We cannot yet explain--I am sure, at least, I cannot attempt to explain--all the singular phenomena of national character: how completely and perfectly they seem to be at first framed; how slowly, how gradually they can alone be altered, if they can be altered at all.
Bagehot admits the complexity of explaining national character and its gradual evolution over time.
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More from Walter Bagehot
In early society, originality in life was forbidden and repressed by the fixed rule of life.
The Parliament, the laws, the press were human institutions; but the Monarchy was a Divine institution.
They have given what I may call a CONFIDENCE IN THE UNIVERSE.
The work would be done so well that we should not want any one to look over or revise it.
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