In a country where people did not care for the outward show of life, where the genius of the people was untheatrical, and they exclusively regarded the substance of things, this matter would be trifling.
Bagehot emphasizes the value of substance over superficiality in societal matters.
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The Parliament, the laws, the press were human institutions; but the Monarchy was a Divine institution.
Perhaps such powers as these are what a wise man would most seek to exercise and least fear to possess.
They are solely concerned with his attractiveness as a candidate; they need not regard his efficiency as a ruler.
The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
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