By “the North” was meant the manufacturing districts and an explanation was made of the difficulty of similar efforts in London because it was really a “congeries of cities,” with no such solidarity of interests as characterized “the North[1133].”  Without London, however, the movement lacked driving force and it was determined to create there an association which should become the main-spring of further activities.  Spence, Beresford Hope, and Lord Eustace Cecil were made a committee to draft a plan and preliminary address.  Funds were now forthcoming from the big blockade-running firms

“Some time ago I saw friend Collie, who had made a terrific sum of money, and told him he must come out for the cause in proportion thereto.  To this he responded like a brick, I was near saying, but I mean Briton—­by offering at once to devote a percentage of cotton out of each steamer that runs the blockade, to the good of the cause.  He has given me at once L500 on account of this—­which I got to-day in a cheque and have sent on to Lord Eustace Cecil, our treasurer.  Thus, you see, we are fairly afloat there[1134].”

Yet Spence was fighting against fear that all this agitation was too late: 

“Nevertheless it is not to be disguised that the evil tidings make uphill work of it—­very.  Public opinion has quite veered round to the belief that the South will be exhausted.  The Times correspondent’s letters do great harm—­more especially Gallenga’s—­who replaced Chas. Mackay at New York.  I have, however, taken a berth for Mackay by Saturday’s boat, so he will soon be out again and he is dead for our side[1135].”

Again Spence asserted the one great hope to be in European intervention: 

“I am now clear in my own mind that unless we get Europe to move—­or some improbable convulsion occur in the North—­the end will be a sad one.  It seems to me therefore, impossible that too strenuous an effort can be made to move our Government and I cannot understand the Southerners who say:  ‘Oh, what can you make of it?’ I have known a man brought back to life two hours after he seemed stone-dead—­the efforts at first seemed hopeless, but in case of life or death what effort should be spared[1136]?”

The Manchester Southern Club was the most active of those organized by Spence and was the centre for operations in the manufacturing districts.  On December 15, a great gathering (as described by The Index) took place there with delegates from many of the near-by towns[1137].  Forster referred to this and other meetings as “spasmodic and convulsive efforts being made by Southern Clubs to cause England to interfere in American affairs[1138],” but the enthusiasm at Manchester was unquestioned and plans were on foot to bombard with petitions the Queen, Palmerston, Russell