We gave the best evidence of our belief in its power to 'bring luck;' we fought for it (if our elders were out of the way); we offered to buy it with many other fish from the envied holder, and I am sure I have often cried bitterly if the chance of the game took it away from me.
Bagehot reflects on the lengths to which people go to secure luck, often through emotional investment.
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More from Walter Bagehot
If the above reasoning be sound, compulsory constituencies are necessary, voluntary constituencies destructive; the optional transferability of votes is not a salutary aid, but a ruinous innovation.
The moderate people of every party must combine to support the Government which, on the whole, suits every party best.
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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