| Description | Written from Rochdale [Lancashire]. He thanks Sturge for his 'kind letter' and 'invitation', but he has made prior arrangements to stay with 'Mr [Joseph] Chamberlain' during his visit to Birmingham, and so is 'already provided for'. He goes on to discuss current affairs, most especially the Russio-Turkish war [1877-78]. He is of the opinion that the present Tory Government [under the leadership of Benjamin Disraeli] will not 'go into the war' as 'the country is against it and it would ruin them and their party for along time'. Nor does he consider peace between Russia and Turkey probable, as 'Russia must ask more than Turkey will give', and 'England is not in a position to have any great influence with either of the combatants'. Indeed, as a nation it is now 'isolated' having 'irritated both parties'. He closes by abandoning such foretelling', as 'it rarely turns out to the credit of the prophet' |