AN AMERICAN ESTIMATE OF MR. GLADSTONE'S POWERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9325, 30 March 1889, Page 2 (Supplement)

AN AMERICAN ESTIMATE OF MR. GLADSTONE'S POWERS.

An American journal publishes an estimate of the Liberal leader's powers from a study of his face and head from the gallery of the House of Commons. Referring to Mr. Gladstone's manner in the House, the writer says : —" The ex-Premier has a habit of facing first one way and then another as bespeaks, as though lie would not willingly turn his back upon any part of the House. It is very fine to see him wind his way through a closely reasoned argument addressed to the Treasury bench, now emphasising his points by striking the palm of his left hand, and now pushing the conclusion home with finger outstretched across the table. Then, having to his satisfaction demolished his opponent's position, he will turn quickly round to his friends, and in doing so deal his foes a final blow; or, it may be, throwing back his head, send forth a stream of withering irony." The writer proceeds to say : —" It is a strange and interesting sight to see the ' old man eloquent' address the British Senate, while its members sit in breathless silence, marvelling at his flow of language and the rapid play of his features. There is not a finer study for the physiognomist in the world than that mobile face." Coming to the peculiarities of that head and face, the writer informs us that Mr. Gladstone's head is over twenty-four inches in circumference, and that the frontal lobe is of almost preternatural length." The first and most striking feature of Mr. Gladstone's face is " this long, prominent frontal lobe." "I make a special point of his shape," says the writer, " which is wedge-like laterally, because the forehead focuses, so to speak, in the central line, and then gradually widens out to the ears, at which point the width is very great." The latter point is considered to be indicative of great energy. His strength lies, first, in his strong perceptive, methodic, and analytic intellect; secondly, in his tremendous energy and "go thirdly, in his reserve of force ; and, fourthly, in his " balance" and poise. A fifth important feature in " his mental make up " is described as the only moderate development of those powers which sometimes lead to vagueness. " Hope yields that extraordinary buoyancy and dan by which the right hon. gentleman is characterised, but which, for the reason just mentioned, does not lead to air-castle building."