William Rathbone : a memoir / by Eleanor F. Rathbone.

  • Eleanor Rathbone
Date:
1905
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: William Rathbone : a memoir / by Eleanor F. Rathbone. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    before the declaration of war with France. The war was enthusiastically welcomed by the great majority of Liverpool citizens, and as bitterly denounced by the small band of Reformers. They opposed it chiefly upon the ground of justice, that England had no business to force France to take back a form of government which she had rejected. The war, with all that had led to it, was a cruel disappointment of the hopes they had been cherishing — hopes of what the Revolution was going to do for France and for humanity, and hopes of a long period of peace, economic development, and social and political re¬ forms at home. As the struggle went on year after year, they believed that it must ruin the country. Later events showed them that they had under¬ estimated British resources, and at the same time completed the disillusionment of their faith in France. Liverpool, February 3, 1793. Esteemed Friend—I have been much longer than I intended in acknowledging the receipt of two accept¬ able letters from thee, but I have felt less inducement to write from the unhappy state of things which renders the present disgusting and the future almost hopeless. I hope and trust, however, that matters are more favour¬ able with you and in Ireland than in this kingdom, for I confess my politics are taking a turn which I once little expected ; and the scenes which are passing in England, as well indeed as some of those which have been acted