The record-union., 1898-05-22
ANECDOTES OF GLADSTONE.

1t was John Bright who is said to
have applied the epithet, THE Grand
Old Man." to Gladstone, in a speech at
Northampton in 1882 Since that time
1t has become exceedingly popular as
term Of respectful familiarity from his
friends and Of derision to his opponents.
The latter were fond of translating its
abbreviated form of &c. o. NJ. into
Gods Only Mistake" The epithet was
original with John Bright, if at all,
only in its special application. The ad-
5ectives, in fact, seemed to suggest
themselves. Milton speaks Of the
grand old ballad of Sir Patrick Spens
Charlotte Bronte, in letter written in
1850 and quoted in Mrs. Gaskell's
Life" describes the Duke of Welliag-
ton as a real Grand Old Man" Long
fellow, in his translation Of the Infer
no" (canto xiv, p. 46, line 1913, writes:
A grand old man stands in the mount
erect
Who holds his shoulders turned tow'rds
And looks at Rome as if it. were his mir
rOr.
In Mr. Gladstone's nature gravity and
earnestness are allied with strong
.emper, kept, however, in sterr control.
He has a great capacity for generous
Indignation, and when he is aflame with
IL the hawklike features become more
strongly accented, the onyx eyes flash
and glow. the voice grows resonant, the
utterance emphatic. No one, it seems,
has ever tried but once to tell him an
anecdote depending for it's point upon
some trait of cynicism, baseness or
sharp practice. The tale was received
In grim and Disguised silence. DO you
call that amusing? 1 call it 1evilish"
was the comment with which a charac-
teristic story about Lord BeAconsfeld
was received by his rival.
In personal dealings, although quickly
aroused, Mr. Gladstone was placabie,
reasonable and always willing to hear
excuses or defenses. When the course
Of life was flowing smoothly he was de-
lightful company. A most engaging
quality was his invariable and universal
courtesy. He had the ceremonious man
ners Of the old school, and treated
young and old, men and women. as if
they were on his own intellectual level.
Indeed his manner toward his intellect
ual interiors was almost ludic.ously
humble. Still. being human. ne liked
acquiescence better than contradiction.
and he was inclined to overrate the
characters and attachments Of the peo-
pie who agreed with him. His cease
were swans He showed according ID
Bishop Wherefore, a want of clear
sharp sightedness as to others, and he
consequently exposed himself to the
arts of scheming mediocrities. He was
seen to most advantage in his own
home. His extraordinary yigor and
agility of mind and body his unbroken
health and buoyant spirits formed an
atmosphere of infectious vitality. He
delighted in hospitality, and received his
friends with a joy that warned more
than wine. The dignity, order, simple
ity and manly piety Of his daily life
made up a. spectacle more impressive
than his most magnificent performances
in Parliament or on the platform.
Although Mr.. Gladstone was pre-eni-
nently a talker in society, yet he did
not disdain the other arts by which peo-
pie who dine out contrive to spend the
time In his younger days he used to
be quite noted for singing either solos
or part songs, and even down to recent
times the musical bass Of his voice was
often heard to great advantage in fam
lily worship at Hawarden on Sunday
nights.
There are legends of the wonderful