ACCIDENTAL in its origin, with its powers undefined
and largely hypothetical, the English Cabinet system
has nevertheless become the standard and type of
responsible government, in its Parliamentary form.
Only by this extremely delicate and complicated
arrangement, this nice balance of interests and
powers, this combination of a council of state with
a party directorate, does the machine work with
some ease and smoothness. No other arrangement
seems able quite so effectively to place the centre of
authority under the control of those who are sup-
posed to represent the popular will. It is claimed
for it that it maintains the democratic principle of
referring the ultimate decision to the people them-
selves, and gives them full liberty in the choice of
their rules and law-makers; that it ensures the
exercise of the functions of government by a body
of persons, whose views are in consonance with the
majority of the popular chamber; that it confers
on the executive the strength and wide discretion
necessary for stable administration, and at the same
time renders it responsible at all times to the great
jury, whose members are themselves accountable to

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