The Cook County herald. [volume] (Grand Marais, Minn.) 1893-1909, 1898-01-08

oASA*A a. YA0yNA0s9t ~
Every evening at seven o'clock the
venerable statesman walks through the
grove that surrounds his mansion to
the little parish church Of Hawarden,
of which his son Stephen is. vicar, and
prays for the queen. the prince, of
Wales, the ministry, the two houses Of
parliament, and all others in authority,
and makes the responsesin deep tone
OF voice that can BE heard by all the
congregation. If Rev. Stephen isn't
there Mr.. Gladstone reads the service
himself zs
The little chapel, which is very ugly
in appearance outside but beautiful
within, is half filed with his servants
and pious villagers, and there are usual
~ number OF strangers who find out
at Chester, as we did, that this is the
best time to see him.. He doesn't mind
meeting strangers, and has become
used to having them remain at. the
church door to shake hands with him
as he passes out. In fact, he rather ex-
poets them to show him that mark, of
respect. .,=-:s>.:<-Slsz.* -,
+ But he is very careful whom he ad-
mits to his home these days, for he does
not Like to have his rest and recreation:
disturbed. If = stranger wishes to call
upon him it is customary to write a.
note asking the privilege, and by re-:
turn mail his secretary will send a re-
ply saying that Mr.. Gladstone regrets
that his strength or his engagements
will not permit him to indulge. etc.;
or it he feels in the humor for society.
he will name an hour and receive you.
But it often requires three or four days
to accomplish the act OF courtesy.
The beautiful park at Hawarden,
with 500 acres Of majestic trees, and the
ruins OF the old castle are open every
day for the enjoyment of the public,
and picnic parties come from Chester
and railway excursions from the neigh
boring country for 100 miles around to:
enjoy Mr.. Gladstone's hospitality. The
mansion is surrounded by a high stonei
wall to protect the family from intru-.
sion, but when he feels particularlywell
the old gentleman takes pleasure in
showing himself to the excursionists,
and often makes q little speech lie,
other day a choir from q church IN one
of the neighboring towns Of Wales
came over for q holiday and serenaded
him. He appeared upon the wall short
lyafter the singing began, and, after
listening to two or three selections.
called the party around him and in a
patriarchal way told them oil. the influs
ence of music upon the human mind. Is /
Then he asked them to sing CARDINAL
Newman's latest hymn, LEAD, Kindly
Light, and thanked them forthe pleas
ure he had enjoyed. He will not discuss
politics or any Live topic either in pub
lie or private without PREPARATION II
he has anything to say upon subjects
that are occupying the attention OF the
people, he dictates letter to some &C.
quaintance and gives it to the press: s.
Although he is over 81, he looks as
hearty as when I first saw him, Is wears
ago, and walks with . firm step. but
carries stiff buckthorns stick to lean
upon. He has not entirely abandoned
his habit OF housekeeping, but does
not indulge in it daily, as he formerly
did. His evening walk to the chapel and
strol.s around his garden are sufficient
exercise for his aged limbs. s s.. e
The little village Of Hawarden is very
old. It dates back to the Roman ocscii-
patton, but is only q little streetextend-
ing perhaps a quarter Of a mile. There
is . schoolhouse in the churchyard, an
inn, the proprietor Of which is ..licensed
to sell spirits, malt Liquors and tobacco.
to be consumed on the premises" a
general store and q blacksmith shop.
and most of the residents have placed
temporary stands in front OF their
dwellings from which they supply re-
freshments to the .excursionists that
come almost daily.-W. F.. Curtis, In
Chicago Record. 'ss .