'I have not thought it necessary to give a separate and distinct
reply to the theory of Mr. Congreve, that Roman Imperialism was the
type of all good government, and a desirable precedent for ourselves.
Those who feel any penchant for the notion, I should strongly
recommend to read the answer of Professor G. Smith, in the Oxford
Essays for 1856, which is as complete and crushing as that
gentleman's performances usually are. But in order to convey to the
uninitiated some idea of the state of society under Caesarian rule,
and which a Caesarian rule, so far as mere government is concerned,
if it does not produce, has never shewn any tendency to prevent, let
us give reins to imagination for a moment, and picture to ourselves a
few social and political analogies in our own England of the
nineteenth century.

'An entire revolution has taken place in our principles, manners, and
form of government. Parliaments, meetings, and all the ordinary
expressions of the national will, are no longer in existence. A free
press has shared their fate. There is no accredited organ of public
opinion; indeed there is no public opinion to record. Lords and
Commons have been swept away, though a number of the richest old
gentlemen in London meet daily at Westminster to receive orders from
Buckingham Palace. But at the palace itself has broken out one of
those sanguinary conspiracies which have of late become unceasing.
The last heir of the house of Brunswick is lying dead with a dagger
in his heart, and everything is in frightful confusion. The armed
force of the capital are of course "masters of the situation," and
the Guards, after a tumultuous meeting at Windsor or Knightsbridge,
have sold the throne to Baron Rothschild, for a handsome donation of
25 pounds a-piece. Lord Clyde, however, we may be sure, is not
likely to stand this, and in a few months will be marching upon