New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-05
ENGLAND AND GLADSTONE.
FAMOUS OLD MEN-MR. GLADSTONE
FAVORITT LONDON HOUSE-UNDER-
TONES OF PARTISANSHIP.
London, May y.


One Of the most impressive episodes OF the
Gladstone Sunday. when all England seemed &c
stand in reverent homage in every place OF wor-
ship where the Dead March" from "Saul' couio
be played was the presence Of DR.. james Maru-
neau at Unity Church. Islington lie Is the
oldest Of the famous men in England. having
been born in 1905 and having been preacher
theoos1an and writer SINCE 1S2S. The weight
OF ninety-three years did not prevent his attend
ance at a service where the Rev. DR.. Hicks
paid suitable tribute to the character and
career of Mr.. Gladstone: and when the solemn
strains Of the Dead March" were heard the
veteran was on his feet erect and vigorous but
tremulous with emotion. Not until the last ui-
umphant note sounded would he consen, to take
his seat No other eminent Enshshman mas
learned equally vel what Mr. Gladstone de-
scrbed as the secret Of longevity: STREET regu-
larity of life. hard work and plain living"
The Father OF the Commons, Charles Pelham
viers, died four months ago at the advanced
age of i;nety-six and tomorrow another Parma
mentary veteran, Spencer WApole. who had
nearly reached the age OF nine:y-two. Will oe
followed to his grave at Ealing He had been
Home Secretary three times and renamed
sterr. unAinching Tory TO the end OF his life
Mr. Gladstone Only two or three famous vet
Grams in the ninetes now remain. enc Is Lore
Mansfield. who was born in 1S0G and was Lord
of the Treasury in Sir Robert Peers admins
tration. Another is Thomas Sdrey Cooper the
veteran Academic!an. who will be rinety-hve
years Of age next September He is still al
work with old time energy. Four OF his paint
ings are now on the walls Of the Academy in the
spring exhibition
One of the most pathetic incidents Of old age
in connection with MI Gladstones death is mar
rated from Liverpool on the opposite side o!
the Dec from Hawarden an old man was dying
Of generous complaint similar to the one
from which the famous Englishman had been
suffering A window in his house commanded
a distant view Of Hawarden Castle, and his at
tendan,s, in order to humor sick mans fancy
n,aced his bed where he could sec the tower OF
the rambling mansion. He did not know Mr.
Gladstone but he associated himself with him in
afiiction and bodily pain. probably on the prin
ciple that misery loves companionship. Nothing
comforted him so much as the distant glimpse
Of Hawarden. At last there came day wher
he learned that he had los his companion in
suffering and that the grca: light which had
been shining in the Castle for the illumination
of a svmpathetic world had burned low In the
socket and gone out. The Old man was over
come with a sense OF loneliness and despair. He
could still see the Castle tower. but the sense
Of companionship which had helped him to bear
his own burdens had gone.
The London house which is most closely as
ISOLATED with MI Glad5tones memory is the
official residence Of the Prime Minister. and it Is
not likely to stand but will be pulled down IL
sfai nj cd
Downing st. received its name from one OF the
Loyalist supporters at the time Of the Restora
ton. Sir Charles Downing received a baronetcy
and became Secretary 10 the Treasury in the
reign of Charles H. Whether the house No. /,
Downing-st was built BY his orders is disputed
but early in the eighteenth century it passed
into the possession OF the Crown. 1t was the
residence of Baron Bothmar. the Hanoveriar
Minister, and was subsequently placed at the
disposal Of Sir Robert Walpoe. who accepted
il with the understanding that it should become
the Official residence Of the Prime Minister
From Sir Robert Walpolcs time Downing st
became famous throughout the world by reason
Of this old brick house. II is on unpre,cn,ious
time stained mansion. with several large rooms
One OF these is cOuncil-chamber with four
heavy columns and booklined walls.
Successive Prime Ministers have lived in this
house but few Of them have liked it or found II
a suitable residence. The younger Pit was one
OF the exceptions. He did not consider It a
gloomy place but was strongly attached to II
as the scene Of his greatest labors and tr.umphs
Lord Beaconsheds imagination was also fas-
cinated by the stately traditions OF the house
and he was content to live there. Mr. Gladstone
always felt at home there. and held many Cabi-
net Councils under its roof while ne Prime