The existence of the monarchy and the character of three successive sovereigns, and their real personal interest in its people, are among the causes why India has been, and especially why the Native States have been, as a rule, so loyal in this time of danger, when the support of the whole Empire was so much needed.
In our own country the example set of ever ready and earnest sympathy with all who are suffering from the effects of the War, feeling its strain and bearing its burdens, from the highest to the humblest, and also of that simplicity of life now so vitally important for all in the time of general self-denial, which is necessary or, at any rate, a duty for all, has been one of the real factors in knitting all classes of the nation together in useful service and willing sacrifice.

Could anyone read the royal speech to the nation on July 6th, 1918, and the words of the Archbishop of Canterbury at St.Paul's, and of the leaders in Parliament, without feeling what a mighty influence for good there is in the British monarchy?
Those words were not decorous platitudes demanded by convention, but the expression of genuine and intense feeling.
The sober freedom out of which there springs Our loyal passion for our temperate kings is an inheritance of our country which no theoretical discussions about forms of government can interfere with, unless we are insane enough to abandon the practical good sense that has brought the nation safely through so many perils, in deference to some _a priori_ argument about the best form of government, and the logical result of some so-called principles.

In politics--always using the term in its broad meaning, and not as denoting the disputes and manoeuvres of parties, like the contests between the green and blue factions of Byzantium--there is a strong presumption that whatever is recommended as "logical" is also foolish.

It would be well to prescribe a severe course of Burke for the _a priori_ theorists, and while they are occupied with it, set ourselves to the real work.

We should not forget, too, that Court influence, which in some past times fostered corruption in political life, has for eighty years been as a rule a purifying influence.