The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-05-19
THE DOMESTIC LIFE
OF GLADSTONE.

LONDON. April 9.-WIlliam Ewart Glad.
stone has been a fayorite subject with the
writers of newspaper and magazine arti-
Giles, and an immense amount OF troubie
has been taken to make the reading pub
lie familiar with the habits and charac-
ter.siics of Englands grand old man. It
Is not possible, however, 10 exhaust the
subject when so interesting a personality
as Gladstone's Is in question. and so much
remains TO be tod. Here for the first
time are related many features Of the per-
sonality Of the old man that have 30 far
escaped the searching attention OF the
literary fraternity. and which have been
obtained from those who are and have
been close to the veteran statesman's side
during the declining years OF his famous
life.
When the wear and tear of public career
became too much for Gladstone and he
was forced to retire to the Quietude Of
Harwarden Castle, 1t was not expected
that the active life would be changed
at once for one OF complete rest. Glad
stone resting" was an example to many
men who would feel much offended II con-
sidered other than industrious.
Gladstone's hour for rising has always
been half past seven. unless the doctor
otherwise ordered, and In that event the
grand old man considered the edict Of
his physician that he must pass more
time in bed in the light OF hardship. He
dressed, according to the assertion Of Mrs.
Gladstone. In FIVE minutes. but this time
was probably a statement prompted by
the fact that Mrs. Gladstone always found
her husband ahead OF her at the break
fast table, no matter how much she hur-
ried the arrangements OF her own toilet.
While dressing 1t was the habit OF Mr..
Gladstone TO read q book, and II u char.
acteristic of the man that he thoroughly
enjoyed the books perused under these
odd circumstances. He would prop tbs
volume up on the dressing table. and.
while apparently engaged In his toilet.
would be mechanically fixing his apparel
with his eyes on the book instead q the
mirror, and his busy mind graspinG the
details OF both tasks IN mannef nat
no other man could successfully ACCOM-
p'ish.
After breakfast Mr.. Gladstone has been
accustomed TO revel In what to him Vas
keen enJoyment-his literary work. He
did most OF his writing between breakfas
and luncheon. After luncheon. during the
period when he was the hale old man that
artists loved TO depict clad in woodsmau's
dress, he would sally forth AK in hand
TO cut down some giant OF the Hawardeu
Castle forest. tsiat had threatened to tres
pass upon the light and air OF trees that
were more worthy OF the space. This
trespasser he would attack with vigorous
blows and then there would gather around
him the visitors who were always haunt
ing the vicinity OF Hawarden. In hopes
OF being present at just such an expedi-
ton.
The ambition Of the visitors was to Sc
cure some of the chips that few before
the ak OF the distinguished woodsman.
~. -
the fall of the tree, there would be a rush
OF relic hunters. and the chips would
~ eagerly gathered up as memantoes OF
the occasion. These chips were always
relics. II Is sad TO reflect
that 20 many homes In Merry England
are adorned with sections of tree trunk.
ticketed with legend to the effect that
they fell before the ak OF William Ewart
that never grew in the green
forests Of Hawarden. or forest within
hundred miles OF that picturesque spot.
Apart from his beloved ak GIadstons
had few fancies that were not OF the most
order. He loved hackgam-
mon. In the opinion Of tho old man there
was no game To equal IL. and 1t was ons
OF the chief delights OF his life to play .
quiet game In the retirement OF his own
foon. when reading had become too great
a strain for eyes that were fast failing.
There have been few more pious men In
the world than Gladstone. When asked
what was the most interesting study hs
had ever undertaken, he answered un-
hesitatingiy. theology" His deep pIety
Is shown by the following from his own
pen. regarding the observance Of the Sab
bath.
1.-THE service OF God I'm this world IL an
unceasng service. without interval or sus-
pense. But, under the conditions Of cur
physical. intellectual and social life. very
large portion OF that service is necessarily
performed within the area which II oc-
cupied by this world and ifs concerna.
and within which every Christian grace
ffDds perpetual room for It's exercise: but
for Its exercise under circumstances NOS
allowing the ordinary man. unless In the
rarest cases. that nearness TO access 10
the things OF God tina, directness OF as
sim!lation to the divine life. which be.
longs 10 A day consscrated by spiritual
service. So the grace and compassion Of
our Lord have rescued from the open
ground OF worldly life a portion of that
area and have made upon II vineyard
seated on a very fruitful hill. and have
fenced IL in with this privilege. that.
whereas for our six days work the gen~
eral rule OF direct contract must for tbs
mass Of men be with secular affairs with
in this happy precinct there IL provfdeds
even for that same mass OF men. a char
tered emancipation; and the general RUS
Is reversed in favor of a direct contacs
with spiritual things"
Gladstone was a bonanza for the book
men OF hts native land. IL In fact thar
one day ne entered the establishment OF
London dealer In second hand books
and. when asked by the deferentiaI store
keeper what books he would Ike 10 see.
sad with a sweep of hts arm that tocs
In thu entire stock. send me those" he
had bought the entire store. When az
library became so ovsrstocked thar y
found II necessary 10 weed out some soss
umes IL was Giadsione's custom 10 seno
the surplus 20 the second hama dealers
from whom he frequently bought tnsm
hack again at advanced prices. under tne
impression that he was obtaining voIums
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