St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-19
GLADSTONE.
Golfers Impressions Of the Great
English Statesman.
How He Looks, Dresses, Speaks, .wOrks, and
Iives-A Remarkable Nan.

the outgrowth of the civic institutions and
The. climatic conditions of another nation.
The ignorance OF EnglishmeD concerning
American affairs, politics, and public men is
simply stupendous, aud is hard to account
for. Germany understands Us better, and
France understands Us not at all. 1t IS, how
ever, true that our conventional estima ate OF
European politics, diplomacy and public men
is often, If not commonly, wide Of the mark
Mr.. Gladstone is one Of Americas idols.
he Is surrounded by halo to the average
American mind. He fills out the ideal Of
pure, capable, scholarly, achieving states
man. To begin with, it is true that Mr..
Gladstone is one OF the remarkable men OF
this century. His Is the most conspicuous
political figure to-day in Europe. Bismarck
is waning as n factor in European politics
aud diplomacy. Bismarck Is still herculean
in viii aud force, aud in imperious dicta-
ton But he has ceased TO be that ostensible
almightiness that be obviously was a decade
ago. Gladstone has lost no element Of his
power in England. His control and inhu-
ence always had their distinct limitations.
He has never held the hearts Of the whole
people in allegiance 10 his leadership as Bea-
cons6eld, the tory, did, or as John Bright the
radical does. BeacOusfield was a supreme
genius. Gladstone Is genius, but his gem
ius has no supreme dominance over his theo-
ries and administration Of affairs. In practi-
cal matters be has yeTy usually been on the
wrong side. Political consistency has never
been jewel in MS crown He was wrong
on the question Of the Crimeau war; he was
wrong on the question of our civil war. He
went into Office and power in 1880 upon the
cry Of no ''iingoism," and his administra-
ton has been conducted upon the worst
forms OF that ''bloOd and glory'' principle.
Mr.. Gladstone has an intense mind, but il
is singularly insular aud, indeed, paroehisl.
Theoretically he believes in human progress
and in the capacity Of Englishmen for self
government But in practical politics his
course has been far from direct and consist
emit; indeed, II has been eccentric and zig
gag. In many WAYS and theories he is con-
sentative, in others he is very progressive
and radical. Neither moderztes nor ex-
tremists are ever sure Of his support
Recently his conduct of affairs in parlia-
ment has illustrated tie untrustworthiness
OF his judgment and guidance. The coun-
try was enthusiastically with him on the
franchise bill. The radicals had no iuten-
ton to cOncede TO the tories an avowal Of
their scheme OF redistribution Of seats in
parliament. Gladstone had been supposed
10 be stauneh, unyielding, infexible. The
tories stole a march upon him. AL OF a
sudden--indeed In a giffy--Ae conceded
pretty much all the opposition had contended
for and so he leaves his party, especially the
radical section OF il, gazing and gaping in
bewilderment He began as a tory. He has
been radical and moderate in turn, aud his
somersaults have been whimsical and some
times petulant.
However, this man has enormous grip up
on English domestic affairs and upon the
liberal politicians and voters, and here are
some Of the reas ons of this tight and strong
hold upon the people. He is a magnetic or
ator. He is gifted with a glowing vOeabu-
larry. He has an easy way TO the peoples
Imagination and heart His eloQuence is
classic. He ranges over all fields oflearning
and into all realms of Illustration. He is
scholarly. He reads, he writes, he speaks
with prodigslity of will and vim perfectly
astounding. Then he has the supreme yir-
tue of public life. His integrity is above
/ suspicion He is transparency honest His
| political opponents know this. His mind
may be erratie, but his conscience is con-
centric. His conscience has never had by
play. His conscience has known none Of
the charms and delights Of coquetry and
stolen kisses. And it has known none of
their pains and penalties.
Mr. Gladstone is an imposing figure physi-
cally, he stands six feet in his boots, and, al
though he will be IS years of age the 29th of
the current December, he is straight and
alert. He is broad-shouldered, well made,
and has all the signs about him Of a well-pre-
served constitution. He is a man who would
sttract notice anywhere. He is distinguished
and unusual in appearance and bearing. Mr..
Gladstone has an uncommonly large head
and high, broad forehead. His eyes are mys-
teIious. They are set far back In his head,
and yet they are great orbs, rolling restlessly
and with intense piercing outgo at times.
saw him in the house Of commons, one night
listening to Lord Randolph Churchill on the
| vote Of censure when he was piling up &C
cusations and damaging facts against Glad
stone for his conduct Of affairs in Egypt He
was on high horse aud was pouring hot shot
into the prime minister, and Gladstone's eyes
had the fire Of bell in them. His eyes were
in frenzy Of indignation and anger.
never saw such eyes as are In this man
head. At times they are the eyes Of devil.
l have often wondered why Mr.. Gladstone is
so difficult a man to converse with. he is
always pre-occupied and yet he is atfable. He
/ - SciUOul viii YOU Hucu Nucu Ne Is I1lkl0E
to you. His mind Is of elsewhere. I have
noticed him in conversation with important
and perhaps ilustrious people, and still his
mind seemed absent But his eyes are ter
Tor. They are so unearthly that they give
one sometimes the impression OF being pre-
ternatural. Mr.. Gladstone's face Is large.
bony, swsrthy, and full of crows feet But
head and face and features are all massive
! and majestic.
He dresses like a gentleman. In the COM
mons he isfrequently in full evening dress,
and when he is intending to speak he is very
nSttily gotten up and always wears on such
occasions buiton-hole bouquet. On the
streets and before the dinner hour in the
mmons he wears--as do most elderly Eng
lish gentlemen double-breasted, high-cui
frock coat, and lightish trousers. OF course
he always wears a stovepipe silk hat. aud is
one OF the first in the spring TO don white
hat and white waistcoat- There are two we'll
known gentlemen in England who are VERY
noted for the monstrous sails or acres OF
white linen they wear about their necks-
namely, Mr.. Gladstone and Mr. Henry Irv-
ing, saw Mr.. Gladstone in the commons
one night, at the opening Of the season, when
he was outlining the policy and programme
Of the ministry. He was in full evening
dress and had large button-hole OF lilies,
which stuck up under his ear and was no end
OF annoyance to him. II is said-in a whis-
per-that Gladstone hstes this big bunch OF
flowers in his button-bole when he is speakin 2
but that bis adoring and considerste wife in
sists upon IT, Added to the mischief-makin g
nosegay was-what seemed to me-the fur
ther bother Of an immense collar. This col
lar stands nigh up and is rigidly stiff
touching the lower points Of his ears.
Mr.. Gladstone speaks Ike most men OF
genius. In conversation he is moody. Al