The Sun.
London, England, 1868-11-24 00:00:00

THE FATHER OF MR. GLADSTONE.

Stories are "going the round of the press" about the
father of Mr. Gladstone, and concerning the right hon.
gentleman himself. One of these, taken from a new
" Life of Gladstone," is to the effect that when the father
was just of age he was sent to Liverpool to sell a cargo of
grain which had arrived at that port. He so attracted
the attention of a leading corn merchant there, that the
latter earnestly entreated his father to let his son settle
at that port. The result was the formation of the firm of
Corrie, Gladstone, and Bradshaw, corn merchants.
The firm' had hardly existed two years ere there
came a general failure of the corn crops throughout
Europe. Mr. Corrie despatched his junior partner, Mr.
Gladstone, then about 24 years of age, to the United
States to buy grain. On reaching America he found that
the corn crops had failed there also, and that there was
not a single bushel to be procured. By the next advices
which he received from England he was informed that some
24 large vessels had been:chartered to bring home the grain.
When the news became known at Liverpool it was consi-
dered impossible for the house to recover the shock arising
from scimany:vessels:returning in ballast instead of bearing
the cargoes which they had been chartered to convey. Currie
and Co. were therefore regarded as a doomed house. But
young Gladstone, though strongly impressed with the diffi-
culties of the position in which he found himself, sought every
means by which to lighten, if not to avert, the blow. By
ascertaining what procurable products would best suit the
English market, he succeeded without waste of time in
filling the holds of all the vessels, and when all was sold
and realised the net loss on the large transaction of the
house hardly exceeded £5OO. From that time John Glad-
stone became a marked man on the Liverpool Exchange
and in the English commercial world.

THE LORD RECTOR OF GLASGOW UNIVERSITY.—
The Duke of Montrose, Chancellor of the University, has
given his casting vote in favour of Lord Stanley, who is
consequently Rector of the University for the next three
years.

The California laurel wood is growing in favour
for cabinet and ornamental manufacture. Its colour ir
peculiar, but very handsome, and it is said to take a most
beautiful polish. It has a pleasing neutral tint, which
softens the glare of bright colours, and increases the depth
of subdued hues.

A merchant in the City was accustomed to demand
an excuse of his clerks whenever they arrived late. The
excuse given, he invariably added : " Very well ; but
ion% let it happen again." One morning a married clerk,
being behind time, was promptly interrogated as to the
;ause. Slightly embarrassed, be replied : "The truth is,t
I bad an addition to my family this morning, and it
was not convenient to be here sooner." " Very well," said
',lle merchant, in his quick nervous manner, " very well;
but don't let it happen again ! "

CANVASSING UNDER DIFFICULTIES.—Hon. F. L.
Pennington, an Alabama State senator, and Hon. George
L. Harrington, Speaker of the House, both Republican;
lave published a card, stating that while canvassing'
!ccently in Choctaw and Sumter counties, several attempts
were made to assassinate them. On one occasion, while
lriving through a town in daylight, they were fired upon,
ind in Choctaw they were threatened with immediate
ranging. They say that in some localities there can be no
!air election without the presence of United States troops
•,o protect Union men from being killed by rebels.