The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-28

been popular IN London society. She
dresses badly. with incongruous colors,
and abundance of laces and ribbons and
furbelows. but not always in the latest
fashion, as even masculine eye can dis
Germ; yet no one familiar with the great
world in any country could ever mistake
her for parvenue.
Early in the seventies, when Gladstone
was at the head of the government and
her parties were, of course, important
political gatherings. to which the first per-
sonages IN her husbands following were
invited as a matter of course, Mrs Glad
stone often gave great oifense by leaving
out people of consequence. The London
wits used to say that she put her invitations
under the sofa when she had written
them instead OF sending them to the SER
wants to deliver. When General Schenck
arrived in London as American minister
he was anxious to meet the Duke Of
Argyle, then member of Gladstone's
cabinet; so the Gladstones invited the
Schencks and Argyles to dinner. But the
only night on which the prime minister
was free was Saturday; other nights he
must be in the house of commons, and
General Schenck had cards out for even
ing receptions for several Saturdays ahead.
Still, as il was so desirable to bring about
the meeting, the general agreed to go to
the dinner and leave his family to receive
at home until he could return. He went
to Mr.. Gladstone's on Saturday, but Mrs.
Gladstone had forgot to invite the Argyles.
In 1879 the speaker of the house of COM
mons was Mr.. Brand, now Lord Hamp-
den. The speaker is the first commoner
In England; his family was on intimate
terms, socially and politically, with the
Gladstones. but Mrs. Gladstone constantly
neglected to invite them to her receptions
OF course they stayed away, and when
this WAS noticed and they told the reason,
1t was explained to them that the omission
could not be Intentional; they were begged
to come TO every assembly whether they
received cards or no. At the very next
party the same thing occurred; the Brands
got no cards: hut as their absence might
seem significant they went, in accordance
with the verbal suggestions; and the trst
thing they saw as they entered the draw
ing-roOm aud made their compliments to
the hostess. WAS paper stuck into the
mirror opposite the door with these words
written large: Mem: To invite those
Brands" Mrs. Gladstone had got as far
ms the memorandum. but failed 10 send
the invitation.
One might perhaps imagine that this ILL
dressed, forgetful, fussy, almost awkward
English woman did not contribute 10 her
husbands success, but all the world knows
TO the contrary. These little peculIarities
were talked Of and laughed at, but they
detracted not one iota from the respect
which Mrs. GladstOne's sterling qualities
have always cxtorte3 from eli who know
her. Her devotion t. her celebrated hus-
band has always been marked. He was
not q great man ut the time of their mar
r.age; ihe son OF a manufacturer. although
young man Of extraordinary promise he
was hardly the social eQpai Of the barouet's
daughter, the cous.n OF dukes and the
woman of ancient origin. Her fortune and
her family indeed nave been Of decided
service 10 the statesman who has no
faculty of making or saving money. The
| late Dean Stanley told the writer that he
and Mrs. Gladstone We're schoolsnates
and that the future finance min
lister always stood low IN his class
in mathematics. Fer thar matter AIRS.
Gladstone was - bad as her spouse. They
were forced nj one time 10 give up their
town house IN Carlton Gardens and take
f}r less expeasiye one IN Harley street,
and at another 10 sell Mr. Giadstone's
collection oi porcelain, OF which be Was
very Vroud. To- ne IS virtuosn Hawar-
den Castle was his home long before il
| became the p-0perty Of Mrs Glad.
stone, snt all her connections were al
| taclei 70 their great kiasTnan, even when
Their politics were different. Many. how
ever, followed als political fortunes: he
haA he son %. = duke IOr his secretary
wao had married Mrs. Gladslone's niece,
ana her t~egAer-,n-iaN. Lopi Lyitieton, =
brilliant scao3s- - we'll as statesman, Was
/ the intimate friend ~ the foGc-l.Ines pre-
/ m e-.
The close attendance Of tho row white.
haired lady upon her octogeu arIan has
band has teCoDe almost an historic fac.
If later years. One need a1t recount how
Ale has followed him in al his political
toarS. how she has been present az his
speeches IL parliament ara 81 the hust-
t1gs, has mEtAeG AS throzt in the train or
sss open Carriage, ana sseeteasd his