The particular mode in which the English Ministers are selected; the fiction that they are, in any political sense, the Queen's servants; the rule which limits the choice of the Cabinet to the members of the legislature--are accidents unessential to its definition--historical incidents separable from its nature.
Bagehot argues that certain historical aspects of the Cabinet's formation are not essential to its function.
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No doubt this momentary gain is bought at a ruinous after-cost.
All savage religions are full of superstitions founded on luck.
That a House of Commons may work well it must perform, as we saw, five functions well: it must elect a Ministry well, legislate well, teach the nation well, express the nation's will well, bring matters to the nation's attention well.
Carlyle has taught the present generation many lessons, and one of these is that 'God-fearing' armies are the best armies.
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