same period the now United Kingdom has become the leading State in the greatest Empire which the world has known. Henry VIII. had fewer millions of subjects than could be counted upon the fingers of one hand. Over four hundred millions in Europe, America, Asia, and Africa, own Edward VII. to be their lord. He is entitled King of all the Britains and Emperor of India. His truest and most all-covering title would be 'British Emperor.' Of this vast population, between fifty and sixty millions live in the home islands or in self-governing States built upon the same model of government. The residue, some three hundred and fifty millions, are governed autocratically—using this word in its correct sense—by Government which, although bound by the laws which itself has made, and although it may, and usually does, take counsel with the governed, does not depend upon their express choice and assent for its existence. Supreme control, in the last resort, rests with the King's Government in London, so that the electorate of the United Kingdom determine by their choice the group of men who not only conduct the internal affairs of that kingdom and manage its forces, but exercise ultimate power over the autocratically ruled part of the Empire.
The King, then, if we compare his position with that in Tudor times, has lost in direct or personal power, but has become the centre point of an Empire of which the area constituting the Tudor's whole domain is, in a geographical sense, but the metropolitan province. In this Empire all power and law proceed in form from the occupant of the throne. It is the English way, as it was the Roman, and as it is that of Nature, to preserve carefully the form of things while the contents change. All legislation in the United Kingdom proceeds in form from the King, and Parliament assents. Monarchy, however much tempered by aristocracy and democracy, is, as it always has been, the essential form of English Government. As Empire has grown, this source of legislation and power has irrigated an increasing
