The continental monarchies have only to defend compact European territories by the many soldiers whom they force to fight; the English try to defend without any compulsion--only by such soldiers as they persuade to serve--territories far surpassing all Europe in magnitude, and situated all over the habitable globe.
Bagehot contrasts the military strategies of continental monarchies with England's voluntary enlistment approach.
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I own that I do not entirely sympathise with the horror of these anomalies which haunts some of our best critics.
Political philosophy is still more imperfect; it has been framed from observations taken upon regular specimens of politics and States; as to these its teaching is most valuable.
But it is natural also that persons used to analyse political institutions should look at these anomalies with a little tenderness and a little interest.
It is natural that those who by special and admirable culture have come to look at all things upon the artistic side, should start back from these queer peculiarities.
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