"England is nothing but the last ward of the European madhouse, and quite possibly it will prove to be the ward for particularly violent cases"

In this quote, Leon Trotsky is utilizing a metaphor to explain England as the "last ward" of the European madhouse. This suggests that England is the last, the majority of disorderly and unstable part of Europe. He goes on to say that it might even be the ward for "especially violent cases," suggesting that England is home to the most extreme and hazardous people in Europe. This could be translated as a criticism of England's political and social climate, recommending that it is a location of chaos and instability. Trotsky's words likewise hint at the concept that England may be on the edge of collapse or damage, as a ward is typically a location for those who are unable to work in society. In general, this quote paints a bleak image of England and its function in Europe.