Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-06-06
Gladstone i'm Retirement.
HIS VIEWS AS TO TIE NEW WO-
MAN AND OTHER MATTERS
OF INTEREST.

MAN AND MATTERS
OF INTEREST.
81 should like so much,n | i'm
plored, "to hear how Mr.. Glad
stone passes his days-just the pro-
gramme of one of tho days which
telleth another" The Grand Old
Man smiled. And it is something to
have lived for, to have seen him
smile. 1t is as though a rare pOrce-
lain lamp were suddenly Illuminated
with a clear radiance within, so
white is the lIvid face, so brilliant
the deep-set eyes.
elf you are really good enough
to be interested in so small q thing,n
he said, {" it is easily told and in a
few words. During our trip abroad,
the physicians orders were merci-
less. Breakfast was to be taken in
bed at the late hour of half-past
eight. All necessity for such lazy
habit Of life has now passed away,
however. We rise about half-past
seven, attend morning service at the
village church, to which, as it is
scarcely a mile away, we usually
walk. After that we breakfast, al
though, / am ashamed to say, |
have sometimes of late felt the ne
cessity for a cup of tea or coffee,
which is kindly given me at the
rectOry, If | require it. | do no not
know that / would recommend the
habit, but l am myself very fond
Of reading book as dress in the
morning. 1t was thus that | read
a compile of months ago, the life of
Prof. Owen, with extreme enjoy
ment and profit. | have found my
pleasure in some attempts at literary
labor, and, therefore, | can scarcely
refer to it as work when | say that |
spend some hours before luncheon
in writing. / am at present engaged
upon new edition of Bishop But
Ter, who, to my mind, was one of
the noblest men and wisest writer's
who ever blessed the earth with his
influence. This work, If | 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 be
ready for publication, probably be-
fore my own can possibly see the
light, but do not for this reason al
low myself to he discouraged. /
shall persevere until the end is
reached"
"You sometimes read novels, do
you not, Mr.. Gladstone ?" one Of us
asked.
"Yes, / allow myself some light
reading usually each day, after din.
ner. / 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 Jubilees.' Both
seemed to me strong and able works
which ought to live, when many OF
their contemporaries are forgotten >
at is wonderful that you FIND
time to do so much" said, amazed
"Perhaps it is because he is Sc
punctual, and expects everybody
else to be sO," smiled Mrs. Glad
stone. He is always ready fol-
everything, and does everything
very quickly. For instance, he car
dress for dinner, quite fully, in les.
than FIVE minutes. | cannot myself
conceive how ne does, it, though
am not one to waste much time, no
to encourage others to waste it, OF
personal adornement."
81 wonder if we might dare t,
ask whether you ever glance at an,
Of the-er-pictoral representation
Of yourself in the newspapers ant
magazines ?" l asked, trembling.
"Caricatures, you mean," he said
smiling again. Well, you see, on
cannot do everything, especially 8,
: old man as /, and so, as | mus
give up something, l have Of lat,
years given up the newspapers al
most entirely. Even when / d,
make an exception to my genera
rule by reading one l find other sub
jects far more interesting than Wha
may have chanced to be said Of me
But / fear that Mrs. Gladstone doe
sometimes look to see how the Jour
nails haYe represented me. | think
at one time, she had even gone s,
far as to make small collection o
sketches, with what object | an
somewhat divided in opinion
However, l am quite sure that sh,
, has ceased so to amuse herself lon,
ago"
DO you ever go to the theatre
Mr.. Gladstone?" | asked.
, " seldom find myself equal to o
inclined for theatre-gOing of late
, but ! cannot go so far as to say tina
| have given it up. 1 confess, how
ever, that a quiet game of backgam
mon in the evening, when l hav
laid aside book, has for me grea
charm. 1t is game which cal
scarcely be excelled by any moderl
invention--as -assuredly not superse
: ded."
"Will you tell me what is you
: favorite study ?" 1 inquired, EN-
boldened by his good nature.