The herald., 1898-05-20
FOB THE DEATH OF TIE GREAT
,sTATEsMAx
A NATIONAL FUNERAL 4sKED
That All Englishmen May Fittingly
Express Their Regard for the
Memory Of Gladstone
Associated Press Special Wire


versed. Almost every court in Europe has
wired coincidence.
vice-President Hobart cables the Daily
Chronicle as follows:
mot even in his own country was Mr..
Gladstone more highly esteemed and ven-
Grated than in the United States. His death
has been we'll nigh q national calamity,
and 1t occurred at time when our people
are closely drawn together by the ties of
sympathy and mutual interests toward
the nation to which his long career Of pub
lie usefulness was so generously dedi-
Gated"
The body will be removed to the large
bedroom today (Friday) and placed in a
plain coffin surmounted by an oak cross.
extending the entire length of the lid. At
Its foot will be the inscription.
The date of the funeral has not been
fixed, but probably Tuesday will be chosen,
The preparations continue for a burial at
Hawarden. Up to last evening (Thurs-
day) the family had received no notice of
the national funeral which will be voted in
parliament today. The general opinion ia
voring an interment in Westminster Abb
bey. the family will probably give way to
the national request. Mr.. Gladstone did
not leave any wishes on the subject. Dean
Bradley of the abbey has selected al the
most suitable spot the nave.
Tolling the Bell
HAWARDEN, May 10, o a.m.-Though
the news Of Mr.. Gladstone's death, which
occurred at o'clock this morning, spread
rapidly, 1t was the tolling of the Ha-
warden church bell which carried the sad
tidings to every sorrowing home in this
vicinity Slowly the details of the last
moments Of the great statesman are
coming out of the castle, where the grief
is too profound to be intruded upon. The
family was summoned at a. M, owing to
the sinking noticed by the medical watch
ers. From that time until Mr.. Gladstone
peacefully passed away no one left the
death chamber. The only absentee was
little Dorothy Drew. who had tearfully
complained that her grandfather did not
recognize her. Even in that hour of agony
kindly thoughts for others were not want
ing. The old coachman who had been
unable to be present when the servants
bade farewell to the dying man, was sum-
moned and remained to the end with his
master. At S:20 am. DR.. Dobie took his
leave Of Mrs. Gladstone and returned to
Chester deeply affected. Indeed, almost
every one around the castle was in tears.
DR.. Dobie said he had been assisting DR..
Bliss and Henry Gladstone to draw UP a
statement Of Mr.. Gladstone's last hours,
which will shortly be ready.
England Mourning
LONDON, May 19.-The deepest mani
festations of grief are seen throughout the
country. Flags are half-masted, the bells
are tolling, shades are drawn and In the
public galleries here, the pictures Of Mr.
Gladstone have been draped with crepe
The Queen and the Prince Of Wales re-
ceived an early intimation Of the sad news
and Immediately sent touching expressions
of coincidence to the widow.
Further details from Hawarden Castle
Of the passing away of the great English
statesman show his end was the most
peaceful imaginable. There was no sign
of pain or distress. Mrs. Gladstone clasped
her husbands hand and occasionally kissed
it while the Rev. Stephen Gladstone read
prayers and repeated hymns.
The nurse in the meanwhile bathed the
brow Of the patient, who showed gratitude,
murmuring How NICE" Then came the
gentle, almost perceptible cessation of life
In the midst Of his sons prayer. The only
evidence that Mr.. Gladstone realized his
surroundings were when his son recited
the Litany. Then the dying man feebly
murmured amen" 1t was the last word
spoken by Mr.. Gladstone.
After his death. the weeping family
slowly filed from the room taking Mrs.
Gladstone, who was induced to lie down
and who soon slept quietly.
Mrs. Drew, Mrs. Henry Gladstone, Mrs.
Stephen Gladstone, Miss Helen Gladstone
and others attended early communion this
morning at Hawarden Church conducted
by Rev. Stephen Gladstone. The ordinary
service was prefaced with selected prayers
from the burial service. Many kilograms
Of sympathy are arriving at Hawarden.
President Faure has telegraphed his con-
dolence.
Hays Message
The following dispatch has been received
at Hawarden from United States Ambas-
sador Col. John Hay:
ITO the Rt. Hon. Herbert Gladstone:
beg to present to all your family my heart
felt expression of sympathy at your per-
sonal loss, at the same time to reverently
congratulate you and the English race
everywhere upon the glorious completion
of life filled with splendid achievements
and consecrated to the noblest purposes.
JOHN HAY"
Personal Tributes
LONDON, May 19.-Public opinion is pro-
foundly stirred by the death of Mr.. Glad
stone. A member of the Cabinet in the
course Of long interview said:
at is difficult to find words adequate
to express ones feelings at such an event.
The disappearance of such a central figure
Is tremendous loss. In Parliament and
throughout the country his influence over
our public life was unparalleled"
Lord George Hamilton said: What i'm
pressed me most in Mr. Gladstone was
his extraordinary moral influence, espec-
tally in converting the House Of Commons
to accept his home rule bill. Nothing but
his personal influence could have achieved
so much in the face of insuperable difficult
ties. I doubt whether there ever was
parliamentarian who equalled him in his
high standard. His dramatic aptitude and
quick adaptability as an orator made him
equal to any emergency"
Sir Charles Dixie, Radical member for the
Forest of Dean, said: "Mr. Gladstone's
leading personal characteristic was old
fashioned courtesy, while as a statesman,
It was his absolute mastery Of finance. both
In principle and detail, a mastery which
was Incompatible and superior to that OF
any of his contemporaries"
Mr.. Henry Labouchere. editor OF Truth,
n 49,