The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-11-27
a STATESMAN'S HOME.
The Beautiful Place at Hawarden Inhabi-
ted by Mr.. Gladstone.

ted by Mr.. Gladstone.
English statesmen generally enjoy an
advantage not always possessed by those
of our own land in having country es-
tates to which they can retire when out
of Office, and occasionally while in
office.
No one can attain to the full measure
OF harmonious manhood who is totally
severed from the soil, the common
source of health and wealth; and surely,
if any man should have an advantageous
lot, it is those who administer public
affairs.
Mr.. Gladstone's country home is at
Hawarden. beautiful parish in the
county of Flint, within sight and sound
OF the Irish sea. Flint, or Flintshire, is
the smallest county in Wales, but not
the least attractive one-third of its
extent is owned by thirteen proprietors,
OF whom the Premier ranks second in
the number OF his acres. Lord Hammer
has seven thousand three hundred and
eighteen, and Mr.. Gladstone six thou
sand nine hundred and eight acres.
Except well-wooded park, this estate
is divided into farms. which are let to
tenants upon long leases, at a rent
of something like ten dollars an acre.
This rent, however, has of late years been
subject to serious reduction, owing to
an extraordinary series of four bad har-
vests. Such an estate would usually
yield the proprietor about forty thou
sand dollars year.
The house in which Mr. Gladstone
lives is called Hawarden Castle. Ameri-
can visitors. who naturally think that all
castles must be ike those described in
Sir Walter SCOTS poems and novels,
are disappointed IN finding this one an
imitation castle, built only fifty or sixty
years ago. a plain, roOmy house with
sham battlementS. such as retired
merchant of the last generation might
have built. Indeed, we believe it was
built by Mrs. Gladstone grandfather,
who was an alderman of Liverpool.
The aesthetic visitor is consOled by 4
sight of the real Hawarden Castle, an
iyory-mantled ruin, which lifts its green
and venerable front in full view of the
inhabited mansion. which has nothing
to recommend it except that it is con-
yenient and comfortable.
1t may be said, perhaps, that these
two ediiices well represent their present
proprietor who is himself 4 nineteenth
century man, yet cherisheS wise re-
gard for the fourteenth. We say a wise
regard. He values the ivy-mantled
ruin. without forgetting that it is ruin.
and lives in the ugly house which has
the modern improvements.
Mr.. ThOreau would not approve the
interior of Mr.. Gladstone 5 abode Thor
eau was of opinion that we moderns
have too many things He was never
tired of laughing at the man who, when
he was advised to 90 South for the cure
Of his consumption, cried out in a pitt
full tone:
''But what shall do with my furni-
ture?"
From the picture published some time
ago of Mr.. Gladstone'S library, we
should conclyde it useless for any friend
Or admirer to give him bust, statrI-
cite, an easy chair, or book He is
full.
other noted European house,is its park.
For many centuries the English people
have had Il particular taste for rural
beauty, owing to the fact that the homes
of powerful families have always been
in the country. If you were to go
the whole of Burke's Pcerage
and ask every person mentioned in
it, '.Where do you live, my lord?' not
one of them would answer London"
They have ''hOuseS" in London; but
their homes are where the birds sing.
Hence, age after age, the taste of the
Nation has exhausted itself in develop
ing and displaying the lOvelinesS of the
country, until an English park is the
most exquisite thing to be seen in the
world
Mr.. Gladstone delights chiefly in his
trees, and be likes them too well to let
them fall into decay. When Il tree has
reached It's perfect growth he rcjoiccs TO
cut it down with his own hands and
good American AK. He has choice
collection of thirty axes. many of which
have been sent TO him by persons syn
pathizing with his love of the wood
mans craft. For his own chopping.
however, he will have no AK but the
instrument made in New England, and
developed to perfection by two centuries
OF battle with the primeyal forest.
Cur wish is that every worthy states
man had as suitable and as restful 4
home as Hawarden Castle.-Y YOuth's
COnlDdniOn.