344-45.] [Footnote 79: See _ante_, p.

40.] [Footnote 80: _Economist_, March 2, 1861.] [Footnote 81: _Spectator_, March 16, 1861.] [Footnote 82: Lyons Papers.] [Footnote 83: Hansard, 3rd.Ser., CLXI, p.814.February 22, 1861.
William E.Forster was of Quaker descent and had early taken part in public meetings called to express humanitarian sentiment.

From 1850 on he was an acceptable public speaker in all matters liberal, as free trade, social reform, and anti-slavery.

Elected to Parliament in 1859 and again in 1861 from Bradford, where he was engaged in business as a woollen manufacturer, he sought, after the fashion of new Members, a cause to represent and found it in championship of the North.

Having great native ability, as shown by his later distinguished career, it was the good fortune of the United States thus to enlist so eager a champion.