Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-05-14
GLADSTONE IN RETIREMENT.

GLADSTONE IN RETIREMENT.
His Views as to the New Woman and
Other Matters of Interest.
From the Boston Evening Transcript.
Il should like so much,'' 1 implored, etc
hear how Mr. Gladstone passes his days
just the program of one of the days which
telleth another" The Grand Old Mar
smiled. And it is something to have Hvei
for, to have seen him smile. 1t is as though
a rare porcelain lamp were suddenly illu
minated with clear radiance within, sc
white is the livid face, so brilliant the
deep-set eyes.
IF you are really good enough to be in.
terested in so small thing" he said, ''it
is easily told, and in a few words. During
our trip abroad, the physicians orders
were merciless. Breakfast was to be taker
in bed at the late hour of half-past eight
All necessity for such a lazy habit of life
has now passed away, however. We rise
about half-past seven, attend morning ser.
vice at the village church, to which, as ii
is scarcely mile away, We usually walk
After that We breakfast, although, 1 am
ashamed to say, L have sometimes of late
felt the necessity for cup of tea or coffee
which is kindly given me at the rectory, II
1 require it. 1 do not know that 1 would
recommend the habit, but am myself very
fond of reading a book as 1 dress in the
morning. 1t was thus that 1 read, cou.
pie Of months ago, the life of Prof. Owen
with extreme enjoyment and profit. 1 have
found my pleasure in some attempts al
literary labor, and, therefore, / can scarce
ly refer to it as work when say that
spend some hours before luncheon in writ
ing. l am at present engaged upon a new
edition of Bishop Butler, who. to my mind
was one of the noblest men and wisest
writers who ever blessed the earth with his
influence. This work, If 1 must call it SO
has frightened my few holidays for the
past ten years. have heard that another
book on much the same lines will soon he
ready for publication, probably before my
own can possibly see the light, but / dc
not for this reason allow myself to be dis
couraged. shall persevere until the end
is reached"
You sometimes read novels, do you not,
Mr.. Gladstone?" one of us asked.
Eyes. I allow myself some light reading
usually each day, after dinner. l think the
two, perhaps which have seemed to me
the most worthy Of reflection during the
past year have been Esther Waters and
The Year of Jubllees.' Both seemed to me
live, when many of their contemporaries
are forgotten"
1T is wonderful that you find time to do
SO MUCH said, amazed.
Perhaps it is because he is so punctual.
and expects everybody else to be So"
smiled Mrs. Gladstone. He is always
ready for everything, and does everything
very quickly. For instance, he can dress
for dinner, quite fully. in less than five
minutes. I cannot myself conceive how he
does it, though am not one to waste much
time, or encourage others to waste it, on
personal adornment."
II wonder if we might dare to ask wheth-
er you ever glance at any of the-er-pic-
torial representations of yourself in the
newspapers and Magazines: 1 asked,
trembling
"Caricatures. you mean" he said. smil-
ing again. Well, you see, one cannot do
everything, especially so old man as /,
and so, as 1 must give up, something. 1
have of late years given up the newspapers
almost entirely. Even when do make an
exception to my general rule by reading
one, find other subjects far more inter-
esting than what may have CHANGED to be
said of me. But fear that Mrs. Gladstone
does sometimes look to see how the jour-
nails have represented me. I think, at one
time, she had even gone SO far as to make
object 1 am somewhat divided in opinion.
However, 1 am quite sure that she has
ceased so to amuse herself long ago"
do you ever go to the theater, Mr.. Glad
store?" 1 asked.
Il seldom find myself equal to or inclined
for theater-going Of late, but 1 cannot go
so far as to say that have given 1t up.
confess, however, that a quiet game OF
backgammon in the evening, when 1 have
laid aside a book, has for me great
charm. 1t is game which can scarcely be
excelled by any modern inventoE-assur-
edly not superseded"
VIII YOU tell me what is your favorite
study?" inquired, emboldened by his good
nature.
There are many answers which might
be tempted to give to such question:" re-
piled Mr.. Gladstone; yet the one which i
would regard afterward with the most sat
isfaction would be-theology. 1t has been
the study of my life, though / am at
eighty-five but on the threshold. as a
learner. Over that threshold 1 may only
pass with DEATH"
I was wondering. knowing what lir-
gust Mr.. Gladstone is, whether he would
not mention the study of languages. But
evidently he did not care to rank II with
theology. And SO, without questioning him
further on that subject. ventured hastily
to ask what was his opinion of the New
Woman" and the stir she is creating in tho
world.
II am too old a man." he returned. ito
have an opinion Of any kind on the New
Woman as / consider that the exponent
of certain doctrines is enormously styled.
My ideal woman has not altered in the past
three score years and ten, and may affirm
positively that it is not probable she viii
do so in the time that is left"