work entitled "The Art of Conversing."

CHAPTER V

PRECEDENCY

The order of precedency due to each individual according to rank is a
matter of great importance at official banquets and at ceremonious
dinner-parties, when its correct observance should be strictly
adhered to.

* * * * *

=As regards Precedency amongst Royal Personages=, the Sovereign takes
precedence of all others in the realm; the King takes precedence of
Queen Mary. The Prince of Wales takes precedence of the Duke of
Connaught. Queen Alexandra takes precedence of the Royal Princesses. The
Royal Princesses take precedence of their husbands, Prince Christian and
the Duke of Argyll.

* * * * *

=The Precedency accorded to Foreign Royal Personages= in this country
very much depends upon their individual rank. Imperial Highnesses and
Royal Highnesses take precedence of Serene Highnesses.

* * * * *

=The Precedency accorded to Eastern Princes= is generally synonymous
with that accorded to Serene Highnesses; but in some instances the
claims of individual precedency are so difficult to define, that in
official cases it is sometimes necessary to make a special rule as to
the amount of precedency to be allowed.

* * * * *

=As regards General Precedency=, archbishops, ambassadors, The Lord High
Chancellor, The Prime Minister, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, Lord
President of the Council, and Lord Privy Seal, take precedence of
dukes; dukes take precedence of earls, and so on throughout the various
degrees of nobility.

* * * * *

=Foreign Ministers and Envoys= take precedence next after dukes, in the
order of their seniority of service in England. In all cases where
precedency is to be established between persons of equal rank it is
necessary to refer to a Peerage for date of creation of title, as this
actually decides all precedency.

* * * * *

=For Precedency due to Baronets= and their wives a Baronetage should
be consulted.

* * * * *

=For Precedency due to Knights= and their wives a Knightage should be
consulted in reference to each order of knighthood.

* * * * *

=For the Precedency due to the Legal Profession= a Law List should be
consulted when it is not defined by office or birt