The refugee population in London provides a snapshot of life in exile during the French Revolution. London had the largest community of emigres. It had the most evolved social structure and was the most active political lobby. Britain, the only European country to provide the emigres with financial assistance, was unique as a host nation because the British had nothing political to gain from offering their support.Yet, despite the contradictions and ironies of the Protestant British helping the Catholic French, this interlude, a short one, touched the very hearts of the two nations. Refugees of the French Revolution questions accepted interpretations of Emigration and puts a human face on the hardship produced by revolutionary legislation which required only a simple identification check to condemn an emigre caught on French soil to death.'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times . . .'