The Education of Henry Adams Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter 9 Foes and Friends (1862) Summary

Chapter 9 Foes and Friends (1862) Summary

Henry Adams suspects that the British want war after they allow two Confederate ships to escape their harbour, which constitutes a violation of neutrality. After the second Battle of Bull Run, he decides to join the Army. Though his parents are not surprised, they, and his brother Brooks, weigh in against it, which changes his mind. His father suggests that it is too late to do any good, as the war will be over soon - it would be better to stay and assist him here, diplomatically, than to leave and arrive too late to do any good in the States.

English opinion is strongly against the Union. Lincoln is demonised in the press, as is Seward. Adams' old hero, Carlyle, is exposed as a rabid fool when he makes outlandish statements in support of the South, and as a result, Adams begins to doubt his idols. Lord Palmerston, the...
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