Charles Francis Adams to his son
London, October 2, 1863
We go on very quietly here just now. Mr. Sumner’s speech has not made much noise here, because none of the newspapers choose to reprint it. One good effect has attended it in the impulse it has given to Lord Russell to make a speech in reply, which goes a little farther on the road of peace than anything yet done. The formal retirement of Mr. Mason because Lord Russell does not incline to pet him, has not produced the smallest effect — any more than the violent, incendiary posters to be seen at all the corners, calling on the people to come to the rescue of the suffering confederates. The lower classes are most generally with us or indifferent, so that I am a little surprised such fancies, which cost money, should be indulged at all. The only mob that could be raised here in sympathy with the rebels would be among the nobility and the men of property and standing on the exchange, and that would not go far to lift any sinking party out of the mud. Their affection for the South depends entirely on the ability it has to do mischief to us. Should it prove to sink in the scale, their support would go with it. Indeed they would soon be astonished that any other issue could have been expected. . . .
