The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-15


lie added that his strong feeling with regard
to heredty would make 1t difficult for him TO
deal with the subject Il once" be added, with
smile, was developing this idea 10 Scotch
audience, but'-and the smile deepened-"I
could make way with them; they remained
cold aud dead, aud had to drop the subject
Disrseli was next discussed. and DIR. Glad
stone spoke Of the man who had been his rival
Tor so many years with perfect lmparpality-
nay, with q certain kindness. had once be-
fore heard him express the opinion that Dis
raelIs greatest speeches were made before he
became a minister, and while be was in opposi-
ton to Peel. He gave, as an instance. some or
his speeches in lS45-as. for instance. ais speech
against tho Maynooth grant / should explain
to American readers that May uooth' IS the
chief college in Ireland for the training OF Cath
Ole priests; that it was endowed by the govern
ment up 10 the time of the disestablishment OF
the Irish Church, and that, Ia lS45 Peel created
q great storm among strong ProteStants by
proposal TO increase the endowment.
For what" said Disrael, Ibid the right hon
orable gentleman convulse the countryi That
the Maynooth students might sleep two in bed
instead of three"
Mr.. Gladstone gave this phrase with great
gusto, aud with q certain imitation Of the deep
sepulchral voice of Disraeli. He then told me
that the FIRST time be had seen Disraeli was st a
dinner given by Lord Lyndhurst in 1885, when
was ignorant of the world" said Mr.. Glad
stone, ''or so busy with something else that l
had never even heard his name; but the feature
that struck me most about him was the very
fanciful way in which be was dressed. said at
one time tia. he was the most picturesque figure
in our parliamentary history, with the single
exception of Pitt Afterwards, In the last years
OF Disraelis life, 1 withdrew the exception and
described him as the most picturesque figure in
our history
He alluded to the biography of Beaconsield
which l have written. and which, he said, be
had carefully preserved, and then added:
"Disraelis whole character deserved the very
ar etr11v 10
perhaps, capable of giving such q view. but do
not think Lord Rowton (who is Disraeli's literary
executorl Is the man TO accomplish such task"
He then alluded to Disraelrs conduct on the
Jewish question as the most noble episode in his
life II saw him" said Mr. Gladstone" stand
ing up In the midst Of the Tory party and max
ing the strongest defense OF the Jsws-even go
ing far as to describe them still the chosen
people Of God. He must have known that every
word he was saying was bitterness 10 all the
Torres around him, but still he went on saying
it, and Lord John Russell. who was sitting be-
side me- turned to me and said: Is IL not won
derfull Look at the power OF conscience work
ing In that map.''
asked Mr.. Gladstone whether Disraeli had
much power over his colleagues. He replied
that he had often made the remark that the
most wonderful thing about Disraeli was his
government of his colleagues They all hated
him and yet they all obeyed him.
Then we got on to other celebrities of the
long dead past perhaps some Of them nero
meaningless names to your public. For in
stance, there an allusion to the Earl Grey of
the past generation. Lord Grey was a very Gu
rious man, always obiecting to what other peo-
pie had done. Once there was document which
had been drafted by some other hand, and when
it was being discussed Lord Grey objected at
every point until at last Lord Melbourne who
was then Prime Minister, and who was of very
different character, said: ''Well, write the
port yourself"
Grey retired into corner. but he paused and
haaiS I'D md n hsop OF all
triumphantly called out: "Ah, now you can
get on because you can't agree even with your
self"
Up to this moment we had avoided the imme-
date aspects OF the Irish question. but We had
to get on to it. Mr.. Gladstone, who reads vora-
ciously. had just got advance copy of an arti-
Gle by Archbishop Walsh, OF Dublin, on
the working of the last land act, and he
spoke of the article IN the highest terms;
it was most striking and most interest
Ing suggested that there ought to be 8
demand in the coming session Of Parliament for
an arrears BILL In order TO enable tenants TO get
out of their difficulties. II shall have to consult
others with whom / am acting" modestly said
Dir. Gladstone, mistaking my meaning. l ex-
planned that was thinking OF such proposal
coming from the Irish mcmbers and not from
the Liberal party.
In the pauses in our conversation Mr. Glad
stone once or twice sat down for few moments
on one OF the seats. IL was n close day, and he
perspired freely. He took off his hat and felt
little anxious lest he should get cold; but
have heard that he never gets cold from this
kind of exposure Often when he has been ad-
dressing great open-air meetings the people have
begged HIM to put on his hat. but he has always
refused, and he has never suffered any evil con-
sequences.
pie as ruling race and this led him to the story
of the rebellion that took place in Cephalonis,
one of the Icnian islands, long ago. / confess I
had never heard Of or had forgotten all
,n4r fhA nhAIlt hr1t ,lQha
spoke of it as freshly though it
had occurred yesterday. There had been
some slight disturbances. and the Governor
appointed, said Mr.. Gladstone. by good
liberal of that period-had hanged several peo-
pe-I think he said six-and logged some forty
six weeks after everything had been restored
to tranquility. Mr.. Gladstone was a high
commissioners of the Ionian islands several
years after this, and wrote report which has
| never yet been published.
"When was in the Ionian islands" said
Mr.. Gladstone. Zone OF the many charges made
against me in my absence was that bad kissed
| the hand OF the Bishop. as was the custom Of
the country, and so serious was the charge con-
sidered.' he continued with merry smile,
that they actually teegraphed to me about il.
told them to wait as would be back in few
weeks. When came back l went to Lord
| Derby. Lord Grey had given notice that he
would raise the question, and Lord Derby told
| me that if I went TO Lord Grey to explain the
matter, this is what would occur: He would
listen TO me politely and patiently, and at tue
end Of it would say that all / had said had only
confirmed him in his opinions. WE'LL said
TO Lord Derby, 4 have another shot
in MY locker" and then L mentioned the
Cephalonau report. Lord Grey had appointed
the Governor who had been guilty Of these
atrocities. Well, went to Lord Grey, and what
Lord Derby had prophesied occurred. He lis
tened to me politely and patiently, and then said
| that al had stated only confirmed him in his
| own opinions. But / told him about the Cepha-
lonian report and there Mr.. Gladstones smile
broadenedl and heard no moro about kissing
the bishops hand
The pleasure Of this story to me was that IL
showed how consistent Mr. Gladstone has been
throughout his life in his hatred Of cruelty and
oppression.
| We walked over the hills aud then in the
| woods, and it was evidently delight to Mr..
| Gladstone to tramp through the fallen leaves.
| We got back to the house after about an hour or
| so, and then we went into ths room in which he
| works. 1t is q fine, large room with splendid
| light. Dir. Gladstone has q chair just under one
| Of the large windows, and here he sits with his
| back TO the light Beside him is candle
stick with polished shield behind to increase
the light. He sitting in this chair and
reading the correspondence Of OConnel at the
moment when l saw him earlier in the day.
small tray was broughtin with tiny silver tea
to my sorrow, for I'm devotee OF tea-but
| one teacup. ~ won't offer you a cup OF tes, )"
said Mr.. Gladstone, "because you are going to
dine at quarter TO G." 1t was then about 5.
! But seeing the blank look OF sorrow / could not
l-aan ,tof,ra face has Won n