NOTE ON TITLES.
The young journalist will never make an error as to the title of an individual, and his proper style and address, if he will but learn to trust the books of reference provided by the office.
They are far more accurate than other works of the kind.[23] Contrast, for instance, Bowley’s Peerage and Baronetage with Bowley’s Register of Events during the past year.
What may be called “derivative titles” differ in the most complicated manner according to the rank of the parent. It would be quite impossible for the journalist to attempt to learn them. He had far better write plain “Lord” and “Lady” where he has occasion to, and on all other occasions whatsoever, “Mr.” or, if he prefer the term, “Esquire.” In conversation no Lord should be addressed as “My Lord,” but a Bishop should always be so addressed; no Duke should be called “Your Grace” to his face, but it is courteous to bestow this honour upon an Archbishop. It is still more important to avoid the term “milady” in speaking to the consorts of the above named, especially in the case of bishops’ wives, to whom the title does not apply. Baronets, on the other hand, must always be addressed as “Sir,” followed by a Christian name. The omission to do this has led to grievous trouble. The principal English titles are, Prince, Duke, Marquis, Marquess (a more recent creation), Earl, Baron; then comes a division; then Irish Peers, Baronets, Knights, and finally Members of the Victorian Order.
The principal foreign titles are Count, Viscount (which by the way is also an English title, but I forgot it), Vidame, Chevalier, Excellency, Graf, Furst, Margrave, Baron, Boyar, Monsignor, and Grandee—the latter used only in Spain, Ceuta, and the other Spanish dominions beyond the seas.
Imperial titles are:—the Maharajah, the Maharanee, the Akon of Swat, the Meresala of Baghirmi, the Oyo of Oya, the Allemami of Foutazallam, the Ameer, the Emir, the Bally-o-Gum of Abe-o-Kuta,[24] and others too numerous to mention. All these should, in general, be addressed as Your Highness.
Colonials are called “The Honourable.”