The case of first impression will always be that something shameful has happened; that such and such men did die; that this and that gun would not go off; that this or that ship will not sail.
Bagehot describes the typical narrative that emerges during governmental failures, focusing on blame and tragedy.
Share
More from Walter Bagehot
Those who doubt should go out into their kitchens.
The progress of the military art is the most conspicuous, I was about to say the most SHOWY, fact in human history.
Thirdly, we see why so few nations have made rapid advance, and how many have become stationary.
I do not think I put this too high when I say that a most important if not the most important object of early legislation was the enforcement of LUCKY rites.
Other voices in this conversation
