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 majores, 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 their escutcheons; 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 COMMUNALTY AND NOBILITY.