In any other case we must decide according to circumstances[431]." Thus Russell would not have Great Britain go to war with America without the sanction of Parliament, and was seeking reasons for delay.

He was reacting, in fact, to a more sobering second thought which was experienced also by nearly everyone, save the eager British "Southerner," in public and in newspaper circles.

The first explosion of the Press, on receipt of the news of the _Trent_, had been a terrific one.

The British lion, insulted in its chosen field of supremacy, the sea, had pawed the air in frenzy though at first preserving a certain slow dignity of motion.

Customary "strong leader-writing" became vigorous, indeed, in editorial treatment of America and in demand for the prompt release of the envoys with suitable apology.