"So many unexpected things" : contingency and character in modern political thought -- "Without the prescription of the law" : virtue and discretion in Locke's theory of prerogative -- "All was confusion and disorder" : regularity and character in Hume's political thought -- "The king can do no wrong" : Blackstone on the executive in law -- "It squints towards monarchy" : constitutional flexibility and the powers of the president -- A "patriotic and dignifying president" : republican virtue and the presidency -- Conclusion
