The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1888-09-08
.GLADSTONE'S HOME LIFE.
The Picturesque Surroundings Of the
Quaint Old Village Of
Hawarden.
LUNCHEON AT THE CASTLE.

LUNCHEON Ar THE CASTLE
Mr.. Gladstone Retires Early, and Shortly
! Before 10 O'clock His Days
| Labors Are Ger.
The home of MIR. Gladstone is splen.
didlY situated on the summit of a range
of hills overlooking Chester and the
river Dee. The village contains The re.
MAINS Of castle which dates back al
most to the Conqueror, and the ancient
mound fortifcation, the ditch and draw
bridge and the keep are proof to-day OF
it's power in the past. The old castle
standing in the grounds is scarce more
than relic NOW. The modern castle in
which the Gladstone family resides was
built over a hundred years ago, and has
been considerably added to from time
to time, 50 that it is comparatively
new seat. Ithas splendid appearance;
the stone .battlements and walls. which
are we'll grown with ivy, look especially
striking. The grounds contain several
p,ints Of interest, are exceedingly we'll
wooded even now, much to the surprise
Of many visitors. who have heard no
little of Mr.. Gladstone's powers with
his axe
Hawarden church is Of rather ancient
construction, and, like the castle, has
been altered and added to considerably
up to date. It's stumpy square tower
and rows of battlements along the roof
look very striking. The graveyard at
tached is very considerable, and co,l-.
tains some exceptionally old ages on the
stones--a few centuries are, in fact, to
be seen. Situated as it is, right on the
summit OF hill, a splendid view can be
had of the tract Of land below and the
course Of the river Dee. The interior
of the church is very massive and heavy
in appearance One very interesting
item is the lectern from which MIR,
Gladstone reads the lessons when he is
at home His manner while so doing
is characteristic. Holding himself
erect he gives forth his lines i'll a clear
and penetrating voice, every word be-
ing heard and grasped. With his right
hand he follows the lines down the
Bible as he reads them, while with his
left he clutches the high candlestick
beside him for support. When Mr..
Gladstone is expected to read the les.
sons full congregation may be relied
upon. Some very extraordinary scenes
have been witnessed during service at
Hawarden church. Members of the
congregation have come out Of their
pews and stood in the aisle to look at
the great orator while he has been read
ing, and others have been actually SO
moved by his impressive rendering that
they stood on their seats in the pew and
stared wildly at him.
Mr.. Gladstone lives a very regular life
at home. He breakfasts lightly about I
O'Clock in the morning and shortly be-
fore o'clock walks to the church. .Ad-
joining the Church stands the orphan
age, which Mrs. Gladstone controls and
fosters. There are endless delightful
little bits of nature to be seen in the
park, especially by Che old mill, which
rs situated by the brook at the lower end
of the grounds. The main entranc CO to
the castle is from the village itself, just
opposite the Glynn Arms hotel, and is
rather imposing and massive. On the
slope below the Church stands the old
dover house of the G!ynn family which
is now known as The Ash, 2 and which
is tenanted by farmer. 1t is a very
picturesque old place, and the large old
fashioned freplaces that it contains are
very curious examples. Only few
months ago MIR. G Gladstone, after telling
q tree in the garden, had tea there with
Mrs. Gladstone, and stayed conversing
with. his tenant upon farming matters
for three or four hours.
Mr.. Gladsto e's study, is rather curl
ously arranged. The walls are covered
with books, and volumes are also massed
in large shelves ]utting out from the
walls into the room. Between each
partition Of books there isroom to walk.
thus the! saving Of space in arranging
the library in this manner is enormous.
The stock OF books, perhaps, exceeds
Is, 900 volumes, and notwith thstanding.
the large number Nh. Gladstone has
little didic ulty in placing his hand on:
any volume he may req quire. There are
three writing desks in the room; one is
chiefly reserved for correspondence Of
aIpolitical nature and another is used
81 Mrs. Gladstone. Looking out Of the
study window the flower beds facing
the castle present q picturesque appear.
ance, while the heavy wood ed grounds
beyond stand out:in bold relief and FORM.
a.masaiHe green back round
Luncfleon aty the castle s. conducted
81 homely lnanner 4 The s lunch 4 ;ond
ss