The concept did not wither and , on 5 January 1888 , British prime minister the Marquess of Salisbury submitted to the Queen a draft constitution for an Order of Merit in Science and Art , consisting of one grade split into two branches of knighthood : the Order of Scientific Merit - for Knights of Merit in Science , with the post-nominal letters KMS and the Order of Artistic Merit - for Knights of Merit in Art , with the post-nominal letters KMA . The concept did not wither and , on 5 January 1888 , British prime minister the Marquess of Salisbury submitted to the Queen a draft constitution for an Order of Merit in Science and Art , consisting of one grade split into two branches of knighthood : the Order of Scientific Merit for Knights of Merit in Science , with the post-nominal letters KMS and the Order of Artistic Merit for Knights of Merit in Art , with the post-nominal letters KMA .