242 THE PATH OF DEGENERATIVE EVOLUTION 



remain of the old democratic system in which the 

 king was elected by the people. 1 



The English sovereignty of the present day is 

 merely a decorative institution, the real head of the 

 Government being the Prime Minister, who is 

 nominated in fact if not in theory by the public. 

 This system may almost be regarded as a return 

 to bygone democracy. Nobody would wish, how- 

 ever, to revive the old system of elective sovereignty, 

 and to retrace in an inverse direction the various 

 stages of its degeneration. 



CHAPTER III 



CAN RUDIMENTARY ORGANS OR INSTITUTIONS RE- 

 DEVELOP AND ASSUME NEW FUNCTIONS ? 



THE few facts which we are able to cite on this 

 subject must be received with considerable caution. 



1 The formality of an election disappeared during the Tudor 

 period. The coronation of Henry VIII. was the last occasion on 

 which the formula was read which set forth the national agree- 

 ment with and recognition of, the succession. The king was, in 

 fact, declared chosen and elected. This formula of election, which 

 disappeared after the coronation of Henry VIII., is recalled to mind 

 by the conclusion of the coronation ceremony of the present day. 

 The archbishop, walking in succession to all four corners of the 

 platform upon which the throne is placed, addresses the people in 

 the following terms : ' ' Gentlemen, I herewith present to you the 

 undisputed sovereign of the realm. Come all who are present and 

 offer homage to him. Are you prepared to offer it?" and the 

 people signifying their assent by acclamation, cry, ' ' God save the 

 Queen " or "God save the King." (De Franqueville, Le gouverne- 

 ment et le parlemcnt Britanniques, i., p. 291.) 



