It's a moot point whether or not "modern standards" can be applied retrospectively. The danger is that if I "apologised" for BLL, I could be accused of "justifying" his repugnant views.                                                            

I had this problem with banished Irish patriot John Mitchel who ended up in the US, believed in slavery (which he had witnessed in Brazil) and supported the South in the Civil War. He was born in 1815. Two of his sons died as Johnny Rebs. Didn't George Washington own slaves?

I love BLL doing "Queen Jane". (Must acquire his bio and Dave Van Ronk's autobio - thanks for info).