Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-10

The GLADSTONE FAMILY-Mr Johr
Gladstone liked that bis children shoulc
exercise their Judgment by stating the
why and wherefore of every opinion they
offered, and Il college friend of Williams
who went on visit to Fasque, in Kin
cardinshire, during the summer of 1929
furnishes amusing pictures of the family
customs in that house, where the chill
dren and their parents argued upon every
thing" They would debate as to whelh
er the trout should be boiled or broiled,
whether window should be opened, and
whether it was likely to be fine or wet
next day. It. was always perfectly good
humored, but curious to a stranger,
because Of the evident care with which all
the disputants took to advance no propo
sitions, even 10 the prospects OF II rain,
rashly. One day Thomas Gladstone
knocked down Il wasp with bis handker.
chief, and was about to crush it on the
table, when his father started the question
as to whether he had the right to kill the
insect; and this point was discussed with
AS much seriousness as if a human life
had been at stake. When ut last it was
adjudged that death was deserved because
it was a trespasser in the drawngroom, a
common enemy, and danger there, it
was found that the insect had crawled
from under the handkerchief, and was
flying away with staggering sort OF
buzz, as if to mock them all.' On another
occasion William Gladstone and his sister
Mary disputed AS to where certain
picture ought to be hung. An old Scotch
servant came in with ladder, and Stood
irresolute while the argument progressed;
but as Miss Mary would not yield, Will
liam calamity ceased from speech, though
unconvinced, of course. The servant then
hung up the picture where the young lady
ordered, but when he had done tnis he
crossed the room and hammered IA nail
into the opposite wall. He was asked
why he did this: "Aweel, Miss, that'll do
to hang the picture on when Yell have
come round to Master Willie's opeenion."
The family generally did come round to
Williams opinion, Tor the resources of
his tongue fencing were wonderful, and
his father, who admired clever feint as
much AS straight thrust, never failed to
him by saying, Hear, hear;
we'll said, well put, Wlllie!" ifthe younger
debater bore himself we'll in an encounter.
Another thing which Mr.. John Gladstone
taught his children was to accomplish to
the end whatever they might begin, and
no matter how Insignificant the undertake
ing might be. Assuming that the enter
prise had been commenced with a deliher-
ate, thoughtful purpose, it would obviously
be weakness to abandon it, whereas, if it
had been entered upon without thought it
would be useful TO carry it through as a
lesson against acting without reflection.
rhe tenacity with which William Glad
stone adhered to this principle exercised, |
no doubt, beneficial moral discipline
upon himself, but was frequently very
trying to his companions. AT Fasoue," |
says this friend already quoted, 1--WE often |
had archery practice, anu the arrows that |
went wide of the target would get lost in |
he long grass. Most of US would have
liked to collect only the arrows that we |
could find without trouble, and then begin |
shooting again; but this was not Williams |
way. lie would insist that all the arrows
should be found before we shot our second
,oleys, and would marshal us in Indian
lie, and make us tramp about in the
yrass, till every culver had been refilled.
)nce we were so long in hunting for a
ulLOW uuoh Ou anu
We had to reinquish the search. The next
morning as was dressing, saw, through
ny window, William ranging the fields
nd prodding into every tutt Of grass with
stick. lie had been busy in this way
Or Two hours, and at length he found the
rrow just before breakfast. l remarked
hat he had wasted good deal OF time.
Yes and no, be said, Il was certain the
rrow could be found if looked for it in
certain way; but it was the longest