Huntsville gazette., 1886-07-24

bound for Hawarden as soon as the
House adjourned, and it might reason
ably be expected that he would take the
fullest opportunity of enjoying his rest.
The House of Commons adjourned on
the Thursday, and that same night the
Premier slept amid the peace and rest
of the woods that encircle Hawarden
Castle. On the Sunday next he was
standing at the desk reading the lesson
as if this duty comprised the full labor
of the week.
Whilst in residence at Hawarden,
whether in the long recess or during
the briefer intervals at Easter or Whit
suntide, Mr.. Gladstone takes what he is
| pleased to call holiday-that is to say,
he does not within the space of twenty
four hours do more work than an aver
| age of two men might think was fair
allotment for them jointly.
Apart from official labor, his corre-
spondence is enormous. People write
to him just as if he were the Times. He
is, perhaps. little too easily drawn,
and is now suffering from indiscretions
committed between 1874 and 1880. Dur
ing that epoch time hung heavy on his
hands. He had abandoned the leader
ship of the liberal party, and declared
| that henceforward he would devote
himself to literary work.
But Mr.. Gladstone was evidently un-
| happy. Not knowing what to do with
| part of his leisure moments, he COM
menced a practice which soon provided
sufficient work even for him. He began
to correspond individually with the
| British nation. 1t is true that with a
stern resolve to limit particular oppor-
tunities, he did not go beyond the use
of postcards. But these he poured
forth in endless profusion, and it is
probable that before the Disraeli Parlia-
ment showed signs of tottering to its
fall, one per cent. of the population of
the British Isles was in possession of .
postcard written by Mr.. Gladstone.
In the autumn of 1879 his restless en-
ergy and his Unsuitable appetite for
work were, it may be supposed, fairly
| satisfied. 1t was at this time he en-
| barked upon what is already known in
history as the Midlothian campaign. 1t
| was my fortune to accompany him
through that memorable journey, and
though long accustomed to witness his
tours de force in the House of Commons.
I was amazed at his tireless vitality.
Take it for all in all, that was, [ should
say, the happiest three weeks of his life.
1t was, in its way, almost paralleled
| during the winter season of 1882. This
was specially summoned with the object
of celebrating a scheme for the better
conduct of parliamentary proceedings,
which threatened to come to dead
lock owing to the untamed activity OF
the obstructionists. Mr.. Gladstone took
carried them through preliminary stages
by the force of irresistible eloquence,
and then, night after night, fought word
by word. and line by line, till the pro-
posed resolutions were inscribed as
standing orders.
Mr.. Gladstone is, of course, assisted
in his official correspondence by private
secretaries. As Premier he has two,
who find their hands pretty full in the
course of the session. His official resi-
dence and workshop are situated at
No. 10 Downing street, an eminently
respectable, but somewhat dingy house
in cul-de-sdc into which carriage en-
trance is obtained from Parliament
street. Sir Robert Walpole was the
first English Premier who took this for
his official residence. George III. offer
ed to present it to him for his private
use, but Sir Robert would accept it only
upon condition that it should be heri-
tage for the Premier of the day. 1t is
here the Cabinet councils are held.
At Hawarden the same solid SIM
plicity is observable throughout the
house, and in the library where Mr..
Gladstone spends most of his time when
within doors. But this room is richly
furnished with books, wall-covering
for which one would cheerfully dis
pense with anything upholsterers could
do. The large room, with its three
windows and two fire-places, is literally
built about with bookcases. There are
in this and other rooms over ten thou
sand volumes. 1t may be mentioned,
in support of the foregoing contention
as to what Mr.. Gladstone might have
been if he had not been a statesman, that
a considerable portion are theological
works. Mr.. Gladstone's correspond
ence, official and more especially prI-
vate, seems to increase as the days roll
by! He is as methodical as he is ener-
getic, and each day sees its measure of
work accomplished. It would Of course
be impossible even for Mr.. Gladstone
personally to grapple with his corre-
spondence, though he sees everything
that Is addressed to him. His secreta-
ries open the letters, read them, fold
them lengthwise, and endorse on the
back the name of the writer, and the
purport of his correspondence.
Occasionally he writes letter in his
own hand. But this is less frequent
than befel in 1874 to 1880, for Mr.. Glad
stones work daily increases, and he has
more than once pathetically reminded
an incredulous House of Commons. his
capacity for dealing with it is shrinking.
Henry ". Lucy. an Youths Conapas-
ion.
G0llnCian's Qualifications