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.] [Footnote 1239: Nov.

26, 1864.] [Footnote 1240: Nov.

22, 1864.] [Footnote 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.