The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-12


Had William Ewart Gladstone lived
through this year, he and his wife
would have celebrated their sixtieth
wedding anniversary together. their
marriage having taken place &C
Hawarden in 1859, at which time Mrs
Gladstone was nearly 30 years old.
Mrs. Gladstone $ entire life has been
passed in the pretty village Of Hawar-
den. as she did not consider her resi-
dence in London q be really living,
| but merely a concession to duties OF
state. She was born In Hawarden
castle. which belonged to her father.
Sir Steven Glynne. a baronet of fine
Iold family. Her mother. a daughter
tof Lord Brabrooke. was a woman OF
I remarkable force OF character. so
clearly demonstrated In her training
| OF the two boys and two girls, in which
task she had no assistance. as Sir
Steven died when HIS eldest child was
about s years old. Soon after her
brother. the Honorable George Neville.
became rector OF Hawarden parish.
which had the reputation OF being
one Of the worst districts In England.
and he and Lady Glynne set e~nergeti-
cally to work To reform the rustics.
Schools were opened and the parents
bribed 10 attend.
Presents OF tea. sugar, clothing and
toys were the forms taken by these
"encouragements," and the two little
girls accompanied their mother con-
stantly on these philanthropic expedi-
tons. Neither ever lost their interest
in poorer humanity. even when mar
ried and claimed by the duties OF ex-
ceptional social positions.
The two sisters were married on the
same day, the youngest becoming the
wife Of Lord Lyttleton. Mr.. Gladstone
sympathized heartily with his wife's
| views and helped her plans in every
way. The Newport Market Refuge
and Industrial school at Westminster
was his idea, and he was its president
for many years, with Mrs. Gladstone
as vice-president. The refuge is 10
help people who are out OF work and To
teach them useful trades when they
possess none. There is little red tape
about the institution, and during ev-
cry year about 13. 900 people receive n
nights lodging. about 10000 meals are
given and about 500 persons find m
ployment.
During the cholera epidemic in Lon
don, in 1866, Mrs. Gladstone establish
| ed a home for the little ones left or
phans. She later created a GONZALES
cents free home, which is now in a
lovely house in Essex, surrounded by
lawns and shrubery and with n forest
| close behind. Every year more than
| 1000 men. ome n children enjoy
l A. "a. ~ sIi. Bnn,sff,,1 home
An orphanage at Hawarden Is anoth-
er of Mrs. Gladstone's good works.
It was started in a very severe win
ter, when the poor were starving for
lack of work. Mr.. Gladstone gave oc-
cupation to as many men as he could,
in cutting ~footpaths through the
grounds and woods of Hawarden.
while Mrs. Gladstone gave shelter 10
their motherl SIS children in a large
house lent to hc~ by her brother. Sir
Steven Glvnne. When the pressure
Of that season relaxed the home be-
came an o~rphanage for boys who go 20
the village school until old enough TO
learn a trade, which is then taught
them.
In addition to these most helpful in
situations, Mrs. Gladstone-always
with her husbands aid and counsel
has helped to form and carry on al
most numberless others. For many
years-more than a quarter of a cen
tury-when in London, she also visit
ed the London hospital every Monday
morning.
Mrs. Gladstone Is said to have been
s%ingularly beautiful in youth, a claim
borne out by a picture Of her when a
girl, and is a gracious and lovely old
lady.-Chicago Record.