Subalterns.

Ranking jointly amongst each other according to seniority, which is computed amongst the civilians from the date of their entering Class VI. and amongst the Subalterns from the date of their commissions.

PRECEDENCE AMONGST LADIES.

It is here proposed to state the general rules regarding this subject, accompanying each rule by such observations as may be necessary for its elucidation, and a brief notice of the several exceptions.

The rank of married women is derived from and corresponds to that of their husbands; but this rule admits of the following exceptions:

A woman noble by birth does not lose her rank if she marries a commoner; but it is otherwise should she marry a peer, for then her precedence is regulated by that of her husband. Although daughters of dukes and marquises take place above the wives of barons, yet the daughter of the premier duke of England would sink to the rank of a baroness if she married a baron: if, however, she married a lord by courtesy, or any other commoner, or a bishop, her rank, precedence, and title would remain unchanged. The widow of a peer, baronet, or knight, may retain her title notwithstanding a second marriage; but she does so only by courtesy; and strictly speaking, loses her precedence: it is, therefore, only those noble by birth who come within the limits of these observations.

That the official precedence of the husband is not

communicable to the wife, forms the next exception; yet this, though all but universal, has its own limitations; as for example, the wife of a lord mayor, or of the lord-lieutenant of Ireland.

The next exception is that of a married woman, who happens to be a peeress in her own right. She may through her husband hold a higher rank than that which belongs to her birth; but she does not lose her hereditary rank by one or more marriages, or by widowhood.

It is a general rule, that before marriage women have no titles or precedence otherwise than through their fathers; but, as stated above, their paternal distinctions cease if they marry peers, unless they should actually inherit a peerage. Several

ranks intervene between the eldest and the other sons of the same father, but with the daughters it is otherwise; they, in point of precedence, are as one unbroken series, ranking amongst each other according to seniority, the eldest coming next to the wife of the eldest son; and all of them several degrees above any of the wives of their younger brethren, provided those wives enjoy no distinctions by birth.

It is another general rule, that precedence acquired by marriage, is never lost by the forfeiture of the husband. Thus, an earl may be attainted, but his wife remains a countess.

It is also a rule, that the rank enjoyed by a woman in her own right, is incommunicable to her husband.

The following is a summary of these rules and exceptions :

Married women derive their rank from their husbands.

But, if noble, do not sink in the scale, by marrying a com

moner.

They do sink, if any of them marry a peer of inferior rank to that of their parent.

Official precedence is not communicable from husband to wife.

Except in the cases of Lord Mayor and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, esquires by office, and officers of the navy and

army.

Peeresses in their own right are unaffected by marrying below themselves in rank, and communicate no precedence to their husbands.

All daughters of peers rank next to the wife of their eldest brother.

Except they are otherwise possessed of higher rank.

The forfeiture of a husband's title does not destroy a wife's precedence.

Widows, by a second marriage, lose the precedence annexed to the first.

The foregoing statements are given as introductory to the subjoined table, without which, a complete view of the rules affecting female precedence could not have been presented. The authorities on which this table has been arranged, are not repeated here, having been already set forth in the general table of male precedence.

The Queen.

The Queen Dowager.

The Princess of Wales.

The Princess Royal.

The other daughters of the sovereign according to priority of birth.

Wives of the sovereign's sons according to the seniority of their husbands.

F

Wives of the sovereign's grandsons according to the seniority of their husbands. Granddaughters of the sovereign according to seniority of their parents.

Wives of the sovereign's brothers.

Nieces of the sovereign.

Wives of the sovereign's nephews.

Wives of the sovereign's uncles.

Other female descendants of the electress Sophia of Hanover, according to propinquity to the throne.

Duchesses of England.

Duchesses of Scotland.

Duchesses of Great Britain.

Duchesses of Ireland.

Duchesses of the United Kingdom. Marchionesses in the same subdivisions as Duchesses.

Wives of the eldest sons of Dukes.

Daughters of Dukes while unmarried, or when married to commoners, of course taking rank amongst each other under the rules which regulate their father's precedence.

Countesses of England.

Countesses of Scotland.

Countesses of Great Britain.

Countesses of Ireland (before the Union). Countesses of the United Kingdom, including those Countesses of Ireland whose titles were created subsequent to the Union.

Wives of the eldest sons of Marquises. Daughters of Marquises, taking precedence amongst each other in conformity with the

rule which applies to the daughters of Dukes.

Wives of the younger sons of Dukes.

Viscountesses, subdivided in the same manner as Countesses.

Wives of the eldest sons of Earls.

Daughters of Earls.

Wives of the younger sons of Marquises. Baronesses, subdivided in the same manner as

Countesses.

Wives of the eldest sons of Viscounts.

Wives of the younger sons of Earls.

Wives of the eldest sons of Barons.

Daughters of Barons.

Maids of Honour who, during their tenure of

office, bear the title of "Honourable."

Wives of Knights of the Garter.

Wives of Knights of the Thistle.

Wives of Knights of St. Patrick.

Wives of Bannerets made by the King in

person.

Wives of the younger sons of Viscounts.

Wives of the younger sons of Barons.

Wives of Baronets.

Wives of Bannerets not made by the King in

person.

Wives of Knights Grand Cross of the Bath.

Wives of Knights Grand Cross of St. Michael

and St. George.

Wives of Knights Commander of the Bath.

Wives of Knights Commander of St. Michael

and St. George.

Wives of Knights Bachelor.