"Like the British Constitution, she owes her success in practice to her inconsistencies in principle"

This quote by Thomas Hardy is describing the British Constitution and its success in practice in spite of its disparities in principle. Hardy is suggesting that the British Constitution has achieved success in practice due to its capability to adjust and alter over time, despite its disparities in principle. This is likely a referral to the truth that the British Constitution is not jotted down in one file, but is rather a collection of laws, custom-mades, and conventions that have been developed over centuries. This versatility has permitted the British Constitution to remain relevant and effective in practice, in spite of its inconsistencies in principle. In other words, the British Constitution has had the ability to progress and adjust to altering times, while still preserving its core concepts.