Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1872-08-31
The Married Life of Gladstone and
nlarnali

From London Letter to the Boston Post
Gladstone was the leading scholar at
Oxford at the same time that the pres
ent Lord Lyttleton was leading scholar
at Cambridge. On one of their vaca-
tions they both happened to be visiting
at Hawarden castle, the Welsh country
house of Sir Stephen Glynne. Sir Ste
phen had family Of charming daugh-
ters, and the champions Of the two uni
versities, naturally attractive youths,
gained the affections of two OF them, and
they we're subsequently married on the
same day and by the same parson. Lady
Lyttleton died some years since, but
MRS. Gladstone still lives to adorn the
premier home, and to take benevo-
lent part in the amelioratiou of the
poor; and is, in English phrase, one OF
the finest women" in the three king
doms. | cannot omit, in this connec-
ton, to refer TO Viscountess Beacons-
field, the admirable spouse OF Mr..
Disraeli. Their coming together had a
tinge of romance to it. Disraeli was
just becoming known as fashionable
novelist and promising young man of
the town, and had written "Vivian
Grey" This novel so captiyated the
lady, who was then married, and was
considerably the noyelists senior,
that although she never had seen him
she entered into correspondence with
him, which led to close and affection
ate friendship. Her husband dying sew
eral years later, Disraeh sought and won
her hand. They never have had chill
dren, but happier, more faithful, more
devoted couple does not exist Mrs.
Disraeli always took the keenest interest
in her husbands s career, and he once
said in one of his matchlessly graceful
speeches, that whatever success he had
had he attributed to the constancy, affec.
ton and encouragement of the partner
of his life. On one occasion Disraeli
was going to make speech in the House
upon which he counted to make bril-
liant effect When about TO speak, any
disturbing incident, however trihing, ia
ant to disconcert and confuse him. Mrs
Disraeli was to accompany him to West
minister, and her husband having entered
the carriage, she was getting in, when
her thumb was caught and jammed in
in the carriage window. Nothwithstand-
ing the pain, which increased every mo-
ment that the thumb remained under
the window, the heroic lady never
WINGED or stirred till they reached the
Parliament house-afraid if she stirred,
or tried to abstract the thumb, it would
disturb her husband, and affect the sue
cess of his harangue. Is it any wonder
that, when Disraeli, being about to retire
from the premiership, was offered peer
age by the queen, he declined the honor
but begged her majesty to bestow the
distinction upon his wife iHstead2 Thus
Mrs. Disraeli became Viscountess Bea-
name redolent of the men,
ories of Burke. aud title which gave her
coequal social rank with the ladies of the
most ancient lineage. One often sees
this remarkable pair now, ia the West
End quarter, the lady seeming old ead
fraiI, the husband young, jaunty and
spring gated, walking slowly, for Lady
Beaconsfelds health will not permit
faster progress. Indeea, this devotion
to a wife considerably older than hiIl-
self. and who has borne him no heirs to
his splendid fame Gnd princely fortune,
is one of The finest traits of Disraeli
character, aud one which has gained
him universal respect and esteem IN
English society, even from those who are
such domestic virtue.