The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27

and John Ruslkin.
Just before starting for Europe l called
on my old friend. the late Dr. ]. L. M
Curry, who had written a book on Glad
stone, and asked him for a letter of in
PRODUCTION to the great English common
er. The good doctor said: While l have
met Mr.. Gladstone my personal acquaint-
ance with him is only slight and letter
from me would not be worth while. But
Mr. Gladstone is SO democratic and SO
genial that you can introduce yourself. l
would suggest that you write him let
ter the day before you are to call ana
tell him who you are and of your ue-
sire to meet him. That will be sunl-
Gent The ex-premier had retired from
active public life and was spending his
summer quietly at his home, Hawarden
castle. about seven miles from Chester
Acting upon DIR. Curry's advice, l wrote
letter by way of introduction and
mailed it from Dublin The next morn
ing arrived at Chester, took cab ana
drove to Hawarden castle. l found as
sembled on the grounds crowd esti-
mated at 5000 souls, made up chiefly OIL
wage workers, drawn from London, Man
chester, Liverpool, Birmingham and 9TH
er large towns to attend fete champetre
for the benefit of workingmans IL
'brary. | bought a ticket, passed through
the gate and made my way to the castle
Owing to the occasion 100 or more police
men were on duty on the grounds. sew
eral officers stood at the entrance to the
castle. I said [ would like to see MI
Gladstone Don't think it possible, one
of them answered. but you had better see
Mr.. HERBERT Herbert Gladstone was then
a member of the cabinet; secretary of
the local board, as well as l can re-
member.
And where will find Mr.. Herbert?
| asked.
He is mixing with the crowd. will
describe him so that you can pick MIN
out, was the friendly reply.
Il soon found Herbert Gladstone, intro
duced myself to him, told him of my eager
wish to meet his father and asked if Mr..
Gladstone had received my letter. Mr..
Herbert, as everybody seemed to speak
of him, was extremely cordial He told
me that his father had my letter. but said
it would not be possible to see him. He
said that his father was engaged on
some important literary work and that
he had been compelled to excuse himself
to everybody-even political friends who
had claims on him
ut soon occurred to me that Mr.. Glad
stone, the commoner, was not so acces-
sible as DIR. Curry had led me to believe.
In fact, it would have been easier, as I
afterward learned to meet His Royal
Highness Albert Edward NOW King Ed
ward. But finding Herbert Gladstone
well mannered and kindly disposed, par
leyed with him and showed him two let
tiers I carried in my pocket, which, / said,
might serve as credentials One of them
was addressed to the diplomatic repre-
septatives of the United States and was
signed by our Secretary of State the late
Walter Q. Gresham. The other was an
autograph letter from Cardinal Gibbons to
the late Cardinal Vaughan, then primate
of the Roman Catholic church in England.
1t was three-page letter and was ex-
pressed in most cordial terms. Mr..
Herbert read both letters and then Said:
We'll. I will tell my father about you,
and 1t may be that he will break his rule
and receive YOU
Let me show these letters to father.
1 will leave them for you with the
lodgekeeper by 1 o'clock and will also
leave word when an audience can be
arranged. To cut this story short, ]
met the great man. the sole object
Of ;ef4 IL.
as friendly, in fact, as if we had
known each other. 1 was invited to
Join the family-Mrs. Gladstone. the
two sons, Herbert and Henry and
granddaughter, little Miss
Drew-on the lawn in front OF
the castle and listen to concert By,
the Coldstream Guard band, the ia
nous Godfrey directing. 1t was on
that afternoon that Mr.. Gladstone made
his last speech in public. 1t was a
minute address to the workingmen
assembled. I was one of six who had
q seat on the improvised platform on
which the ex-premier stood I was not
disappointed In the illustrious states
mans eloquence. His voice was sympa-
thetic and resonant and in a few sec
onds after he began speaking his list
eners were spe1lboun
II was invited to remain to o'clock
tea but had to start back to Chester
before that hour In order to catch a
train for London.
Meeting Mr. Gladstone aud hearing
him speak well repaid me, of course,
Tor the difficulty l experienced in run
ming the gauntlet. And / shall ever
feel grateful to Herbert, the new Wis
count. for his hospitable treatment.
81 failed to see Ruskin. 1 was told
by an old friend of his, in London that
his mind was seriously affected and that
even IL l were allowed to meet him
ais shattered condition would only dig
tress me-