Subjects

The British Constitution

Passages examining Britain’s sometimes baffling constitutional monarchy, and telling the story of its enemies, its champions, and its reformers.

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7

Wait and See

Edmund Burke urged Englishmen not to congratulate the French revolutionaries on their new-found liberty until they knew what they would do with it.

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Picture: By Jean-Pierre Houël (1735–1813), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.

8

A Dereliction of Duty

Edmund Burke tore into the directors of the East India Company, accusing them of doing less for the country than India’s mediaeval conquerors.

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Picture: By Percy Carpenter (1820-1895), via Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.

9

The Most Liberal State in Europe

French essayist Voltaire provoked the wrath of his government by explaining how England was superior to every European state including the Roman Empire.

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Picture: © sirpecangum, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 3.0.. Source.

10

English Spirit

Edmund Burke told the House of Commons that the American colonies’ refusal to be dictated to by Westminster was the very spirit that had made the Empire great.

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Picture: by Don Troiani (1949-), Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain image.. Source.

11

Mistress Liberty

Lord Halifax tacks gratefully into the Winds of Liberty, though he trims his sails to avoid being blown into republicanism.

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Picture: By Frans van Mieris the Younger (1689–1763), via the Fitzwilliam Museum and Wikimedia Commons. Licence: Public domain.. Source.

12

Dominion and Liberty

Following the Restoration of King Charles II, the country charted a well-planned course between the extremes of civil licence and Government control.

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Picture: © Shakko, Wikimedia Commons. Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0.. Source.