The sober freedom out of which there springs
    Our loyal passion for our temperate kings

is an inheritance of our country which no theoretical discussions about forms of government can interfere with, unless we are insane enough to abandon the practical good sense that has brought the nation safely through so many perils, in deference to some a priori argument about the best form of government, and the logical result of some so-called principles.  In politics—­always using the term in its broad meaning, and not as denoting the disputes and manoeuvres of parties, like the contests between the green and blue factions of Byzantium—­there is a strong presumption that whatever is recommended as “logical” is also foolish.  It would be well to prescribe a severe course of Burke for the a priori theorists, and while they are occupied with it, set ourselves to the real work.  We should not forget, too, that Court influence, which in some past times fostered corruption in political life, has for eighty years been as a rule a purifying influence.  It would not be easy for any Minister, pressed by the political exigencies of the hour, to submit, even for formal approval, to a sovereign who has only the national interest to think of, perhaps most difficult of all to a high-minded and clear-headed woman, a course of action that was dishonourable or mean.

However important the influence of the Crown and the functions of a Second Chamber may be, it is the House of Commons which is the corner-stone of the Constitution.  Through it the will of the nation must be expressed, and embodied in definite action.  The representatives in that House are those chosen by the nation by regular and legal methods to exercise their judgment, to enact laws, and to control acts of the executive.  It is essential not only to maintain, but to restore the position of the House of Commons, and insure for it the respect and confidence of the people.  It is impossible to deny that respect and confidence have been shaken, and that the position of the House is threatened from two opposite quarters.  We hear it daily spoken of as “that talking shop”; it has been said that it would be better, instead of having a fine statue of Cromwell outside, to have a living Cromwell inside to purge it thoroughly.  The story of the officer who, on returning to England after long residence in the East, asked his father if “that nonsense was going on still,” represents a feeling which is widespread.  The present House of Commons, the existence of which has been necessarily prolonged, has been the subject of bitter and contemptuous criticism.  Much of that criticism is unfair.  In spite of the fact that its attention had first to be directed to questions directly affecting the War, it has passed the largest extension of the franchise ever made, and in doing so without doubt carried out the wish of the nation.  It got rid of the fetters imposed on the free expression