They had begun their acquaintance by talking
generalities,--but drifted by degrees into the dangerous circle of
politics, and were skirting round the edge of various critical
questions of the day, when the Marquis said abruptly:
"An autocracy would not flourish in your country, I presume, Sir
Walter? The British people have been too long accustomed to sing that
they 'never, never will be slaves.' Your Government is really more or
less of a Republic."
"All Governments are so in these days, I imagine," replied Langton.
"Autocracy on the part of a monarch is nowhere endured, save in
Russia,--and what is Russia? A huge volcano, smouldering with fire, and
ever threatening to break out in flame and engulf the Throne! Monarchs
were not always wisdom personified in olden times,--and I venture to
consider them nowadays less wise and more careless than ever. Only a
return to almost barbaric ignorance and superstition would tolerate any
complete monarchical authority in these present times of progress. It
is only the long serfdom of Russia that hinders the triumph of Liberty
there, as elsewhere."
The Marquis listened eagerly, and with evident satisfaction.
"I agree with you!" he said. "You consider, then, that in no country,
under any circumstances, could the people be expected to obey their
monarch blindly?"
"Certainly not! Even Rome, with its visible spiritual Head and
Sovereign, has no real power.
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