The Sun.
London, England, 1859-06-22 00:00:00

THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE.

Mr. Gladstone has set at nought several rules of
common sense,—first, in writing his own defence
to the electors of Oxford, which we published yes-
terday ; then, in wishing to be defended at all.
He would much more wisely take that high ground
which is above all defence and all accusation. The
critic who makes Homer's heroes respectable country
gentlemen, and his frail heroine a model of Chris-
tian penitence, should not himself stand upon trifles
or expect universal appreciation. No, Mr. Glad-
stone is the orator, philosopher, and prophet of
Oxford, with all the virtues and all the failings
of the mercurial race. Nobody
.expects an oracle
to be consistent, else we should simply collect and
analyze all its former responses, and then shut up
the shrine, sell the tripod for old brass, and put the
priestess on a pension. What he represents are not
measures or men, nor yet principles, in that form
in which they are stated at a Conservative meeting,
but sentiments ; and a man must be not only very
ungracious, but also very stupid, to deny Mr. Glad-
stone a large share of that sentimental philosophy
which constitutes in this day the best aspect of
Conservatism, and the only relic of Toryism. Nature
made him for the expression of a sentiment. , In
early life he was an honest and enthusiastic ex-
ponent of liberty and progress, against Iron Dukes
and wooden divines. The Reform Bill pulled him
up. He wept for Gatton and sighed for Old Sarum.
With pious toil worthy of Old Mortality, he scraped
out of the moss and lichen the sacred names that
had represented a hundred rotten boroughs. Then'
he developed the principle of Church and State, till
first his readers, and at last he himself, discovered.
that he had left neither Church nor State, but
something between, which, under existing circum-
stances, it was impossible to work. Happily Sir
Robert Peel, though he could not read his book, WC
the nature of the man, found work for his intellect,
and a place for his affections. As Peel's chief lieu-
tenant, Gladstone became really a great man; and
when Peel's work was done, his career ended, and his
opponents placed in power by the help of his
enemies, Gladstone and some. half ' dozen •others
. were in.the right, and all England- in the/wrong.
But this was a post of honour too high for mortal
man., It' is not good to be so much in the right,
and to have so excellent a case against all mankilA •
The apostle who had heard unutterable things o,n
a thorn in the flesh to kill self-conceit, and the
Peelites would have been the better for some such
visitation. Perhaps they have had it, but, on the
whole, they have remained too much like those of
whom it is written on their gravestones that " the
world was not worthy of them." Overmuch virtue
is a sore trial of temper. At last, from mere indl*
nation and disdain, wantonly and suicidally, Glad-
stone became—we blush -as we write it—incon-
sistent. He did wrong, as the witty King Sala
when his brother chose his ill-favoured mistress. for
self-mortification. Sentiment carried him here and
there, till it was evident that Gladstone's rule, were
it right or wrong, was not the rule of the world, or
of any known class in the world.
We shall not undertake to harmonise a career
which will prove a fruitful and not unworthy
subject for the historian and biographer. An
excess of sentiment, however, will account for
good deal of its apparent inconsistencies. Senti-
mental people are at once too ciuiek and too slow.
They act on the present impulse, and •do
not give themselves time to consider how farom
it
should yield to reason and circumstances. Frl
Mr. Gladstone's share in Sir Robert Peel's nob e
work he derived a certain dream of industry,
abundance, peace, happiness, and all that people
used to expect from free trade. So he could not
persuade himself that it was necessary two great
nations should spend a hundred millions aieche,
and a proportionate quantity of human life, fol- J.;
sole purpose of compelling a third to moderate its
pretensions. The thing was horrid, wasteful, re-
trogressive, unchristian, and an indulgence of every
kind of bad feeling. This sentiment, laudable
enough in a lady or a country clergyman, made Mr.
Gladstone quarrel with the best statesmen of the
day, and play into the hands of the men who had
driven Sir R. Peel from power. His personal
regard for his old master, and a little more of that
personal hatred which, say what peole will, is
p
necessary to human affairs, would have kept him
much straighter. As it was, the sentiment of a
free-trade millennium brought him round to'the
o
enemies of free-trade. By and bye the;
alme
opportunity of overthrowing rd rston,
seized the
opportunity
when, as it happened, his course was that of peace,
and his fault that he was trying to coax and soothe
an angry and terrified man. Had Mr. Gladstone
given these new circumstances the consideration
they deserved, he would have given his voice• for
peace ; but he simply acted' on the inipulse then pos-
sessing his breast, which was against Lord Painter-
ston, the humbler of Russia. Having done the
deed—for it was he who did it—he then, as he tells
the world in his published letter, felt it his duty to
give the Tory Government every chance. He sup-
ported their Indian Bill, defended the most damning
omission of their Reform:Bill, and made an elaborate
argument in favour of nomination boroughs, which
were not then in question, though they were when
Mr. Gladstone made his first speeches on the sub-
ject at the Oxford Union in 1831. In fact, it was
the anacrhonism of theman who, having preached a
good sermon to a convict on the eve of his execu-
tion, reproduced it in its turn to 'his own
parishioners, who were not in that unhappy pre.
dicament.
DeMr
br
y. GRlaedfosrtmoneß
10l
ansaaysextheaeetdhinegdliyd
dnisotaplikpreeytheed
the Derby dissolution. It might have beemexpected,
then, that he would join in the vote which dis-
missed Lord Derby from power. No such thing.
He still moved 'sluggishly by the old impulse, as if
unable to receive a new direction, whatever the
fresh circumstances. The result showed that
somewhere and at some time he must have done
wrong, and that there was something to be re-
pented of. When a new Government had to be
formed, and Mr. Gladstone was compelled to give
comprehensive survey of public affairs, he foundmr
good reason why he should not join the Ministry of
the man he had done all he could to turn out
last year against the men whom he had helped
to bring in, and whom he had supported to the
very last. e pass over several minor incenals-
tencies and absurdities, only excusable on the
_ _
ground of sentiment, but we do not forget thatpatwo
years ago Mr. Gladstone helped to do able
mischief by compelling a most imprudent and un-
fortunate reduction of the estimates, against the
protest of the Minister. Mr. Gladstone himself
to the rawest
:eOt
takes no notice of his visit to the lonian Isles. It
whaekyeiseludped,
wa was
more.a pleasantFora
delightful r dream.
sense of power and fostered a world of fond expee-
m hHouer
tations. The sentiment doubtless survives, but the
fact is forgotten.
The obvious inference is that Mr. Gladstone
should have his place as a high and generous in-
fluence, but under the direction of more practical
and political minds. Nobody so .good to represent
.a University, which should haveits weight in every
discussion, yet never take the lead. No- country
could long survive 'a Government by scholars and,
divines. It has been tried once in this country, an
we know how it ended. The philosophers of Part'
hardly made a worse failure.- Mr. Gladatous is
justly appreciated by his University. Its junot
members read his speeches with delight, and are
re-assured that neither eloquence nor conscience
has gone from the land when they hear of the.
House of Commons being swayed round by that
torrent of persuasion. Lord Chandos is put 11P
against him, but it is useless to compare Mr.
Gladstone with any one competitor ; it is the entire
House of Commons that he should be measured
against. Achilles against an army—lesser colt-
parisons are ridiculous. Lord Chandos may be I
able and excellent man, but he has not more title
to stand for the University when Mr. Gladstone is
in possession, than " Haydn's Dates" to
takeilltaiCl-
place of " Thucydides" in the schools. Mr.
the
stone represents the feeling, the philosotapha
language of the University. The a,spirannd
gather
Union learn to wield his thendem
foaundest wis-
themselves for his periods. The p
mhivard ; it is
dom is lost on youthful wits. It use _
f it to mere
silent ; it is dull. -What is the
,with much to learn
youths, all sense and sympathy
be somewhat
and little to do? Mr. Gladstone may.. .
said a foolish thing and
like the King who never . the
think and do, and there is
to say and hear than
ualified to represent
not a man in the kingdom so q
never did a wise one, but universities have rather
Oxford as Mr. Gladstone.—Times.

THE CROPS GLOUCESTERSHIRE.—Since our
last report, says the Bristol Times, the weather has been
everything that could be desired to promote the growth of
all sorts of crops. The country now presents a picture of
luxuriant vegetation, and should we be blessed with a con-
tinuance of such favourable weather the crops in this county
will continue to present a most promising appearance.
Mr. Robert Kettle, of Glasgow, having left some
tracts at the house of a friend, he found them, on calling
few days after, serving the purpose of paper curls to one of
the young ladies. " well, said he, " I see ye made uso
o' the tracts, only ye hae put them on the wrang
side o'
your head, lassie."
LARGE ROBBERY OF WATCHES.—At the Liver-
pool Police-court, yesterday, a y oung man of respectable
appearance, named James Stein, was brought up charged
with stealing 16 gold and 12 silver Geneva watches, which
were found at his lodgings the same day.
It appeared
that the prisoner had shown the watches to the pp
ed
housekeeper where where he lodged, and suspicion being excit
the police were informed of the fact. When visited by two
detectives he denied, in the first instance, having any
watches in his possession. A search was then made, and
the above number were found among his luggage. He
then stated that he had obtained them from a commercial
traveller at Manchester. A remand was granted to allow
farther hicsiries Wag altidy.

p

, x

Ir

RONEY MARKET AND CITY NEWS.

CITY, Two o'CLoct

any kind, and the dealers , have in sOme
• measure .recovered from the apprehensive feeling
engendered by the alleged intrigues of France and
Buss* and the contingency of Germany taking an
immediate part in the war. The reaction in prices
since Monday has' beefil per, cent., and' 'the
tendency appears to be no longer downwards.
Consols opened this morning at 921- lA. im-
proved to 92: ; and are now 929 4. • The
business transacted has been at 921 to 94.
Bank Stock remains steady at 219 to 220; 'the
New Threes and the Reduced Annuities are firm at
93f ; Exchequ& Bills at 245. to 265. 'prem. ;
India Loan Debentures at 949 2, and ditto Bonds
at ss. discount.

Business in the Foreign Stock Market is mode-
rately active, and in most instances show a slight
2_

improvement. Turkish 6 per Cents, are 73 to 74,
ditto New, 59 to 61; and the 4 per Cents. have
advanced to 103 ; Sardinian to 811; Mexican to
181 i and Brazilian 5 per Cents. to 101; Buenos
Ayres Deferred is flat, at 171; and Grenada ditto,
at 41.
In the Railway Share Market the dealings have
been rather limited; in some instances, however, a si
alight improvement is apparent. Caledonians, Si
Eastern Counties, North British, Stockton and st
Darlington;st
and North Eastern (Berwick) im-
St
proved 55., and North Western and South Eastern, S
10s. ; Great Western declined 10s. St
The Foreign and Colonial lines have been very g;
quiet„and—there is little alteration to record in St
PMT. Dutch-Rhenish, Lombardo-Venetian, East at
Indian, aril Ctreat Western of Canada were dealt ig
in at previous rates. st
Joint-Stock-Bank shares are at quite nominal st
st,
values; and in the Miscellaneous share market no
:material alteration.tas taken place in prices.

Inman FUNDS THIS DAY AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Eank Stock
3 per Cent. Reduced Annuities 931 1
3 per Cent. Consols Annuities
New 3 per Cent. Annuities
India Stock
Ditto Delientures
Ditto Bonds, £l,OOO
Ditto under £l,OOO
Consols for Account (July 8)
Vxchequer Bills, £l,OOO, lid
24 24 6 6 p
Ditto SAO
Ditto Small, 1Id.
PRICES OF FOREIGN FUNDS AT ONE O'CLOCK.
Brazilian 5 per Cent.
Buenos Ares, 6 per Cent.
Ditto Deferred
Grenada New Active, 31 per Cent. —
Ditto Deferred
Mexican 3 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Sardinian, 5 per Cent
Ditto Account
Turkish 6 per Cent —
Ditto Account
Ditto New Loan
Ditto Aocoimt

Ditto Guaranteed, 4 per Cent.
Ditto Account
Dividends on the above payable in London.
TWO O'CLOCK.
Consols for Account, July 8 .... 92t x d

THIS DAYS MARKETS.

CORN EXCHANGE•

To-day's market was very scantily supplied with all
kinds of English wheat. Compared with last week, there
was a better feeling in the demand, and Monday's prices
Were well supported. The quantity now in millers' hand is
very limited.
Foreign wheat—the show of which was extensive—met
n -slow inquiry. Holders, however, were firm in their
demands, and the quotations were supported.
The few samples of barley on offer were taken at late
rates.
The malt trade was heavy, but no change took place in
the quotations.
There was a moderate inquiry for oats, at previous cur-
rencies. •
Ifreans bud peas ruled about stationary.
la flour, a moderate business was doing, and the top
Wee of tewn-made was 46s per 280 lbs.
ARRIVALS THIS WEEK
Wheat. Barley. Malt. Oats. Flour.
Zuglißli B3O 2,410 1
000 20 1 620
Irish
.--
Foreign 6,790 2,610) 8,130 1,740 ski
bit

Small quantities of gold are still received at the
Bank of England. About £25,000 was taken iu
yesterday, and as the imports of specie continue on
an extensive scale, a further accumulation is not
improbable. Besides the arrivals from Russia and
America, large consignments are now coming
forward from Australia. The Suffolk has been
reported this morning with 47,934 ounces, or
£191,736.

There is still a moderate demand for discount in
the general market, but the rates charged for ac-
commodation denote continued ease and abundance.
Beyond the immediate requirements of the com-
mercial community, the absorption is very limited,
owing to the absence of speculative enterprise.
The periodical payments on account of the Indian
and Austrian loans create no apparent effect, and
for railway purposes the demand is comparatively
limited. The Money Market at present, therefore,
exhibits no symptoms of a permanent alteration.
The foreign exchanges yesterday afternoon pre-
sented no alteration of importance.
About £25,000 in Russian gold was taken into
the Bank of England yesterday, and a sum of
£300,000, principally American gold, was taken for
exportation to the continent.
The bar silver brought by the last West India
packet has been sold at 62d. per oz., showing a
decline of -td. from the price realised by the pre
vious steamer ; and the Mexican dollars have been
disposed of at 60s. Id., which is a reduction of -id. -
At a meeting convened for the purpose, the
creditors of Messrs. Calvert and Co., the brewers,
will be requested to decide upon the proposal that
has been submitted to form a joint-stock 'association
for continuing the business of the firm, which is
represented to be of a highly lucrative character.
No doubt this plan will obviate the losses which
would' accrue from any other disposal of the pro.
perty. As it involves many points of the utmost
importance to all concerned, ample time has been
given for its due consideration.
In the Liverpool Cotton Market yesterday busi-
ness continued rather inactive, at previous rates.
The sales only amounted to 5,000 bales. The
Railway Share Market closed quietly, and prices
tended downwards.
The operations effected to-day in, the English
Funded Securities are not extensive or .heavy in
amount, and the tone of the market is generally
firmer. The Continental advices, as for the last
few days with regard to the movements of the war
in Italy, are not important, or such Its to exercise
an immediate or direct influence on Stooki of

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