The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1880-08-07 00:00:00

MR. GLADSTONE'S ILLNESS.

The Times of Tuesday gives the following particulars re-
specting Mr. Gladstone's illness :
When yesterday morning the news of Mr. Gladstone's
serious illness was published, the greatest anxiety and
excitement prevailed throughout London, and Down-
ing-street was early visited by large numbers of holi-
day-makers. The calls during the night had been so
many that Dr. Andrew Clarke, who was in attendance
until half -past eight a.m.' ordered the traffic of vehicles
through Downing-street to be stopped. Policemen
were accordingly stationed at the corners of the
official precincts, and, irrespective of the position
of the owners, all carri?ges were compelled to draw
up in Parliament-streek It seems that during the
night the Prime Ministe; was disposed to sleep in the
intervals of feverish excitisment, and precautions were
taken in order to allow him to do so. Mr. Gladstone
did sleep for brief periods, his daughter and his two
sons remaining up in constant attendance upon him.
Although the febrile symptoms did not show any
sign of abatement, it was found necessary to call up
Dr. Clarke only twice during the night.

_
Some misapprehension seems to exist as to the origin
of the Premier's illness. The facts are, however, that
the medical adviser and the friends of Mr. Gladstone
had noticed for a week past that his assiduous atten-
tion to public business and constant attendance in
the House of Commons were visibly telling on his
strength, but all a,ttemp'cs to induce him to spare
himself failed. During the whole of Friday morn-
ing he was actively engaged in the transaction of
official business in Downing-street and in consul-
tation on Afghan affairs, and was so busily employed
that he did not permit himself time to take refresh-
ment during the day. During the afternoon sitting he
did not feel well. In the evening he attempted to
keep an engagement to dine with Lord Frederick
Cavendish, M. Y., Financial Secretary to the Treasury,
on his arrival in fulfilment of the appointment com-
plained of being ill. Dnring.' dinner he was compelled
to retire from the table, and soon afterwards felt en
seriously unwell that he went home.
Yesterday morning, when Dr. Clark left, it was
deemed advisable to make arrangements at once for a
visit from Sir William Jenner; vsho had been consulted
on the previous evening. In censegnenee of the rest
M which r. Gladstone had been able to obtain during
the night, Dr. Clark was enabled to state at eight
o'clock that he was rather better, but that the fever
still continued. The temperature of the patient was
not appreciably reduced; the pulse was Trick, and i.he
1 breathing was 'short and quick: The Queen telegraphed
again at nine a.m., expressing her anZiety to know
the exact state of the Prime Minister. In reply the
purport of Dr. Clark's last bulletin svas glyen.
Following the messege a call was made by
the Hon. Colonel Byng, Equerry to the QUeen, and
among the first callers at the house were the Duke cif
Argyll, the Marquis of Hartington Earl Spencer, the
Earl of Kimberley, the Earl of Kenmare, the Duke
and Duchess of Leinster' Colonel Carington, M.P.,
the Spealses. Sir Stafford Northcote, the Earl of
Derby; H. Smiths M.P., Sir Wilfrid Lawson,
MiCli*ei, ' 1\ f.P., ' Lord Monson, the
Marchioness of 'Ripen; Lord Wolverten Dean stanl4Y
Mr. Leveson Gower, M.P., the Lord Pr' ovost of Edin-
burgh, Lord Northbrook, Mr. Woolner, the Earl of Cork,
Mr. Holman Hunt, Canon Liddon, the Rev. Malcolm
Mac Coll, the Marquis of Huntly, Sir Charles Ducane,
sho Duke of Westminster, Sir H. D. Wolff, Mr.
Osb,orne Morgan, the Marquis of Lansdowne, Mr.
Albert Grey,lthe 'Earl of 'Aberdeen, the Dean of
St. Paul's, Mi.. and Mrs. Childers, Nfis 'Dodson, Sir
RObert and Lady Phillimore,' General Minebrek (the
Italian Ambassador), Lord Kensington, Prince Chris-
tian, Sit W. V. Ifarceurt, the Earl and Countess of
Breadalbane, Lord Emly, Mr. .4. M. Sullivan, EEO DR. TANNER'S FAST
Sydney, Lord Brabourne, Mr. Broadhurst,' M.P., Mr: .
!
Chitty, Odian Effendi (from the Turkish Embassy); The Standard of Tuesday gives the fcl.lowing
r, Beresford-Hope, Mr. Spencer Lyttleton, the
SeeretarrG of eneral the Armenian Patriarch, the partictslars :
Greek Envoy, Mr. S. Morley, M. Serieant Simon, NipiT Yoßx, Monday.
Mr. Palgraye, the Earl of Shaftesbury, and Dowager thpr, Tanner's careworn face and unnatural eyes ' etoken
Lady Lawrence. The Prince of Wales sent Mr. spirit
dsuffering he has undergone. Yet the old
. , t him.
Francio one of his secretaries, to make inquiries. Although he is feeble, his condition i remarkably
Mr. Gladstone receiyed so much relief from the rest favourable, and occasional fits of nervous energy carry
during the night that at 10.3 g he pent fess his !ipn, Mr, him throngh seemingly impos,sible feats, yet the exer-
Herbert Gladstone, M.P.; one of this private asase. tiou makes heavy shadows visible muter his cavernous
taries, and was engaged for some time in giving him eyes. 1 Iris skin 14 tightly drawn over his forehead,
and in his cheeks a slightly tremulous motion is
instructions as to official business. Sir Thomas
Gladstone and his daughter called, but were unable visible.seemp 01Hveirsloesnscetfiormly-serttlir are shrunken, awlishifsaeneecilcs
to sea their relative. Mrs. Gladstone, however, drawn into a series orfles°, oolisAvf;gingy at point of the
met them, and copveyo the latest intelligence as nose, and his nerveless hands are no longer white, but
to the state" Of her ini'sbincl. Lord Granville did almost purple.
flat. He
wilailsksrowninthdetdremshholutuldgelrismhms make his
ahsishuaiheugst
a
not call himself, but sent several times during the
morning inquiries as to the state of his chief. gaAich is Dr. Tanner at the bee-bluing of the thirty-sixth
Beyond thP interview with his son, the prime day. ' -
Minister was undisturbed 1an.711 one o'clock, when the Early last evening lie had repeated attacka of nausea,
t a Williamtio n Jenner
medical report was "that I r. Gl4dstene 14 &Nut whicleassened him elccosaivelY, At length he asked for a
mnstar plaster, and this, when applied to his stomach
erfoe
isiotemsee relief, and fell. asleep about mid-
night.the same, though restless at times." Shortly after
tteevta,g.aaurnaectiutigkwe aatlclheurss,.
tsailvris,al.,ine epo,appatn,yawndithafDterr.wCalradrsk,aSciornsul
lasting who resolved to Y prepare for
quite an hour was held. 41; Is co4plusion Dr. Jenner table precautions. P
again saw Mr. Gladstone, an the fellowing bulletin The medical force includes twenty Physicians, regular and
was issued, signed by Sir William Jenner and Dr. eclectic.
Clarke :—" Mr. Gladstone is doing as well as could be li'nw Yong, Monday Afternoon,
expeeted, but the fever continues." It was stated Sickness came on again before daylight. Hot water was
that in iriecheetl pirclfs the continued intensity of the taken, which relieved Dr. Tanner temporarily, After sleep-
fever from whiph tifp right 1109. gentleman it; suffering ing for two hours he was attacked with violent nausea. He
was regarded with some anxiety. 'Sp great Was the toqk two hours, drive_, and' confieisseed. up.onahiws return that
excitsment caused throughout the country by the (gtiomns.s ivi)eurlgweaek his
nmialce
wbasinrezg An.a,
s,
sleepless,
news of the Prime iginister's illness that telegrams seemed much feebler. less, and-
rennsoeoo
drank some pNitled carbonated
from all parts of the Empire and the Continent con- water. His pulse was seventy-four. His temperature was
stantly arrived in Downing-street. ninety-nine, respiration fifteen. Only one physican is allowed
From some time after the publication of the last to make an examination,
bulletin Downing-street was crowded with' people
estimated, constant payee has greatly reduced the patient's already
calling at t'n.e Prime Minister's residence, anxiously shattered powers.
inquiring after his 4esg.th, Over 2,000 people, it 15
called persdnally, and about 1,090 cards The Standard of Wednesday published further par-
were left. Lord Rowten visited the Premier's resis ticularsi from its Own Correspondent :
denee fog the purpose of conveying a message from 1 NEW YORK, Tuesday.
the Earl of Beaeonshell, and prominent among the op- ' Dr. Tanner's condition has improved slightly. Yesterday
ponents of the present Ministry who ealled where Lord ' afternoon he was greatly refreshed by a draught of iced
John Manners, the Duke of Northumberland, Lord Croton water. He fell asleep and rested peacefully, until he
Elcho, Lord Claud Hamilton, Sir James M'Garel Hogg, was disturbed by the loud talking of the spectators.
arid Sir , Let:l:mere. Next came Mr. Lecky, the histo: Another draught of water was followed by slight nausea,
eian, Mr, Millais, the) French Ambassador (M Challemel bniatitisaerai.hol!ler later he drank two
vounces of water without
Lacour), the Persian Chargg cl'Alfairs, the Duke of which he orautkotwuarolueLeeisiinof
water.
for
l‘rii twoen he
hours,
returned
during
I,
Sutherland, Miss Alice de Rothschild the Earl of Dar, was weary and •exhausted, and would not be weighed, pro-
trey, Lord and Lady Hammond, the Earl of Morley, the bahly because the record tends to discourage him.
Marquis of Exeter, the Marquis of Bath, the Marquis His stomach seemed less disordered than it has for several
of Bristol, the Marquis of Tavistock, Sir A. Hayter, days past. He undressed himself easily, and seemed stronger.
Sir C. Dilke, Mr. Donald Currie, M.P., General Sir Towards midnight he had a slight attack of retchiag.
John Adye, Chevalier F. Liverhoff, the Right Hon. Pis fegs were drawn up and he seemed to be suffering
C, P. Vilriers Mr. Otway, M.P., Viscountess Grey de greatly. H had another violent attack ot vamiting towards
morning.
Wilton, Lord Justice James, the Earl of Gallo Nay, No symptoms f
Lord Sandhurst, tiellterlant,General Sir Dighton Tie thirstas inc'e-reaansyecifraenctpn of the brain have appeared.
Probyn, Lord SildeleY, Lord Wrottesley, Lord Darn- water he drinks produces nausea,is like aeyer consuming
a firettack of The
ley, the Bishop of London, and several members of weakens the patient, making the rechingymore painful, but
the House of Commons. A number of clergymen his intolerable thirst must be satisfied.
some of them contemporaries of Mr. Gladstone at As the doctor is unable to drink enough water, lie sponges
Oxford, also called, and Cardinal Manning, as an old his face and wraps wet towels round his head, hoping there-
by to absorb more moisture. The patient's will force is still
college friend, sent a special message of sympathy and unimpaired. The general opinion is that he will go through
inquiry, the week safely, provided he can reduce the allowance of
At the meeting of the House of Commons in the water,
evening the illness of Mr. Gladstone was the one
topic of conversation, and it being understood that
the Marquis of Hartington would make a state-
ment as to the condition of the Premier,
there was a large attendance. The state-
ment made by tha Marquis, who read the
latest official bulletin, was listened to in solemn
silence, and immediately afterwards the greatest
anxiety was manifested by members to obtain per-
sonally from members of the Government same
reassusing intelligence. Mr. Herbert Gladstone
was questioned by 0, npmber of members as to the
character of his father's illness, smi was able to say
that the Prime Minister was believed to be improv-
ins-, the remedial measures adopted having so far
checked any appreciable increase of the fever. It
appears from the statements made by members
who saw Mr, Gladstone on Friday that signs of
illness were apparent during the discussion of
the Hares and Rabbits Bill. He was observed to
be unusually pale, and apparently suffering from ex-
haustion. Indeed, lie is understood to have confessed
as much to some of his friends at the time. The
Speaker suggested that he should leave London in
order to spend Saturday and Sunday quietly in the
country, but Mr. Gladstone replied that it was im-
possible to neglect necessary and pressing work.

And riqb it the Prime Minister's day one long, wear-
ing alternation of conflicting claims upon his time and
thought; unlike any other statesman in the world hp is
denied "the medful hours of rest" by the exigencies of Ilia
parliamentary position. The labours of the -day are suc-
ceeded by the yet more trying labours if the night. At any
moment, 4, ealleanpon to, Intervene in some heated
disciisifina,4o rescue n colleague in distress, to disentangle
some unforeseen complication of debate. Vie question i 4
forced upon us Whether any hum 9 3qtteris can be equal to
the task which is set to p English Prime Minister and
leader of the liunse ctooinglions. Will he not always have
to ehoose between a certain neglect of public business and
physical collapse ? The work of the most overtaxed proles-
tuonal man, the first-rate barrister or physleit,n, ls play com-
pared to the labour and anxiety vrivi4 4.4 goyerument of
such an Empire as ours e;it4is'iwOn a men whn conceives
government ai. qiadstons eonceites it,

The Berlin Correspondent of the batty News writing on
Monday, says :—" The illness of Mr. Gladstone is the subject
of general comment in the Press. It assumes the character
of a political event of the highest importance. People feel
that the great statesman holds in his hands all the
threads of Great Britain's policy in the East—An fact, that
that policy is entirely his own, l'ht at such a moment
as the present Ur. Gladstone should be compelled to remain
Inactive on a sick bed; is no doubt a serious incident, but
there is no expectation here that the policy of the Govern-
ment will be in any way affected thereby. The National
Zeitung thinks that with his strong constitution and ener-
getic temperament Mr. Gladstone will soon be himself
again."

The Paris papers express regret at M. Cfladstone's illness,
and trust that the veteran statesman may soon be restored
to health. The Temps remarks that the emotion produced
by the news of the Premier's illness will easily be under-
stood, as he alone is able to maintain a certain cohesion and
unity of views in the ranks of the lAberal party.

4pecial telegram sent from Rome to the Pall Mall
Gazette Says that Mr. Gladstone's illness has produced
scarcely less sensation here than Count Cavour's last illness.
The press is unanimous in its expressions of sympathy and
in apprehensions for the future.

Tuesday Afternoon.

Dr. Tanner declares that at sunrise he felt positively
better. lie had slept for several hours with wet towels
about his head. He took a two hours' drive, but without
feeling refreshed. He spent the forenoon in the lower hall,
constantly wetting his face with sponges. Visitors were ex-
cluded till the afternoon.
Ins pulse Was seventy-four ; temperature, ninety-eight and
four-fifths, and respiration fourteen. His weight is one
hundred and twenty-five pounds and a half, a loss of one
pound since Saturday, and a total loss of thirty-two pounds
in thirty-six days.

Though Dr. Tanner has suffered intensely from nausea
during the last four days, his loss of weight is comparatively
small. His condition is so feeble that it has been decided to
abandon the drives, the fatigue being too great. His unusual
wakefulness to-day was attributed by one physician to a
touch of gastric fever,

August 4.

At one o'clock this morning, Dr. Tanner was sleeping
soundly, being well wrapped up in blankets on account of
the chilliness of the atmosphere produced by the storm.
Your doctors are watching him.
August 4, Later.

Dr. Tanner has not suffered from nausea since midnight,
and his stomach appears to be in a better condition. lie
took his usuql drive yesterday morning, but as it did him no
good he has decided to abandon drives until his fast ends on
Saturday next at noon. lie now drinks less water.

From many parts of the country on Monday night
(says The Times) we received telegrams to the effect
that the intelligence of Mr. Gladstone's illness had
been received with general regret, and had formed the
chief topic of conversation in all public placer!.

The New York 'Jerald of the 21st ult. describ ,s Dr. Tanner
on his twenty-third day : Comparatively lew people
visited the hall during the earlier part of the day but those
who did were well entertained by the doctors jokes and
Puns. Most of the time from ten to nearly twe ye he spent
in answering his correspondence. Only four out of the
great pile of letters on his table were considered worthy of
a reply. These were quite long, however, and when he had
finished writing he seemed tired, and dozed on his cot till
the noon whistles sounded, when he suddenly sprang up, and
taking out his watch, said, Hurrah, gentlemen, the twenty-
third day commences 1 ' This fact seemed to brighten him
up, and fie eagerly joined in the conversation of the attend-
ant physicians as to the amount of food a man should eat in
a day.
"'I tell you,' said he, there is more suffering to-day from
superabundance of food than from the want of it. Three
meals a day is sheer nonsense. I am not a fanatic on this
point, but I know we all eat too much. We keep the entire
machinery of our organisation at work night and day digest-
ing the enormous loads we pile into our stomachs, leaving
our moral and intellectual being to starve. This pandering
to the appetite has changed us from a rai e of giants to mere
pigmies. One of sedentary habits sheuld' not eat animal
food. He does not need it, and it dulls his faculties. I
have nothing to live for, except to do good, and if I can get
the people to think on this subject I will accomplish more
than he who builds a hospital. Let every one make a law
unto himself inregard to his eating, and stick to it. He will
be surprised, if he is faithful, at the mighty power will has
over habit and appetite.

The latest bulletin issued on Tuesday night showed
that the improvement in the Premier's condition
which had taken place in the forenoon had continued
throughout the day. Dr. Andrew Clark, who left
his patient at eight Tuesday morning, after remain-
ing all night at IN o. 10, Downing-street, wrote :

"August 3, 8 a.m.
"Mr. Gladstone has passed a fair night, and there is
to-day no increase either of the local malady or of the
fever. " ANIMUNT CLARK."

The next visit was paid at half-past two, and the
doctor's report was :

" Kr. Gladstone has passed a comfortable forenoon. The
temperature is rather lower, and the general symptoms
continue, en the whole, favourable.
"ANDREW CLARK."

About eleven o'clock Dr. Clark returned, and at
half-past eleven the last bulletin for the night was
issued :

"Mr. Gladstone has passed a quiet day; the fever is less,
and the general condition satisfactory.
"ANDREW CLARE."

"When the doctor finished his discourse he turned to the
crowd which had assembled in the hall below, and invited
them to come up stairs and see him, saying, 'l'm not going
down there to breathe that nasty air.' Among those who
accepted the invitation were members of the Toronto
Laerdsse Club, doctors from Holland, San Francisco, and
other remote parts of the world, autograph seekers, and
ladies with large bouquets.

So great was the improvement in Mr. Glaidstone's
condition on Tuesday morning, that between ten and
eleven o'clock he dictated a letter to his chief private
secretary, Mr. J. A. Godley. In a general way he
was informed of what was going on, and seemed
deeply touched on hearing how great was the public
solicitude on his behalf. His intellect remains as clear
as ever.

"Among the physicians who called during the afternoon
was Dr. W. P. Strickland, professor of medical jurisprudence
in the Electic Medical College. In greeting Dr. Tanner,
with whom he has had a previous acquaintance, the pro-
fessor said, It is really extraordinary the good colour you
maintain. Why, you look as well now as when I saw you
twenty days since, The doctor having asked the professor
if he really thought so, and ro,:eiving a positively affirma-
tive reply, said, 'Well, that's encouraging, any way.' To a
question as to whether he felt much depression, Dr. Tanner
said he did not, adding that while he did not feel in fighting
trim, still he felt pretty well considering the circumstances.
"At a quarter to six p.m. the doctor was lying in his cot
in the gallery, reading his evening's correspondence,
watched by Drs. Pierce and Dewey, eclectics, and Dr.
Maurice Miller, of the regular school. At six o'clock he
drank four ounces of water, and shortly after started on
his evening's drive. There was a large, crowd on the
side walk to see him start, and a goodly number were
outside the hall to welcome him on his return. The
doctor was very much oppressed by the closeness of the
atmosphere, and said the drive did him no good. On his
return to the Ball he sat down in the main hall,
where he was watched by some forty or fifty visitors.
At eight o'clock he was weighed, and it was found that
he had lost half a pound since Monday evening, his weight
last night being 3.34 pounds. Two small bouquets presented
by Dr. Maria Gushing seemed to Cheer him up a little, but
during the evening he was nt4 at all in good spirits, for
which the weather was in a great measure answerable. At a.
quarter past eight he was examined by Dr. Tuttle and Eller-
sou, who had come on in the p.lace of Drs. Pierce and Dewey,
Dr. fioeber relieving Dr. Manatee Miller. At twenty minutes
past eight he retired to his ant in the gallery much ex-
hausted, and was soon sleeping heavily."

By command of the Queen, the bulletins issued
from time to time were forwarded to Osborne, and
the anxiety felt by her Majesty was shown by her
causing a telegram to be sent about ten o'clock on
Tuesday night for further information with regard to
the state of the Premier's health. The King of the
Belgians also sent a telegram expressing sympathy,
and asking for the latest intelligence with regard to
Mr. Gladstone's condition Although the character
of the bulletins issued on Tuesday morning was such
as to allay to some extent the fears which had been
felt, persons of all classes continued t 9 manifest toe
warmest interest in his progress, as it is now hoped,
towards recovery. The Duke of Cambridge sent early
in the morning, and called himself later in the day.
Besides members of Mr. Gladstone's family, most
of the members of the Government either called per-
sonally or sent to make inquiries. Among the names
in the Visitors' Book were those of Prince and Princess
Christian, the Duke of Buccleuch, the Archbishop of
Canterbury, the Bishop of Peterborough, Lord
Sudeley, Lord Norton Lord Brabourne, the Mar-
chioness of Ripon, Dr: Playfair, General Menabrea,
Viscount Povrerscourt, and the Siamese Ambassador.
Dr. Clark again remained with Mr. Gladstone
during Tuesday night. Shortly after two a.m., Lord
Wolverton called at the Prime Minister's residence,
escorting Miss Gladstone, who was present at the
close of the debate in the Lords, for the purpose of in-
forming her father of the result.

Cardinal Manning,7;who has been suffering from a
rather severe attack of influenza since his return from Rome
a few weeks ago, has arrived at Archbishop's House, West-
minster, from Brighton, much benefited by his tojourn there.
He will pay a visit so Scotland during the present month, re-
for a short time at St. Benedict's College, InVerliess,
akin,

In an article on Mr. Gladstone' illness, the Pall
Afatl Gazette reread's:—

ilbwever unwelcome the occasion, it is pleasant to be re•

EU