The despotism 'tempered by epigram,' was a government which permitted argument of licentious freedom within changing limits, and which was ruled by that argument spasmodically and practically, though not in name or consistently.
He describes a form of despotism that allowed for a degree of argumentative freedom, albeit inconsistently.
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More from Walter Bagehot
Now it is not conceivable that a race of beings with valuable instincts supporting their existence and supplying their wants would need these simple tools.
The power of free interchange of ideas being wanting, the ideas themselves were barren.
The Parliament, the laws, the press were human institutions; but the Monarchy was a Divine institution.
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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