The House of Lords was a second-rate force, even when the peers were a first-rate force, because the greatest peers, those who had the greatest social importance, did not care for their own House, or like it, but gained great part of their political power by a hidden but potent influence in the competing House.
Bagehot critiques the perceived equality of the House of Lords and House of Commons.
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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.
It is absurd to choose by contested party election an impartial chooser of Ministers.
The whole history of civilisation, is strewn with creeds and institutions which were invaluable at first, and deadly afterwards.
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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