The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-01-12
A CHAT WITH GLADSTONE.
His Views on American Journalism
and Architecture.

and Architecture.
C. s. Pelham Clinton in Once a Week.
was shown up to MIR. Gladstone's study
at once. The hall is square and furnished
in hard wood and frightened by red rugs
On one side is the dining-room, and at the
head of the stairs is the drawing room,
Turning to the right, however, few steps
before the drawing-room level is reached, a
small passage brought me to the door of
the study, which was standing open.
Through 1t could see across the room, and
ON lounge at the other side, half living
down, was Mr.. Gladstone, reading very in
tently. IL seemed at first almost as if he
was so intent on his volume that he could
not bring his mind back to animate objects,
as he did not catch my name, but when he
did, his greeting was kindness itself.
OF course the conversation was entirely
non-political and the subject was never
once mentioned, my wish being to, obtain
from the ex-premier his views on American
journalism.
Mr.. Gladstone said in reply to my cues
ton as to what his opinions were on Amerl-
can journalism that the subject was one
with which he could hardly conscientiously
deal. The subject was too broad to discern
with his limited knowledge of the journal
ism Of America. He considered, gathered
from what he said, that the power of the
press in America was very vast, worse than
in England; while also, from what he heard
that the average circulation of papers and
magazines was smaller than in England.
In this l differed from him. He said In
reply to my remark that anything he said
or wrote was of great interest to American
readers, that it was kind of me to say SO,
but thai ne hardly thought such could be
the case.
We then talked for some time on Amer
| lean subjects, journalism and the enterprise
| OF American papers being the subject. In
this Mr.. Gladstone fully concurred. He
was greatly interested, and spoke very full Y
on the fact that Americans 10 general were
30 interested with the antiquities of Europe.
aad said that he considered it very hope
ful sign that they should take such vast
interest as they did, and he quite believed
| that the average American knew more of
England, and London in particular, than the
average Englishman, who did not know as
much as he should. Mr.. Gladstone then
went on to speak of cathedrals and
churches in England, turning on the
| subject, owing to remark
| had made that cathedrals were particularly
! a subject Of interest to Americans. He adj
| vised any one interested in these matters to
visit Truro cathedral, which, though not
finished, furnished one with the best
| examples of modern architecture, and
slloWeu NE DOCKS anu plans OF the building,
and also plan of several others. His re-
marks on the subject were very much TO the
| point, and showed vast knowledge of
architecture. We talked on the subject for
some time and then reverted again to
America. Mr.. Gladstone was interested in
the Episcopal cathedral that is in
prospect in New York, and said
that such building was necessary for
such a great country, and inquired II
the Roman Catholics had cathedral also.
This described to him, and asked if there
was any chance of his ever visiting Amer
lea. HIS age prevented him, he said; and
after few inquiries after members of my
family the interview terminated l was
disappointed at not getting a more decisive
opinion on the subject, but Mr.. Gladstone
did not wish TO give an opinion on a subject
he was not thoroughly conversant with,
and, as he himself fully appreciated, re-
marks emanating from such a well-known
source were liable TO misconstruction il not
handled discrtetly.
That this feeling toward America was
warm there could be little doubt, and that
he fully appreciated-as few Englishmen
who have not visited the country do appre-
ciate-the vastRess and greatness of the
country, was plain to be seen.
i