[1237] Ibid., Lyons to Russell, Oct. 28, 1864.
[1238] Lyons Papers. Russell to Lyons, Nov. 19, 1864. Lyons reached London December 27, and never returned to his post in America. Lyons' services to the friendly relations of the United States and Great Britain were of the greatest. He upheld British dignity yet never gave offence to that of America; he guarded British interests but with a wise and generous recognition of the difficulties of the Northern Government. No doubt he was at heart so unneutral as to hope for Northern success, even though at first sharing in the view that there was small possibility of reunion, but this very hope--unquestionably known to Seward and to Lincoln--frequently eased dangerous moments in the relations with Great Britain, and was in the end a decided asset to the Government at home.
[1239] Nov. 26, 1864.
[1240] Nov. 22, 1864.
[1241] The gradual change in Punch's representation of a silly-faced Lincoln to one which bore the stamp of despotic ferocity is an interesting index of British opinion during the war. By 1864 those who watched his career had come to respect Lincoln's ability and power though as yet wholly unappreciative of his still greater qualities.
[1242] The Liberator, Sept. 23, 1864. Letter from T.H. Barker to Garrison, August 27, 1864.
[1243] Ibid., Nov. 4, 1864.
[1244] The Index, Sept. 29, 1864, p. 618, describing the meeting at Ashton.
[1245] The Liberator, Nov. 4, 1864.
[1246] The Index, Nov. 3, 1864, p. 699.