this nation is fortunate in so much as it is not governed by force.
 but by a chain of traditions that have been cherished from generation to generation, because in them -- in our traditions -- are embodied all the laws which have enabled us to create the greatest empire of modern times.
 but, even though we have amassed great capital and even though we have established an industry with no parallel in the world, yet all these mighty creations are as nothing compared to the invisible customs that shape our lives. to those honorable gentlemen of the opposition who seek to destroy the essential elements of this country, i say let them remember: england cannot begin again.
the cartoon or her majesty's absenteeism?
the question is, do we need her?
my dear stanley, a prime minister with only a handful of friends must respect public opinion.
gossip counts. lord aberdeen was right. this country is not governed by wisdom but by talk. granted, it wouldn't take much to winkle the old girl out of mourning, but if public opinion is against her, then it doesn't do to appear too close.
we'll see which way the wind blows.
ah, the greasy pole.
it's my position i'm thinking of.
i hope he got his mother's permission.
lord salisbury!
and in your opinion? is she foolish?
what?
la superstition met le monde entier en flammes.
has anybody seen this .  mr brown?
he would hardly make a very good personal assistant if he did not.
your royal highness. what a pleasure to see you here.
i don't think i've had that pleasure.
i take no account of gossip, your highness.
of course.
i see.
a situation?
i'm flattered you think so.
quite.
to know when he'll be king.
we're going to lose.
gladstone's got his party facing the same way for the first time in years. we need help. where is the old girl?
mrs brown.
in the press, perhaps. but she's sold more copies of her highland journal in three months than punch will ever sell in a year. time to wheel her out.
what's her excuse this time?
i was trying to imagine "rather upset."
not at all, dean. good of you to spare the time.
you've seen the latest cartoon in punch, i take it?
one of our madder brethren in the house was calling for disestablishment of the monarchy.
no. but it has now become a matter for our consciences. i was just telling stanley how vital it is that the nation should feel the visible influence of the sovereign. as a reminder that parliament, indeed my own ministry, depends on the will of the queen.
we hear from balmoral that mr brown is interesting her majesty in some of the forms of worship associated with .  low-church presbyterian.
oh, several things.
yesterday, gladstone talked for three hours on the irish church bill .  i am as guilty as the rest of underestimating his reforming zeal. tory days may be numbered, but i fancy there yet remains one last hope of deliverance. wheresoever the blame lies, we must now close ranks and defend mrs brown's england. as for my interminable journey to the land of calvin, oatcakes and sulphur .
 no prime minister made greater sacrifice than attempting to run the country six hundred miles north of civilization.
your majesty remains at the very epicenter of governance. as for your people, look no further than the sales of your highland journals to see in what affection the nation holds their queen. you sell even more copies than mr dickens.
of course i understand your concern. you miss your people. and they miss you.
indeed, and for that they are eternally grateful.
in so many ways .  and yet it is your presence they crave. a figurehead.
forgive me, ma'am, i cannot speak for the nation, only for myself. as prime minister i confess i miss your presence, but that is only an expression of my own selfish desires and i should not burden you with it.
no, ma'am.
yes.
a man can refuse only so many invitations from his queen. it was remiss of me not to come earlier.
i am a blank sheet.
occasionally.
to shoot perhaps, but not to kill.
well then, i'll do my best.
quite.
i've been called back to london. my last day. i thought i might take a walk on lochnagar.
princes and lords are but the breath of kings, an honest man's the noblest work of god. you must miss such magnificent views.
forgive me, i've called you out and you should have been resting.
you're injured.
still, someone must attend you. your wife should not have let you out.
oh.
i confess, i sometimes feel as if i am not married myself, i see my wife so little. but i'm forgetting the rewards.
the look on their faces when one walks into the room. still gives one a ridiculous thrill.
surely --
was there never ambition?
then i envy yo.
to have achieved one's ambition, or to have reconciled oneself to its limits, is a lifetime's work.
for her majesty.
but yourself? what about john brown?
no other aspiration?
you will not be unaware of the threat now posed by republicanism.
ah, but therein lies the paradox. it is her very isolation that encourages the malcontents. the longer she is away, the stronger they become; and who, honestly, can promise security against that? however many doors you lock, someone will always get in. even here.
the truth is, the queen would be safer doing her duty and returning south to her public. john bull loves her and john bull is her best defense.
she trusts you, john.
see what?
they aren't as watchful as you.
the greasy pole.
no love.
for once in my life, i am not the issue.
in time, she will.
but others will know that you acted for the greater good.
the people of england have expressed in a manner which cannot be mistaken, that they will uphold the ancient monarchy of england .
 if the first great object of the tory party is to maintain the institutions of the country, the second is, in my opinion, to maintain the empire of england .  the hereditary, the traditionary policy of the tory party. go to your homes, teach them these truths, which will soon be imprinted on the conscience of the land .