HONOUR, in the beau monde, has a meaning materially different from the above, and which it is easier to illustrate than define. It is, however, subject to a system of rules, called the law of honour, constructed by people of fashion, calculated to facilitate their intercourse with one another, and for no other purpose. Consequently, nothing is considered as inconsistent with honour, but what tends to incommodate this intercourse. Hence, as Archdeacon Paley states the matter, profaneness, neglect of public worship or private devotion, cruelty to servants, rigorous treatment of tenants or other dependents, want of charity to the poor, injuries done to tradesmen by insolvency or delay of payment, with numberless examples of the same kind, are
accounted no breaches of honour; because a man is not a less agreeable companion for these vices, nor the worse to deal with in those concerns which are usually transacted between one gentleman and another. — Again, the law of honour being constituted by men occupied in the pursuit of pleasure, and for the mutual convenience of such men, will be found, as might be expected from the character and design of the law-makers, to be, in most instances, favourable to the licentious indulgence of the natural passions. Thus it allows of fornication, adultery, drunkenness, prodigality, duelling, and revenge in the extreme; and lays no stress upon the virtues opposite to these.
HONOUR or RANK.—The degrees of honour which are observed in Britain may be comprehended under these two heads, viz. nobles maiores, and nobles minores. Those included under the first rank are, archbishops, dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, bishops, and barons; which are all distinguished by the respective ornaments of these escurcheons: and those of the last are baronets, knights, esquires, and gentlemen. There are some authors who will have baronets to be the last under the first rank; and their reason is, because their honour is hereditary, and by patent, as that of the nobility. See COMMONALTY AND NOBILITY.
HONOURS of War, in a siege, is, when a governor, having made a long and vigorous defence, is at last obliged to surrender the place to the enemy for want of men and provisions, and makes it one of his principal articles to march out with the honours of war; that is, with shouldered arms, drums beating, colours flying, and all their baggage, &c.
Military HONOURS. All armies salute crowned heads in the most respectful manner, drums beating a march, colours and standards dropping, and officers saluting. Their guards pay no compliment, except to the princes of the blood; and even that by courtesy, in the absence of the crowned head.
To the commander in chief the whole line turns out without arms, and the camp-guards beat a march, and salute. To generals of horse and foot, they beat a march, and salute. Lieutenant-generals of ditto, three ruffs, and salute. Major-generals of ditto, two ruffs, and salute. Brigadiers of ditto, rested arms, one ruff, and salute. Colonels of ditto, rested arms, and no beating. Centinels rest their arms to all field-officers, and shoulder to every officer. All governors, that are not general officers, shall, in all places where they are governors, have one ruff, with rested arms; but for those who have no commission as governors, no drum shall beat. Lieutenant-governors shall have the main-guard turned out to them with shouldered arms.
Prussian HONOURS of War, chiefly imitated by most powers in Europe, are,
To the king, all guards beat the march, and all officers salute. Field-marshals received with the march, and saluted in the king's absence. General of horse or foot, four ruffs; but if he commands in chief, a march and salute. Lieutenant-generals of horse or foot, commanding or not, guards beat three ruffs. Major-generals of horse and foot, two ruffs. Officers, when their guards are under arms, and a general makes a signal, must rest to him, but not beat; when not got under arms, and a signal made, only stand by their arms.
Honour. Village-guards go under arms only to the king, field-marshals, generals of horse and foot, and to the general of the day. Generals guards go under arms only to the king, field-marshals, and the general over whom they mount. Commanding officers of regiments and battalions, their own quarter and rear guards to turn out; but not to other field-officers, unless they are of the day. Generals in foreign service, the same.