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 Ch.VIIL] Fountain of Honours, ^c. lOT prized of its existence, and may be enabled to perform the injunctions it contains. In the absence of any express authorities on the point, it should seem that if the proclamation be under the great seal, it need not be made by any particular class of individuals, or in particular manner or place : and that it would suffice if it were made by any one, under the King's authority, in the market-place or public streets of each large town. It always appears in the Gazette. Sdly. Consequences of disobedience to a Proclamation, Where the law gives a right, it tacitly affords a remedy for the infraction of it: it would be useless to possess a right unless means were provided to render it efficacious. There can therefore be no doubt that disobedience to a legal procla- mation is punishable by fine and imprisonment; and though the matter prohibited be an offence by law before the issuing of the proclamation, yet the disobeying it, when legal, is, of itself, an offence for which the party is liable to be punished (a). n^ » " CHAP. VIII. Of the King as the Fountain of Honours^ Dignities, Privileges^ and Franchises; and the nature of them, " It is impossible," says Sir Wm. Blackstone, " that a govern- ment can be maintained without a due subordination of rank, that the people may know and distinguish such as are set over them, in order to yield them their due respect and obedience; and also that the officers themselves being encouraged by emulation and the hopes of superiority, may the better dis- charge their functions : and the law supposes, that no one can be so good a judge of their several merits and services as the King himself who employs them {b). The Crown alone there- (a) 12 Co. 74. See Hob. 251. origin of dignities, 3 Cruibc Di^. 171. (A) 1 Bla. Com. 271, 396. As to the Scld. Titles of Honour. fore