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

LONDON. April 9.--william Ewart CAD
stone has been q favorite subject with the
writer's OF newspaper and magazine srti-
cles, and an immense amount OF trolihlo
has been taken to make the reading rub
lie familiar with the habits and chaac-
ter.stics OF Englands grand old man. u
Is not possible, however, to exhaust tn
subject when so interesting q persons lty
as Gladstone's is in question. and 80 much
remains to be told. Here for the ina
time are related many features Of the per-
sonality OF the old man that have 70 far
escaped the searching attention Of the
literary fraternity, and which have l,een
obtained from those who are and lave
been close to the veteran statesman's side
during the declining years OF his faraoaa
life.
When the wear and tear OF public cireer
became too much for Gladstone ami 10
was forced to retire to the Quietude of
Harwarden Castle. 1t was NOT expscted
that the active life would be changed
at once for one OF complete rest. tilxd-
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 moro
time In bed in the light OF hardship. He
dressed. according to the assertion Of Ma
Gladstone. In five minutes, but this time
was probably statement prompted by
the fact that Mrs. Gladstone always found
her husband ahead OF her at tho break
fast table, no matter how much shs hur-
ried the arrangements OF her own toilet.
While dressing II was the habit Of Mr..
Gladstone to read book. and II y char
acteristic of the man that he thoroughly
enjoyed the books psrused under theso
odd circumstances. He would prop the
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 Of thu
mirror, and his busy mind grasping the
details OF both tasks in a manner that
no other man could successfully ACCOM-
plish.
After breakfast Mr.. Gladstone has been
accustomed to revel in what to him Ma
keen enjoyment--his Literary work. He
did most OF his writing between brcakfase
and luncheon. After luncheon. during the
period when he was the hale old man that
artists loved to depict clad in woodsmaffe
dress. he would sally forth ak In hand
to cut down some giant OF the Hawarden
Castle forest. that 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
bows, 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 se-
cure some of the chips that few befofo
the ak OF the distinguished woodsrnan.
As soon as Gladstone had retired, after
the fall Of the tree, there would be a rush
Of relic hunters, and the chips would
be eagerly gathered up as mementoes Of
the occasion. These chips were always
marketable relics. 1t Is sad to reflect
that 30 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 Ewaft
Gladstone, that never grew In the green
forests OF Hawarden. or forest within ,
hundred miles OF that picturesque spot
Apart from his beloved az Gladstone
had few faneies that were not Of the mCse
commonplace order. He loved backgam-
mon. In the opinion OF the old man there
was no game 10 equal X. and Il was ons
OF the chief delights OF his life to play .
quiet game In the retirement OF his own
room. when reading had become too great
a strain for eyes that were fast failing.
There have been few more pious men In
what was the most interesting study he
had ever undertaken, he answered un-s
hesitatingly. theology" His deep piefy
is shown by the following from his owa
pen, regarding the observance OF the Sab
bath:
THE service OF God In this world II ~
unceasing service. without interval or sus-
pense. But. under the conditions OF cur
physical. intellectual and social life, very
la - h.
performed within the area which ~ 90.
cupied by this world and its concerna
and within which every Christian grace
finds perpetual room for It's exercise. hue
for Its exercise under circumstances NOS
allowing the ordinary man. unless In ths
rarest cases. that nearness to access -
the things Of God. that dIrectness OF A.
sanitation TO the divine life. which b.
longs TO a day consecrated 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 a vsneysfd
seated on a very fruitful hill. and have
fenced II i,r -ith this privilege. that
whereas for our six days work the gsBs
eral rule OF direct contract must for tho
mass OF men be with REGULAR affairs. wifns
In this happy precinct there IL providads
even for that came mass or men, char
tered emancipation: and the general RUE
is reversed In favor Of a direct contAcs
with spiritual things"
Gladstone was a bonanza FOR the book
men Of his native land. II r. a fact fhat
one day he entered the establishment %
q London dealer In second hand books
and. when asked by the deferential store
keeper what books he would Ike to sees
sad with a sweep OF his arm that too
I'm the entlre stock. Send mo those.' ~
had bought the entire store. When BIZ
library became so overstocked thar =
found IL necessary 20 weed out some W.
umes. II was Giadstone's custom 10 Eene
the surplus 20 the second hand dsal@.
from whom he frequently bought ths
back again az advanced prices under tn
impression that ne was obtaining yolumeS