The monarch, thought Disraeli, embodies the national elements in a form of abiding and unarbitrary influence; he is above interest and beyond party; his position prevents, his functions collide with, any favouritism of any class. A King at one with public opinion can prove a real check on individual designs, ministerial mistakes, private cajoleries, public passions. “The proper leader of the people is the individual who sits upon the throne.” “‘And yet,’ said Coningsby, ‘the only way to terminate what is called class legislation is not to entrust power to classes.... _The only power that has no class sympathy is the Sovereign._’ “‘But suppose the case of an arbitrary Sovereign, what would be your check against him?’ “‘The same as against an arbitrary Parliament.’ “‘But a Parliament is responsible ... to its constituent body.’ “‘Suppose it was to vote itself perpetual?’ “‘But public opinion would prevent that.’ “‘And is public opinion of less influence on an individual than on a body?’ “‘But public opinion may be indifferent. A nation may be misled--may be corrupt.’ “‘If the nation that elects the Parliament be corrupt, the elected body will resemble it.... But this only shows that there is something to be considered beyond forms of government--national character....’ “‘But do you then declare against Parliamentary government?’ “‘Far from it. _I look upon political change as the greatest of evils, for it comprehends all._ But if we have no faith in the permanence of the existing settlement--if the very individuals who established it are year after year proposing their modifications or their reconstructions--so, also, while we uphold what exists, ought we to prepare ourselves for the change we deem impending. Now, I would not that either ourselves or our fellow-citizens should be taken unawares as in 1832, when the very men who opposed the Reform Bill offered contrary objections to it which destroyed each other, so ignorant were they of its real character, historical causes, its political consequences.... For this purpose I would accustom the public mind to the contemplation of an existing though torpid power in the constitution, capable of removing our social grievances.... _The House of Commons is the house of a few; the Sovereign is the sovereign of all._’”