The political temperament of her people, their method of organization, and their national ideals all took form at a time when international competition for colonies and trade was not very sharp, and when democracy had no philosophic or moral standing.

At the beginning of the eighteenth century the country was longing for domestic peace, and it was willing to secure peace at any price save that of liberty.

The leadership of the landed aristocracy and gentry secured to the British people domestic peace and civil liberty, and in return for these very great blessings they sold themselves to the privileged classes.

These privileged classes have probably deserved their privileges more completely than has the aristocracy of any other country.

They have been patriotic; they have shed their blood and spent their money on what they believed to be the national welfare; they introduced an honorable and an admirable _esprit de corps_ into the English public service; and they have been loyal to the great formative English political idea--the idea of liberty.