices, titles, emblems, ceremonials, &c. ? is a beneficial intellectual exercise, leading the mind back through many of the most stirring passages in history. But as the space assigned to this Essay does not permit us to enter into these details, we turn at once to our proper subject, namely, the TITLES, STATES, and DEGREES OF PRECEDENCE and DIGNITY, as existing in this country. I. We are told by ' distinguished writer on precedence, that " The Orders of State, and division of dp,rees and honours in the British government, consist of a king or monarch, noblemen or gentry, citizens freeborn, who are designated yeomen, and artizans or handicraftsmen."