No. III, "The Monarchy (continued)", p. 58
The English Constitution (1867)
Quotes from book
The English Constitution
The English Constitution is a book by Walter Bagehot. First serialised in The Fortnightly Review between 15 May 1865 and 1 January 1867, and later published in book form in 1867, it explores the constitution of the United Kingdom—specifically the functioning of Parliament and the British monarchy—and the contrasts between British and American government. The book became a standard work which was translated into several languages.
No. V, The House of Commons, p. 155
Bagehot was commenting on the method of selecting Presidential candidates in the United States.
The English Constitution (1867)
No. III, "The Monarchy (continued)", p. 75
The English Constitution (1867)
No. V, The House of Commons, p. 137
The English Constitution (1867)
“Nations touch at their summits.”
No. IV, The House of Lords, p. 120
The English Constitution (1867)
No. I, "The Cabinet", p. 29
The English Constitution (1867)
No. I, "The Cabinet", p. 14
The English Constitution (1867)
Introduction, p. xxi
The English Constitution (1867)
Introduction, p. xii
The English Constitution (1867)
“Cabinet governments educate the nation; the presidential does not educate it, and may corrupt it.”
No. I, "The Cabinet", p. 19
The English Constitution (1867)
No. VII, Its Supposed Checks and Balances, p. 250
From SHAKESPEARE: THE INDIVIDUAL, quote attributed to Bagehot says: "The greatest pleasure in life is doing what other people say you cannot do."
The English Constitution (1867)
No. V, The House of Commons, p. 159
Cf the Gettysburg Address.
The English Constitution (1867)
“The issue put before these electors was, which of two rich people will you choose?”
Introduction, p. xiii
The "old electors" Bagehot refers to were the £10 borough householders enfranchised by the Reform Act of 1832.
The English Constitution (1867)
Context: But the mass of the old electors did not analyse very much: they liked to have one of their "betters" to represent them; if he was rich they respected him much; and if he was a lord, they liked him the better. The issue put before these electors was, which of two rich people will you choose? And each of those rich people was put forward by great parties whose notions were the notions of the rich—whose plans were their plans. The electors only selected one or two wealthy men to carry out the schemes of one or two wealthy associations.
