New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-25
NEW PUBLICATIONS.
MR.. RUsSELL,s GLADSTONE.


THE PRIME MINISTER OF QUEEN VICTORIA.
The Right Honorable William Ewart Gladstone ny
George W. +. Russell. 12mo, PIP. 2oS' Ne"-ioih'
Harper & Brothers.
The main purpose which this volume serves Is 10
demonstrate the need of autobiography. Mr.. Nus
sell was supposed to have special faciiiues anu ui'
usual equipment for writing good biography OF MI
Gladstone, but there is little evidence In ms "or@ W
show that he specially fitted either In the posses
sion OF new material Of intellectual resources ho
a literary undertaking Of such magnitude. lie mas
produced very inadequate book and revealed smah
mind in dealing with great subject MT oiaus'o"e
as the foremost man In English public lie mas d
UNIQUE personality An autobiography VIII receive inc
Impress Of his character and VIII oher an auequa.o
presentation Of the man as he Is. MI husseii
failure to do more than TO compile summary OF the
events OF his career and TO moralze feeoly ABOUT
traits OF his character with which he Is IN Imperfect
sympathy ought to be a warning TO other ampiuous
bographers to avoid subject TO which only MI oiao
stone can do justice. The publication OF TINS worA
will inevitably strengthen the demand OF the EngnSh-
speaking world for a browning literary work from
Mr. Gladstone in his old age that will deal with the
memorable events Of his public life
of the eleven chapters comprised in Mr.. RusselPs
unfortunate booA the first and the last present per
haps the only novel features. The opening chapter
contains an interesting account Of Mr. Gladstone's
school and university life. In the Liverpool house
where he was born controversy was in the ar III
was the fathers habit TO discuss all questions woh MS
children succession of arguments on topics great
and small formed the staple OF family conversation
The children and their parents are described as arguing
about everything. "They would debate to whether
the trout should be boiled broed whether win
dow should be opened and whether it likely to be
fine or wet next day. 1t was all perfectly good
humored but curious TO stranger, because OF the
evident care which all the disputants took TO advance
no proposition as to the prospect OF raln r@shy'
The young logcan accustomed to controversy ana
rr1,a Tho
asterfu will and keen perception. the sweetness and
piety Of the mother wealth. with all its SUBSTANTIAL
advantages and few Of its mischefs strong sense OF
the value of money, rigid avoidance OF exraVasanco
and excess; everywhere a strenuous purpose IN me-
constant employment and concentrated amDluoh."
There was everything in the home TO make MI Glad-
stone the man he is and almost from the outset OF
his school life his companions felt that he had great
part TO play in life. At Elton he worked hard, was
priorly and conscientious. Even as schooiboy
he exercised influence for good, encouraging MS
companions to be sudious and to debate pnonc ques
tons with fairness, and turning his glass upSaedown
and declining to drink when coarse toast was pro
posed.
Mr. Russell gives some fresh details Of this school
life at Eton showing that the boy Gladstone was seen
10 the greatest advantage in the debates OF inc
"Literati" and in the edtorship OF the MISCELLANY.
His maiden 81 'ech at the debating club opened WIFI
the Characteristic words ain this of increased and
fervid peroraton on question relating to Queen
Anne's last Ministry. The last words were: In
common fairness and in common candor feel myself
compelled to give my decisive verdict against the con
duct of men whose measures firmly believe TO nave
been hostile to British interests, destructive of British
glory and subversve Of the splendid and trust last
ing fabric of the British Constitution" This sounds for
all the world like the peroraons of of his famous
speeches As he was always debating when boy. so
was he constantly writing. AS editor Of the " Elton
Miscellany lie wrote prOlogues, epiogues, leading
articles historical essays, satirical Sketches classical
transaations and humorous poetry. His literary in
hustry was ncessant. Indeed as a schoolboy all the
marked characteristics of the coming were un
erringly disclosed.
The other chapter to which we have referred is
striking because it dscloses the infrmtes of temper
with which a small-minded b0grapher has approached
the contemplation of very great man. 1t assumes to
present critical analysis Of Mr.. GladstOne's char
oeer bu il only serves to reveal the petty ieaouses
existing among the group of admirers swarmng about
The Liberal leader. After making some trivial and
commonplace remarks about Mr.. Gadstone's religious
ness love of power, conservative instincts, business
like aptitude, courtesy and aractiveness in private
life the biographer improves the opportunity for
striking sharp rap over the great mans head at some
rivals whom he dslikes. He complains that Mr.
Gladstones toward intellectual interiors IS
almost ludcrousy humble that all his geese are
swans that he is lacking in sharp siGhtednes as to
OtheH," and is constantly exposed TO the arts OF
scheming mediocrite. whose interested opinions he
is apt TO place fatally implicit reliance" Mr. Rus
sell NAV have failed to take the great mans measure.
but he is at least good enough to favor the public Win
his own-and it is in inches and not very many OF
them These closing sentences reveal the bographers
emptiness of mind in contemplating the character OF
the greatest Englshman Of his day: The dignity the
order the simplicity, and above all the fervent and
manly pety of his daily life form spectacle far more
impressive than his most magnificent performances in
Parliament the platform. He is the idol OF those
who are most closely associated with him, whether by
the ties of blood, of friendship of duty; and per
haps is his highest praise to say that he Is not I'M
worthy of the devotion which he inspires"