Walter Bagehot: “It is with both an accepted secret doctrine that the Crown does more than it seems.”

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.

At last it strikes you that they grew up, house by house, on the devious tracks of the old green lanes; and if you follow on to the existing fields, you may often find the change half complete.

But it is natural also that persons used to analyse political institutions should look at these anomalies with a little tenderness and a little interest.

Political philosophy is still more imperfect; it has been framed from observations taken upon regular specimens of politics and States; as to these its teaching is most valuable.