The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-06-02

as carly as 1sg; he subsequently held
great variety OF Offices under the Govern
meut. including the Office Of Chancellor
of the Exchequer. He was Premier TOT
the first time as successor 10 Disraeh III
1N,e and for the second time in lsso. ana
for the. third I'm 1856. and for the last time
from 1892 TO 1894. when he resigned. ne
has been the author Of many books, th'"-
logical. classical. and political.
Bismarck's career has been less varied
In iSi9 he was chosen member OF me
second Chamber of the Prussian Diet; ne
was subsequently Prussian Ambassador
TO 81. Petersburg and to Paris. Prussian
Minister OF Foreign Ahairs, ana MANY
I'm 1871. Chancellor OF the German empire
which he held until he was relieved ny
the present Kaiser
OF the three octogenarians, the Pope Is
the one who possesses the most amiaoie
and kindly disposition; Gladstone Is
man of warm temper. which Is apt to
become hot when he Is aroused. Bis
marck is parsonage OF exceeding irasci-
bility. which characteristic. however. ac-
cording to all accounts. has become great
Is modified since his fall from power.
The Pope Is the most eminent Cathohc
scholar and theologian Of his time; Glad
stone Is a man Of vast and varied learn
ing: Bismarck has made no mark upon
the age outside Of statecraft.
The Popes activity in the business OF
the Church Is ceaseless. He keeps watch
of his charge I'm every country; he re-
ceives and holds intercourse with pre-
latcs. priests. and other visitors from all
parts OF the world, he composes ency-
clicals upon many subjects he labor in
cessantly for the unihcation OF ChrIsten-
ha oil tf- lttffac 10, nal n
ner ut once precise and vigilant. Glad
stone, though retired from office, is busy
with one thing or another every day or
his lie He is engaged at literary labor.
he travels at home and abroad, he keeps
an eye upon the affairs of Church and
State: he gives utterance TO his views
upon public questions and retains his
interest In them. his powers seem TO be
in excellent order he takes the greatest
enjoyment In life and action. He may
yet again be heard in Parliament Bis
inarck, the youngest Of the three octo-
genarians has passed into retirement
for the remainder Of his existence. lie
himself has told within the past few
weeks. of the effort he had TO make to
take part in the celebration of his eigh-
tierh birthday and 70 receive the many
delegations which have waited upon him.
His participation in the ceremonies has
been a hard trial for him. his speeches
TO the delegations have been very labor
ious and short; and 1t has frequently been
necessary that he should receive the help
Of his friends while moving about
Gladstones thoughtful, careful. and
venerable wife lives to cheer his years
IT WAS but recently that Bismarck be-
came a widower: the Supreme Pontifi
never marries.
There are often reports about each one
OF the three octogenarians that his death
is at hand. but at least two OF them arr
ceaselessly busy. and only one Of them
talks gloomily. 1t would seem that the
Pope is never kept from his duties by
the condition of his health. IL is certain
that Gladstone's occasional ailments are
but OF short duration. Bismarcks frame
has been more seriously shaken than
that Of either Of his two contemporaries
Yet It were idle TO speculate upon the
prospects OF life for any one of the three
II may be that the oldest Of them vii
outliye the youngest.
IL is not In every age of the world tha
three such octogenarans as those here
spoken OF are seen. 10 Is not often that
three veterans OF their dlstinctiVenes.
OF character hold such places in the worl'
as they have held Independently
There have been but few instances II
which a Pope Of the years Of Leo Xiii
has been as active as he is. Gladstone
IS without a parallel in British annals
Bismarck IS without a rival I'm the past
as he was the first Chancellor of the eN
istinC German empire.
The three octogcnaiians must occupy
a large place in the political and ecclesi
astical history OF the nineteenth cen
tury.