The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-12-23
CHRISTMAS At HAWARDEN.
How Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone Will Keep
the Holidays.
Fetes For the Children-Skating on the
Park Lake and Tea Parties Out of
Doors-Mrs. Gladstone's orphanage.

Park Lake and Tea Parties Out of
DOOrs-Mrs. Gladstone's orphanage.
Copyright.
London, Dec 13-There are few persons
of intelligence among all the English
speaking peoples who have not heard Of
Hawarden as the home of the great
statesman whose stupendous genius has
dominated almost every field of human
endeavor, and whose sympathy with ev-
cry movement and onward march of hui
manity knows no boundary of time or
nation. For over forty years this ancient
parish has gloried in being the country
home Of Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone. 1t had
been Mrs. Gladstone's home from child
hood till her marriage. Every inhabi-
tant was dear to her, and she was be-
loved by them all.
When she came back to live there with
her husband, he being a stateman of ris-
ing fame and eminence, the people of
Hawarden felt they no longer lived in an
unknown village. but they were linked
on from henceforth with all the greater
interests of the victorian age, and that
the glory of the name of Gladstone was
their glory also, a glory which should
I'VE in English history MIR. Gladstones
presence has been like liberal education
10 HaWarden, enlarging the horizon of
interest and knowledge to all who dwell
there.
Hawarden is very charming and very
dear to its inhabitants. and Mr.. and Mrs.
Gladstone are no exception in having
ms feeling of affection for the old place
Here they always spend Christmas in the
mast of their children, their friends and
heishbors. l wish l could in word-paint-
ing convey the vivid picture which rises
up In my own mind as memory begins to
play among happy remembrances.
AS the picture produces itself before my
mental Vision, it seems to be composed
more of the physical (the essence of
nappy influences) than what exactly
touches the senses. 1t is difficult to anal
We but nevertheless it is true that the
spirit which pervades the atmosphere,
ana lends a charm to the common en-
loyments of the season, is engendered
oy the personal lovabieness of the man
ana the woman who occupy the pre-
dominant place in the parish Their
ersonality is a force which blends loving
aIlnan sympathy with an individual hu-
H1lty in uncommon union.
mis- loving spirit fits in we'll with the
hought of the origin of Christmas. the
'ssnning of Christianity, the religion
OF he lowly. Thus there is no feeling of
acongruity here. All can join with true
maternal sympathy in the services of
the church and the social customs which
our country provides in honor of the
aay
Picture then a bright and beautiful
hlstmas day. with the trees and hedges
ana the graves around the old church
an glistening with sunshine. The old
church tower is ringing out a sweet hymn
une. Mr.. and Mrs. Gladstone and their
Emily are walking through the park to
pom the first congregation which gathers
IN the freshness of the early morning
IL worship him whose birth we COM
Inemcrate that day. While the peasant
ana the statesman kneel side by side in
II erect equality, the thought cannot
9a absent from any of US that we are
h members of one true family. This
n me keynote which any one spending
hrstmas with Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone
a"not fail to recognize. As the congre-
saOon leaves the church. "A happy
HIiStmas'' resounds on all sides. Hearty
7eungs and genial handskakings are
ne order of the day.
naWarden village stands on the first
A ur of the Welsh mountains of which
oeIIama is here the browning hight
ne view is splendid. The Vale Royal
chester is spread below, with the es-
-ary of the Dee. and the line of the
Jersey in the distance discernible by
ne smoke streaks on the horizon. The
Shled the kettle boils, and there is pleas
4 lmpromptu tea party, which is en-
~ ed with mirth and laughter Mr. Glad
4 one Is fun of pleasant stories and mem
aoIe sayings, and is the very life of the
party.
men one day in the week all the school
'N'ren have to be entertained. Hawar-
is an immense parish, the schools
very numerous, so some of the little
come long way. But they forget
que when they have been regaled
ith hearty tea, and the Christmas tree,
covered with lights and presents, meets
lelr eager eyes.