The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-20

age, and viii speak from one to two hours at a
stretch. His Illustrations are drawn from classic
literature, from a~nGlogies of history, and from
contemporary life. He has little humor. l
never heard him but once when he really sue
ceeded in downright fun, and then be did not
seem like himself. but was caught out of him
self He seldom uses climax in the structure of
his speeches, but keeps up an even interest and
eloquence, which are only fairly cumulative to
the end.
Mr. Gladstone has the working capacity and
powers of a score of ordinary men. He is q hu-
man miracle in the duties he performs, the en-.
gagements he meets, the hours he can sit at his
tasks, the projects he can formulate, and the
recreation he allows himself. He works, and
always has, with supernatural rapidly. He di-
reefs a ministry, and really is its Alpha and
Omega. He outlines all ministerial bills; is at
his post in the house; meets social and festive
engagements: reads current literature; writes
t~reatises, political, theological, controversial.
lie goes to church, reads the seriptural lessons,
walks on Sunday through his park and grounds,
ten miles at a stretch, and cuts down q great
tree with his American ak on the Monday for
exercise.
He is proverbially puuctilious in correspond
ence. When cOnventiOnality or courtesy de-
mands it, he writes his own letters. In other
cases his secretaries acknowledge every letter,
note, or postal-card received by him or for him.
Neither e.nor his representatives ever condo
scend to the vulgarity Of pleading want Of time
as IN excuse Tor eplSJOlafy negligence.
His speeches are spoken from notes. He
never reads. He thus follows the admirable
example OF most English preachers, statesmen
and lecturers.
Mr.. Gladstone, like all Of his well TODD coun-
trymen, is a good liver. He not only works
hard, but he eats like a man who had earned a
good dinner, and he sleeps as does the man with
a good conscience. His country houseis Hawar-
den Castle, near old Chester. He was, in the
England sense, born a gentleman His father,
Sir John Gladstone, bart. was n well known
and wealthy merchant of Liverpool Mr. Glad
stone was educated at Elton and Christ Church.
Oxford. His academic training was not only
educational in textbooks, but was pre-emi-
nently so in aristOcratic associations and
conventionalities. He was born to the
highest and trained to the highest En-
glish society. He was returned to Parliament
when twenty-three years of age, and has con
tinuously been a member of the House Of Com
mons for fifty years. His official residence is in
Downing street, near the houses of Parliament,
and he passes, perhaps, half of his time in Lon
don. He has at his country home and at his
town house an adequate retinue of well-trained,
and, indeed well-bred servants, and he rigidiy
conforms to the ususages of aristocratic society.
lie is a practical economist He has inher-
tied money, and he has earned money, and
he has saved money. His habits of economic
expenditure have occasioned no end Of small
talk and afternoon tea-table gossip. 1t is com
monty believed that he has the fault of parsi-
mony. This Englishmen resent They pay their
public servants not only munifcently but mag
nifcently, and they want them to live rather
gorgeously.
Those Who know Mr.. Gladstone somewhat
intimetely, perhaps in his home, bear testimony
to the high respect in which he is held by his
family and neighbors. He is not demonstrative
in his domestic affections or in his social inter
course. He has a somewhat arctic demeanor,
and were he not great and conscientious would
be conceited and imperious. When his conscience
forgets itself he is just a little of both. He is "a
moderate eater for an Englishman. What he
aafG urar11A no AoayoAl Aaf1u fagfir,p, Nv -, ayan-
age American. He drinks as carefully as lac eats
moderately. That is, he would not usually take
wine before his noon lunch unless it were a glass
of sherry Ito 20 on with" He does
not use tobacco and dslikes its use by
others. In short, and in fact, Mr. Glad
stone is exemplary in every sphere of life. He is
a great and conscientious minister of the throne.
He is a widely-read and intelligent political
economist. He is a loving student, at seventy
five years of age, of classic literature and phi
losophy. He is a thoughtful and rather obedient
husband-as he should be. He provides, accord
ing to Scripture, for his family. He has put one
son into a good church living, and two others are
in Parliament, not upon their merits, but upon
his llustriuus name. He takes care of his ad-
mirers and supporters, and sees that they and
their sons get good places in the gov
try for their c%ountry's good But he turns
not TO the right hand or to the left.
He is open, honest and strong. His gracious SOW
ereign has not wasted much love upon him. The
Queen does not care for a Prime Minister who is
quite so self-respecting as Mr.. Gladstone has
uniformly been. Beaconsield was q c%curtier.
He knew all the little pleasant tricks and phrases
of fattery. Her Majesty likes more and more
as do most people as they grow old-the incense
of praise.
Gladstone goes his way. He respects his SOW
ereign, but he does not swing the censor of adu-
lation before the throne. He is the element of
the Liberal party of England to-day. His gran
deur of character and his i!lustrious career give
him influence and prominence in English polit-
ical life not hitherto reached by any untitled
man, and which only supreme genius and abso-
Lutte integrity Of character can attain to in any
time or country.