The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-08-13

| recognize faces he once said. but / al
ways remember names. II only l am told
the name OF man who Is brought to me,
| thon II IL all right" When his interest In
man or a woman was aroused, he had a
keen eye not only for general effect. but for
details. He greatly disliked boards and
moustaches, not only or chiefly because they
Impcded utterance. but because they con-
cealed ono Of the most expressive features
OF the human face. and. also. because they
harbored the fumes OF Tobacco. Surely
- must smoke very bad cigars" he once
said Of a colleague. Ills beard Is alb
soluteiy an offence" or another: - had
great many merits. but not the
merit OF looking young for his years
After he had addressed the Union at
oxford In 1890, he was asked II he had
noticed any special difference between the
undergraduates OF the present day and those
OF his youth. He replied instantly. Yes
their dress I was told that had In my
audience many OF the wealthiest and best
connected men in the university, and there
wasn't one OF them whom l couldn't have
dressed from top to toe for SIS" On lady
who had sat by him at dinner he pronounc-
because she eschewed mutton and fed upon
kickshaws Greedincss was a fault espe-
cally abhorrent to man whose appetite
was constantly and completely satisfied with
roast beef and rice pudding, Stilton cheese.
and two glasses OF port. All elaborate or
unknown dishes he regarded with an anus
ing mixture Of fear and dislike, and to eat
raw oysters was, in his Judgment, sheer
barbarism.
1t Is evident that Gladstone was a man OF
many moods. The mood, however, which
seems to have been most frequent In his
social Intercourse was one OF a gentle and
fascinating courtesy, manifestly DESTROYS Of
making things pleasant for all with whom
he was brought in contact. On one occasion
II was the lot of the editor Of these volumes
to see him at a social board in mood less
agreeable. The dinner party was a small
one but in addition to Gladstone 1t com
priscd another eminent man. James Russell
Lowell Everybody anticipated with delight
the conversation Of two such men Some
how or other, Gladstone and Lowell did not
hit at all" 1t was In the days when the
Home Rule controversy was most bitter
and by an unlucky chance, the question OF
Ireland was raised. II was not political but
artistic Ireland that was touched upon
Lowell was mildly sarcastic at the expense
OF the Irish people. What had they done In
art? Had they ever done anything at all?'
and so forth. 1t was evident that he meant
to draw" the illustrious Englishman. and
draw him he did with vengeance. For a
time indeed Gladstone kept himself under
restraint; but at last the sarcasms OF Low
III at the expense OF the Irish people moved
him beyond endurance, and suddenly the
avalanche fell What has Ireland done for
TT, you ask me, Lowell?' he numbered
forth. striking the table as he spoke. as
though 1t had been the familiar box at the
House OF Commons; what has Ireland done
|vr art? II you will allow me. l will tell
,,ou''; and then suddenly was poured forth,
n vehement and almost passionate speech,
series OF statements so sweeping and so
,trong that they fairly staggered those au'
itors who had no acquaintance with the
subject Ireland so Gladstone affirmed. had
lone great things for art before the artistic
y,2c OF Rome or Greece Lowell, still pro
yokingly cool said Il have never heard Of
;hcse things What are they" Again IN"
avalanche fell and with such force thar "
very Young lady az the table turned 70 her
n.ighbor in alarm and said: They are not
quarrelling hope"