Two weeks later appeared a long review of Spence's _American Union_, a work very influential in confirming British pro-Southern belief in the constitutional right of the South to secede and in the certainty of Southern victory.

Spence was "likely to succeed with English readers, because all his views are taken from a thoroughly English standpoint[344]." The week following compliments are showered upon the "young professor" Montague Bernard for his "Two Lectures on the Present American War," in which he distinguished between recognition of belligerency and recognition of sovereignty, asserting that the former was inevitable and logical.

The _Saturday Review_, without direct quotation, treated Bernard as an advocate also of the early recognition of Southern independence on the ground that it was _a fait accompli_, and expressed approval[345].
These few citations, taken with intent from the more sober and reputable journals, summarize the prevailing attitude on one side or the other throughout the months from June to December, 1861.

All publications had much to say of the American struggle and varied in tone from dignified criticism to extreme vituperation, this last usually being the resort of lesser journals, whose leader writers had no skill in "vigorous" writing in a seemingly restrained manner.

"Vigorous" leader writing was a characteristic of the British press of the day, and when combined with a supercilious British tone of advice, as from a superior nation, gave great offence to Americans, whether North or South.