Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-09

old liberal chief. 1.-The Temple Of Peace, " Mr..
Gladstone's study, has been the scene of many
councils Of war-war upon injustice and wrong
doing committed for centuries in the name of
law.
Mr.. Gladstones life at Hawarden has ALWAYS
been simple to the last degree. Abstemious in
habits and fond Of outdoor exercise, these
things have doubtless had much to do in con-
serving that wonderful vitality which is as
characteristic Of him in his eighty-third year as
1t is Of many men at fifty. He has afforded as
striking examples of physical prowess in the
leveling Of Hawarden oaks he has Of mental
and moral prowess in the sweeping away of abuses
in parliament. He is strongly and even emo
tionai!y religious. Speaking of injustice to
Mr.. Bradlaugh, he once said on the floor of the
house Of commons: "When people see the pro-
fession of religion and the interests Of religion
ostensibly associated with what they are deeply
convinced is injustice, 1t leads to questions
about religion itself which commonly end in
impairing these convictions and that belief,
the loss Of which believe to be the most mex
pressible calamity which can fall either upon a
man a nation"
As illustrating the versatility and breadth of
knowledge Of this remarkable man an anecdote
Is told which will bear repetition. Two per-
sonal friends Of Mr.. Gladstone once laid plan
to amuse themselves and play joke upon him
They were to discuss in his presence some sub
ject Of which he might be presumed to be
ignorant, and then, having pretended to dis
agree decidedly, to appeal to Mr.. Gladstone to
settle the point. The fun was to come when he
was forced to confess that there was one sub
ject which he had not studied.
This plan they carried ont; but it was not so
easy to find the topic on which Mr.. Gladstone
must confess himself '.stumped." At last there
was discovered in an old newspaper an article on
Chinese chess. The description of the game
had been copied from well-known magazine
This seemed promising The conspirators
studied the article assiduously until they had
become thoroughly familiar with it. Then
they waited for their opportunity. It came
when they were invited to a dinner where Mr..
Gladstone was to be present. Seated one on
each side Of their intended victim by arrange
ment with their hostess, they began to put
their scheme into operation.
Mr.. Gladstone had maintained his reputation
throughout the evening for being thoroughly
acquainted with not only the leading questions
OF the day, but every subject which had been
thus far introduced by those around him. His
nsighbors on either side began to discuss games
OF skill and chance generally. Every few
minutes one or the other would appeal to Mr..
Gladstone to clear up some particularly COM
plicated point or disputed question. Between
them they skillfully led the conversation up to
Chinese chess and soon found opportunity to
argue somewhat warmly in regard to q certain
matter connected with the game.
They had studied the article so closely that
they repeated much of it almost verbatim. Mr..
Gladstone seemed interested, but said nothing.
The two jokers, inwardly congratulating them
selves for their success, continued the converse
ton with more animation than ever. The host,
who had been taken into the secret, was an
amused spectator of what he thought was his
honored guests embarrassment.
When they had finished their mock battle,
Mr.. Gladstone took sip of coffee, replaced the
cup in the saucer and remarked pleasantly:
Gentlemen, observe that you have been read
ing an article on Chinese chess which wrote
some years ago!''
Such Il the man who can meet his Creator
with noble record Of noble work most nobly
performed. Such is the man whom Mr.. Joseph
Chamberlain now characterizes az $50 ridicu-
lously stupidr' Such is the man who now, in
his eighty-third year, asks bis countrymen for
the opportunity of undoing, In some measure,
centuries Of British injustice to Ireland, to
Pluck from her memory rooted sorrow,
And rsss the written troubles from her brain"
What added luster that achievement win
bring to his name-what o monument to his
singloness Of purpose IL will be--what life in
death when the grave closes over him and
millions Of grateful hearts embalm his memory
Tn their gratitude! Wen may there then be
duplicated the inscription on Sir Isaac Newton q
monument In Westminster Abbey, How much
reason mortals have to pride themselves In the
existence Of such and 20 great an ornament to
the human race" Francis ]. O'NllI.