THE Theory and Practice OF The English Government BY THOMAS FRANCIS MORAN, PH.D. NEW EDITION LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO LONDON, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA OMW OL CYTLOBNI JN318 717 Copyright, 1903, BY LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. First Edition, January, 1903 Reprinted with Revisions, June, 1903 Reprinted, September, 1907; May, 1908 (Revised) TH PREFACE HE purpose of this book is to place before American readers a concise account of the theory and practice of the English government. An effort has been made to present within reasonable compass a description of the actual working of the English government with some reference to its history and theory. In the preparation of the book the writer has had the benefit of the advice and criticisms of several scholars both in England and in the United States. There are a few, however, to whom special acknowledgments are due. Mr. Alfred Fellows and Mr. Henry Smyth, of Birmingham, England, and Professor Emma Mont. McRae, of Purdue University, read the entire manuscript, and made many valuable suggestions and corrections both as to form and content. Professor George H. Emmott, of University College, Liverpool, read the manuscript of the earlier chapters, and gave the writer the benefit of his comprehensive historical and legal knowledge of English institutions. Mr. E. W. Kemmerer, of Purdue University, has also rendered a very valuable service by reading the proof-sheets of the entire book. T. F. MORAN. CONTENTS England and constitutional government-Written and unwritten constitutions - Powers of the Crown - Heredity - Theory THE SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE AND THE Continuity of the kingly office - The succession - Germanic Definition of prerogative — Theoretical prerogatives - Theory Royal messages to Parliament - The Crown and the Foreign Secretary - The Crown as household-Crown's private secretary- Abuse of patron- Crown as Commander-in-chief of the army and navy - Power to declare war - Treaty-making power -- The Crown as head of the Church- The Crown as the "fountain of honour"— 25 |