THE GOVERNMENT OF ENGLAND. 509 



medieval jargon ; but, placing aside hereditary evils 

 which, on account of vested interests, it is impossible 

 at once to remove, it may fairly be asserted that the 

 government of this country is as nearly perfect as any 

 government can be. Power rests upon public opinion, 

 and is so beautifully poised that it can be overthrown 

 and replaced without the business of the state being in- 

 terrupted for a day. If the Executive is condemned by 

 the nation, the press acts with irresistible force upon 

 the Commons ; a vote of censure is passed and the 

 rulers of a great empire abdicate their thrones. The 

 House of Lords is also an admirable Upper Chamber ; 

 for if it were filled with ambitious men elected by the 

 people it would enter into conflict with the Commons. 

 And as for the Koyal Image it costs little and is 

 useful as an emblem. The government of England 

 possesses at the same time the freedom which is 

 only found in a republic, and the loyalty which is 

 only felt towards a monarch. Some writers believe 

 that this monarchy is injurious to the public and 

 argue as follows : There are no paupers in America, 

 and America is a republic. There are many paupers 

 in England, and England is a monarchy. Therefore 

 England should imitate America, It may astonish 

 these writers to learn that America is m reality 

 more of a monarchy than England. Buckingham 

 Palace is a private dwelling ; but the White House, 

 though it has none of the pomp, has all the power 

 of a Court. The king of America has more to give 

 away than any king of Great Britain since the time of 

 Charles the Second. He has the power to discharge 

 of his own good pleasure and mere motion, every ambas- 

 sador, every consul, every head of department, every 

 government employe', down to the clerk on two hundred 



