260 years ago today (December 12 in the old calendar), Henry St John, 1st Viscount Bolingbroke passed on.
Alexis Simon Belle: Henry St John, 1st Viscount BolingbrokeLord Bolingbroke wrote The Idea of a Patriot King, in which – amongst other things – he wrote:
Among many reasons which determine me to prefer monarchy to every form of government, this is a principal one. When monarchy is the essential form, it may be more easily and more usefully tempered with aristocracy, or democracy, or both, than either of them, when they are the essential forms, can be tempered with monarchy. It seems to me, that the introduction of a real permanent monarchical power, or any thing more than the pageantry of it, into either of these, must destroy them and extinguish them, as a greater light extinguishes a less. Whereas it may easily be shown, and the true form of our government will demonstrate, without seeking any other example, that very considerable aristocratical and democratical powers may be granted on a monarchical stock, without diminishing the lustre, or restraining the power and authority of the prince, enough to alter in any degree the essential form.
3 comments:
As much as I wish it were true, I think the niggardly way the Brisith government is treating they Queen, and has treated all monarchs since 1911 shows the mistake in Lord Bolingbroke's words. Today, the Sovereign is reduced to nearly the status of a beggar. She has to pay taxes! It is shameful. I pray that Her Majesty be roused and throw off all the indecent circumscriptions of her power and authority.
I am afraid you are right, sir.
I recently saw a couple of YouTube videos -- without actually watching them, they were long -- on King George V and Queen Mary, the royal couple who “saved” the monarchy. The monarchy was “saved” by being all but totally emasculated in real terms. Some salvation!
I don't worry too much about Her Britannic Majesty having to pay taxes. I am more concerned about her being reduced to a figurehead.
On the other hand, sir, it is easy to make the case that -- in real terms -- the primary form of government in the United Kingdom and the other Commonwealth Realms is democracy -- not monarchy.
Post a Comment