The English ConstitutionA classic study of the British constitution, paying special attention to how Parliament and the monarchy work. The author frequently draws comparisons with the American Constitution, being generally critical of the American system of government. |
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Page x
... representatives an obedience to those opinions ; that they were in fact guided
in their judgment by the better educated classes ; that they preferred
representatives from those classes , and gave X INTRODUCTION TO THE
SECOND EDITION .
... representatives an obedience to those opinions ; that they were in fact guided
in their judgment by the better educated classes ; that they preferred
representatives from those classes , and gave X INTRODUCTION TO THE
SECOND EDITION .
Page xi
They were not influenced by ideas , but by facts ; not by things palpable , but by
things impalpable . Not to put too fine a point upon it , they were influenced by
rank and wealth . No doubt the better sort of them believed that those who were ...
They were not influenced by ideas , but by facts ; not by things palpable , but by
things impalpable . Not to put too fine a point upon it , they were influenced by
rank and wealth . No doubt the better sort of them believed that those who were ...
Page xvi
Oh , ” he answered , “ when I do not know what to say , I say Gladstone , and then
they are sure to cheer , and I have time to think . ” In fact , that popularity acted as
a guide both to constituencies and to members . The candidates only said they ...
Oh , ” he answered , “ when I do not know what to say , I say Gladstone , and then
they are sure to cheer , and I have time to think . ” In fact , that popularity acted as
a guide both to constituencies and to members . The candidates only said they ...
Page xx
But I answer that the lesson is not observed in fact ; people do not do their
political sums so . Of all our political dangers , the greatest I conceive is that they
will reglect the lesson . In plain English , what I fear is - thàt both our political
parties will ...
But I answer that the lesson is not observed in fact ; people do not do their
political sums so . Of all our political dangers , the greatest I conceive is that they
will reglect the lesson . In plain English , what I fear is - thàt both our political
parties will ...
Page xxvi
It would teach the House of Lords that it might shut its eyes to all the facts of real
life , and decide simply by an abstract formula . ... Whether a Bill has come up
once only , or whether it has come up several times , is one important fact in
judging ...
It would teach the House of Lords that it might shut its eyes to all the facts of real
life , and decide simply by an abstract formula . ... Whether a Bill has come up
once only , or whether it has come up several times , is one important fact in
judging ...
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LibraryThing Review
User Review - patito-de-hule - LibraryThingWalter Bagehot was editor of the Economist and his name is still on the weekly page about England. This book describes the English Constitution and compares it favorably with the United States Constitution. Read full review
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Common terms and phrases
able action administration American arguments assembly authority believe better body cabinet cabinet government chamber choose constitution course critical Crown defect difficulty discussion educated effect election England English equal executive existence experience fact feeling force foreign function George give greatest head House of Commons House of Lords ideas important influence interest keep king leader least legislation legislature less live look majority matter means ment mind minister ministry monarch nation nature never object once opinion opposition Parliament parliamentary government party peers perhaps persons political popular possible present President principle probably Queen questions reason representatives respect result rule society sort sovereign speak statesmen sure theory things thought tion true vote whole wish
Popular passages
Page 72 - Having once given her sanction to a measure, that it be not arbitrarily altered or modified by the Minister; such an act she must consider as failing in sincerity towards the Crown, and justly to be visited by the exercise of her Constitutional right of dismissing that Minister.
Page 73 - To state the matter shortly, the sovereign has, under a constitutional monarchy such as ours, three rights — the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, the right to warn. And a king of great sense and sagacity would want no others.
Page 14 - hyphen which joins, a buckle which fastens the legislative part of the State to the executive part".
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Page 10 - The efficient secret of the English Constitution may be described as the close union, the nearly complete fusion, of the executive and legislative powers.
Page 293 - FIRST BOOK OF BOTANY. Designed to Cultivate the Observing Powers of Children. With 300 Engravings, New and Cheaper Edition. Crown 8vo.
Page 293 - YOUMANS (Eliza A.). An Essay on the Culture of the Observing Powers of Children, especially in connection with the Study of Botany. Edited, with Notes and a Supplement, by Joseph Payne, FCP, Author of " Lectures on the Science and Art of Education,
Page 292 - BRIEFS AND PAPERS. Being Sketches of the Bar and the Press. By Two Idle Apprentices. Crown 8vo. 7^. 6d. " Written with spirit and knowledge, and give some curious glimpses into what the majority will regard as strange and unknown territories." — Daily News. " This is one of the best books to while away an hour and cause a generous laugh that we have come across for a long time.
Bibliographic information
| Title | The English Constitution The Making of the Modern Law |
| Author | Walter Bagehot |
| Edition | 2, reprint |
| Publisher | H. S. King & Company, 1872 |
| Original from | Harvard University |
| Digitized | 13 Mar 2008 |
| Length | 291 pages |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |