The quotations thus far made exhibit for the leading papers an initial confusion and ignorance difficult to harmonize with the theory of an “enlightened press.”  The Reviews, by the conditions of publication, came into action more slowly and during 1860 there appeared but one article, in the Edinburgh Review, giving any adequate idea of what was really taking place in America[48].  The lesser British papers generally followed the tone of the leading journals, but without either great interest or much acumen.  In truth the depth of British newspaper ignorance, considering their positiveness of utterance, appears utterly astonishing if regarded from the view-point of modern historical knowledge.  But is this, after all, a matter for surprise?  Was there not equal confusion at least, possibly equal ignorance, in America itself, certainly among the press and people of the Northern States?  They also had come by experience to discount Southern threats, and were slow to understand that the great conflict of ideals and interests was at last begun.

The British press both influenced and reflected educated class opinion, and, in some degree, official opinion as well.  Lord John Russell at the Foreign Office and Lord Lyons, British Minister at Washington, were exchanging anxious letters, and the latter was sending home reports remarkable for their clear analysis of the American controversy.  Yet even he was slow to appreciate the inevitability of secession.

[Illustration:  LORD LYONS (From a photograph taken at Boston, U.S.A., in 1860) (From Lord Newton’s “Life of Lord Lyons,” by kind permission)]

Other officials, especially those in minor positions in the United States, showed a lack of grasp of the situation similar to that of the press.  An amusing illustration of this, furnishing a far-fetched view of causes, is supplied in a letter of February 2, 1860, from Consul Bunch, at Charleston, S.C., to Lord Lyons, the British Minister at Washington[49].  Bunch wrote describing a dinner which had been given the evening before, by the Jockey Club of Charleston.  Being called upon for a speech, he had alluded to the prizes of the Turf at home, and had referred especially to the Plates run for the various British colonies.  Continuing, he said: 

“’...  I cannot help calling your attention to the great loss you yourselves have suffered by ceasing to be a Colonial Dependency of Great Britain, as I am sure that if you had continued to be so, the Queen would have had great pleasure in sending you some Plates too.’

“Of course this was meant for the broadest sort of joke, calculated to raise a laugh after dinner, but to my amazement, the company chose to take me literally, and applauded for about ten minutes—­in fact I could not go on for some time.”

Bunch evidently hardly knew what to make of this demonstration.  He could with difficulty believe that South Carolina wished to be re-annexed as a colony of Great Britain, and comments upon the episode in a somewhat humorous vein.  Nevertheless in concluding his letter, he solemnly assures Lord Lyons that