SURVIVAL OF INSTITUTIONS 303 



distinguished themselves in politics, but who from 

 advanced age are unable to take an active part in 

 public affairs. A great many sinecures are main- 

 tained for a similar purpose that of furnishing 

 practical though not nominal pensions to distin- 

 guished persons in art or science. 



" It may well be," says Viollet, " that an 

 institution, which at first sight seems to be a 

 mere useless wreck, is really of immense service 

 to society. The deep roots of a dead tree may 

 continue to furnish support to a new structure." 



It is by reason of this negative usefulness that 

 according to Bagehot the English monarchy 

 has been preserved, forming as it does a symbol 

 of unity and coherence amidst the electoral changes 

 of power. The English monarchy offers a char- 

 acteristic instance of an institution which has lost 

 nearly all its former functional importance, while 

 nominally retaining its power. According to 

 Bagehot, the Queen would now have to sign her 

 own death warrant if condemned by both Houses 

 of Parliament. The outer form, however, remains 

 almost the same as in the days of absolute monarchy, 

 when the sovereign took an active part in public 

 affairs. At within the last few years, the 

 Queen's signature was required to all official 

 documents. It was only in 1862 that a law 

 was passed deciding that for the future, promotions 

 in the Army or Navy should be signed either by 

 the Commander-in-Chief, or by the Secretary of 



