Walter Bagehot: “The Parliament, the laws, the press were human institutions; but the Monarchy was a Divine institution.”

Subject to this saving remark, however, I not only admit, but maintain, that our Constitution is full of curious oddities, which are impeding and mischievous, and ought to be struck out.

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.

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.

I own that I do not entirely sympathise with the horror of these anomalies which haunts some of our best critics.