The nation in an assembly freely chosen, declared its will, and the hereditary and irresponsible king executed it.

Such was the whole mechanism of the Constitution--a people--a king--a minister.

But the king irresponsible, and consequently passive, was evidently a concession to custom, the respectful fiction of suppressed royalty.
IV.
He was no longer will; for to will is to do.

He was not a functionary; for the functionary acts and replies.

The king did not reply.