Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1846-09-09
England, its Government and Nobility.
BY REV. G. COLLINS.


The government Of England is, and has
been since the days Of King John, a limit
ed monarchy. The kings power is linn
tied BY parliament, which consists Of the
Upper House, termed the House Of Lords.
and the Lower House, called the House of
Commons, corresponding in some measure
to the Senate and the House OF Representa-
tiyes, which constitute the Congress Of the
United States. The power of parliament
is legislative and absolute. The kings
power IS executive and limited. q
The king is the source from whence ev-
erynoble derives his nobility. His prerog.
atiye, g by which we mean," says Black
stone, . that spcial preeminence which the
king hath over and above oil other persons
is great.'' In the eye Of the English law,
he is perfect. He can neither do wrong,
nor mean wrong. Though he should be
guilty Of the darkest crimes before ne as
cends the throne, yet the moment the crown
presses his brow he is in the eye ofthe law,
purred Of all sin. His person is sacred and
cannot be arrested for debts. He is Com
mander in Chef Of the army, the source o.
all civil authority; hence every othcer IN
the empire receives his commission, and de-
riyes his power directly from the reigning
sovereign. According to law the king can
never die. A George or William may
die, but the king eternally lives. 9. the
throne IS never vacated; for the moment the
sovereign expires, the heir apparent IS
supposed to be visited with the regal pre-
rogatiye. The civil code of England never
mentions the death Of q king, but his demise.
One would suppose that an individual
possessing such vast power to be absolute.
But he is not; the king can make no new
law, he can only sanction those which have
passed Parliament. Though it is supposed
that he is above, and beyond the reach Of
the law, yet his councillors and minister's
are not, They are accountable for his
deeds I; on them the vengeance frequently
falls, which should fall upon the king. He
Is also dependent upon the House Of Com
monsfor his salary, and unless he acts in
accordance with their wishes, they will
deprive him Of the means to defray the ex-
penses df his household, and support the
dignity Of his station. He has no private
revenue, and Is not permitted, as king, to |
holdprivate property. He belongs to the
nation, and the nation 10 him. What we
havesaid Of theking will apply to thequeen
The next title ofdignity, after prince is
Duke. The dukes aregenerally near rela-
tives ofthe king, though occasionally one
Of the inferior nobility attain to the dignity,
as is the case with the present Duke OF
Wellington. The title and dignity Of duke
Ii generally hereditary. His income isl
derived from his own estates, unless he is q
member Of the royal family, then he re-
ceives . salary from the governmet. But
they are all assisted BY government inas-
much as they usually fH offices without
duties, and with large incomes Thel
brothers Of the reigning king and queen are
dukes. Besides those in England there are
10. The coronst Of an English Duke,
consists Of eight strawberry leaves, on i rim
,f gold he sstyled the Most Potent Prince
Your Grace. I.