The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-25

The late Mr. Gladstone, It must be re-
membered,, was the youngest or lour
sons. who each OF them married ana hto
large families OF children Curlously
enough. all tho nephews have died OF
vvitbout Leaving any male issue. Sir
John. as stated above, the only son or
the late Mr.. Gladstone's eldest brother
IS a confirmed bachelor Inc Grana
old Mans second brother Robertson
had no less than six sons all Oh "hoIa
have died off without leaving issue save
one, named Richard, who, ike DIT Johh'
IS a confirmed bachelor
The third and sailor brother OF the
great statesman left at his oeath one.
son. who has a family Of nothing but
daughters, and after that next IN sue
cession 10 the bar0netcy comes Souns
William Glynne Gladstone VINO mas JUST
inherited Hawarden. The bow Will there-
fore, eventually possess, in adul1loh 10
Hawarden. with its $4,000 d year. the
baronetcy and the Scotch estates ana dis
tnleries Of basque, which yield an income
Of some $4,000 a year, so that Dy the
time he attains a marriagcnDie age ne
will I've become, with his name, MS
title, his property. and his income, a
very desirable paru.
In none OF the obituaries or Mr.. Glad-
stone has the fact been mentioned that
not only was ne a playwright, but that
at one moment he seriously considered
going on the stage as professional act
or for the sake Of living. lie was
10 such an extent stagestTuck IN MS youth
that he consulted the famous actor Mac
ready respecting his chance or success
in the dramatic profession. inc traseolan
Is reported 10 have accorded a 1aNoraple
opinion to him.
But subsequently Mr.. Gladstone was In
duced 10 abandon his intention in that
direction by the advice Of his friend
Lord Stanley. afterwards fou-t zenith
Earl Of Derby, so celebrated as rime
Minister ard as the most succsa sui
translator Of the works Of Homer.
OF course the entreaties of Mr. Ga d.
stones own relatives likewise weighed IN
the balance Of persuading him to chana
his plans. and thus the British stage was
deprived of a star that would certainly
have proved its most brilliant ornament.
For there is certainly no man on the I'm
glish-spo lking stage to-day or indeed has
been during the present century who has
been possessed Of so exquisitely melodious
a voice or of such perfect diction as the
Grand Old Man. The course of English
history during the past fifty years might
have been very different had Mr. Glad
stone become an actor.
There is an incident in the career OF
the grand old man which has given rise
70 a considerable amount OF misinterpre-
tat!on. and which for a considerable por-
ton Of the public life OF Mr. Gladstone
impaired his popularity and surrounded
his name with much unmerited odium.
One OF the most intimate friends Of MS
early married life was the then Lord Ln-
coin. who afterWard succeeded 10 Lle
dukedOm OF Newcastle and was the
grandfather Of the present Duke or that
TX. Lord Lincoln and Gladstone assocl-
ated together in Parliament. IN the Cow
eminent administrator IN their tastes,
and social pursuits. and ancordlngF.
when Lady Lincoln eioped In the eafy
part of the hfties with the late Earl on.
oxford. Lincoln appealed IN his distress
The latter. intent only on helping bis
friend. followed the fugitive couple on 10
the Continent. with the OBJECT OF lhruc-
ing Lady Lincoln 20 return 90 her nus
hand who was ready % forgive every
hing. He ran them 10 earth IN VIA
M Lake Como. where they were living
under the assumed name OF Lawrence
nut Mr. Gladstone failed I'm his delicate
negotiations and afterward he ascertalned
that she had given birth there 10 a son
who could not possibly nave pceh tne
oGsnring OF her husband. ana VINO vas
registered by the name OF horace me
noie-that Is % say the Christian name
md patronymic Of the companion or ner
srhe divorce court did not exist in those
dovs and accordingly Lord Lincoln. IN
order 10 obtain n dissolution OF ms ma
ria0e was compelled 20 apply 70 me
49, 49,, - ,o~ds which granted tito him
on the strength Of the evidence OF MT
Gladstone. -... .toreor
The latter was tn consequene,e tn l.',.e5
,r,roed most untustly with having piayea
~. 10 5,et mora Mo rolo ~ nrivo'e dei"c-
tive 10 help bring about the ruin OF his
fr,end,s wife whereas his only object in
following her had been to induce her 10
return TO her husband and to her DUTY
Narquise de Fontenoy ia Washington
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