New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-05-21
A LIFE OF GLADSTONE.
JUSTIN McARTHTs TIMELY VOLUME

TIE STORY OF GLADsTONE's LIFE BY JUS ,gs
tin Mccarthy. Illustrated octave PIP XII 100
The Macmillan Company.
Mr. McCarthy's narrative Is only "memoire
pour servr." and will necessarily be superseded
by the official biography which Will IN due
course be prepared by Mr.. Gladstone's literary
executors. but Its publication In book form, on
it's completion in the pages of 1.-THE Outlook
was well advised. The very urgency OF the
present moment In which readers will wish TO
renew acquaintance with main facts rather than
N traverse a long career in detail, lends TO this
volume q special value. 1t Is a book OF eulogy.
Of course II think may take 1t for granted
saws our author that Mr.. Gladstone is the
greatest English statesman who has appeared
during the reign Of Queen Victoria" and even
il he had not had that indisputable fact TO take
as a point Of departure, II is plain that he is IN
love with his subject and would have celebrated
him from first to last In an admiring strain'
whether he felt Of his audience or not
Gordon and Majuba Hill are names over which
he passes with a jaunty confidence In his own
opinion that might perhaps shake the faith OF
acme Of his readers in his ability TO discuss
1udicially the black well as the red letter DAYS
In his heros career. This is not the time 10 re-
vive unhappy controversies, yet 1t Is Impossible
to avoid feeling Of protest against MI NC
E2rthYS
the abandonment of Gordon. and Of Gladstone's
personal position in the matter. to the ignorant
prejudice Of the man in the street" Many
critics OF Gladstone's Egyptian policy might be
found among more responsible observers
Neither has disapproval Of his course in the
Transyaal been confined to thoughtless men in
the street" But we mention these points IN
Mr. McCarthy's book merely in illustration OF
It's tenor This is popular sketch. we wouio
prefer to the lights and shadows more as
creety distributed IN even so ephemeral WORK.
but under present circumstances little preJu-
dice can do no permanent harm
Az a rapid. concise and intelligent though su-
nerf]cial survey Of q great career. this book is
Internationally successful 1t traces the an
cestry of Gladstone to its sources. and records
with admirable system the principal events OF
his life down to his retirement from the House
of Commons in 1894 Possibly the data relating
TO his earliest years. because the records OF the
latter are least familiar to the present genera
ton. will be most widely read. There is the
snecdote, for example. Of Sir John Gladstone in
the attitude of mentor to his boys. Nothing
was ever taken for granted between Sir John
Gladstone and his sons. He started and Kept
alive q constant succession Of arguments on
small topics and on large. His family circle ap-
pears to have been what the King OF Navarro IN
Shakespeare's play says his court shall be-a
little Academic Every lad was put on his met
tie to defend his own case or to damage the
case another 1t all done in the most
perfect good humor and with the full ana I'M
tagging enjoyment of those who took part in It,
A. Mr.. Mccarthy observes, this must have oeen
excellent preparation for Gladstone's exploits in
the Oxford Union and in the House OF Commons
It is interesting also to find opposite this pas
OF Of
presence. with something in the massive head
and in the statesmanlike poise propheuc OF the
sons noble demeanor.
Other notes on Gladstones boyhood are equally
s,enifcant The pig batting. which was time
honored custom at Elton, recurring on every Ash
Wednesday, aroused his anger to such a pitch
that when his comrades ridiculed his humani-
tartan feeling he promptly offered ito write
his reply In good round hand upon their faces
The defender Of the Bulgarians and the support
er Of many another pathetic cause speaks in
those boyish words Of defiance. Many more
brief bits OF personalia go TO make Mr. NC
Carthy's mosaic. and nearly all are quotable
Some he gives US from Mr.. Gladstone's own lips.
as. for example, this dcliverance on O'Conners
principal characteristic. Il think" said Glad
stone, "O'Connell's principal characteristic was
a passion for philanthropy" A further citation
declining years and the position which he main
tanned to the end concerning the Home Rule
question. Abiding to his last interview with
Mr. Gladstone the author says: "He expressed
to me over and again his absolute convic
ton that the cause of Home Rule for Ireland
was destined TO succeed, and before very long.
No measure he said. Of really national impor
tance which has passed by a safe majority
through the House Of Commons can ever be
long retarded by the resistance Of the House Of
Lords"
We need say no more. however. Of Mr.. Nc
Carthy's personal recollections beyond pointing
out that by freely drawing upon them he has
diversified and lightened his narrative. giving to
what would otherwise have been bald state
ment of facts the iexibility and the popular
note which 1t was evidently his chief intention
10 secure The book has been expanded 70 re-
ceive copious illustration. the gallery of por-
traits including not only representation Of Mr..
Gladstone at various periods. but an imposing
array Of his political contemporaries. There are
also pictures Of buildings alluded TO In the text.
Good presswork has been lavished upon the
book which has been bound. finally. between
covers perhaps q shade too decorative and gor-
xeous