Walter Bagehot: “Why have the real fortunes of mankind been so different from the fortunes which we should expect?”

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.

The lessons are good where its primitive assumptions hold, but may be false where those assumptions fail.

Just so the lines of our Constitution were framed in old eras of sparse population, few wants, and simple habits; and we adhere in seeming to their shape, though civilisation has come with its dangers, complications, and enjoyments.

I cannot, therefore, join in the full cry against anomalies; in my judgment it may quickly overrun the scent, and so miss what we should be glad to find.