MR GLADSTONE'S FATHER AS A

Otago Witness, Issue 1862, 29 July 1887, Page 31

MR GLADSTONE'S FATHER AS A

, Scottish jjaird. In the county of Kincardine is Fasque House, the residence of Sir Thomas Gladstone, Bart., elder brother of the ex-Premier. It is a large, palatial-looking edifice, was built in 1808-9 by the Eamsays, of Balmain, and is said to have cost £30,000, and was purchased by Mr John Gladstone, father of the present proprietor, somewhere about GO years since. Along with it he acquired the properties of Fasque and Balfour, to which additions were made afterwards by him and the present owner-, till now the Fasque estates are" about 49,000' acres in extent; and liave a rental arjproxirdating to £id,ooo a-year. There is no reason to believe that the Liverpool merchant, like Sir Walter Scott, wished to perpetuate the family name by linking it to a large estate, but he was a busy and prosperous man of business who had money to spare, and who probably liked to have an autumn holiday on the Stottish moors. As a native of Leith, he may have been attracted to the eastern counties, while the fact that his second wife, the mother of his children, had connections with Dingwall and Stornoway may have attracted him to a district so far north Kincardine. Gradually more land was acquired, partly by himself, hut still more by his son, till now the Fasque estates extend Irom the village of Fettercairn up the slopes of the Grampians to within 10 miles of Banchory, on the banks of the Dee.

Much is known regarding the career of Mr John Gladstone in Leith, and especially in Liverpool ; not many reminiscences remain regarding his autumnal holidays at Fasque. Old persons recollect him still.'but the number of those who do so is gradually getting less. He is remembered as a fine, "stately gentleman ; and is well represented both in figure ;tnd character by his son, the veteran statesman. Any reminiscences of that period have a certain value, so far as they shed light on the training of the son, who has become such a prominent figure in our nation's history. Children often inherit form, features, and mental idiosyncracies from their parents, and in this instance the wonderful business aptitude, together with the love of fair dealing, arc reproduced in the character ot the statesman. Soon after the arrival of Mr John Gladstone at his newly-acquired Scottish mansion, one of the smaller tenants called to ask an interview with the laird. " Well, my man," said Mr Gladstone, " what do you want ?" The tenant, with a respectful bow, answered that his land was wet and much in want of draining, adding that if the proprietor would advance the mopey he would be willing to pay 5 per cent, of interest. " Sit down, my man," said the laird, " till I consider the matter." Having walked several times across the room, he paused in front of the bashful tenant, and said, " No, my good man, I will not agree to your proposition ; but I will tell you what I will do. I will drain the farm, and you shall pay me 4 per cent. If I get 4 per cent, for my money, and get my estate improved at the same time, lam very well paid." The worthy farmer departed highly pleased at having got such a considerate and liberal landlord.

It was customary for Mr Gladstone and members of his family to frequently drive to Montrose, a distance of 10 or 12 miles from Fasque ; and Mr Gladstone was in the habit of purchasing fowls, fish, and other commodities for the household use. A gentleman still living can recollect seeing the shrewd and careful merchant-squire lifting the dead fowls, balancing them in his hand, trying to estimate their weight before making a purchase ; his desire obviously being to give what is fair, and nothing more nor less. One day he had purchased some fish, and naid the money, giving directions that the parcel be sent to his carriage, when he became aware of an altercation between the iish merchant; and a boy, who apparently wished more than what was due for carrying the parcel. Apparently the laird took part with the fishdealer, for he said at once, " Hand the parcel to me ; I will carry it myself."

The same intelligent observer, who was thon a lawyer's clerk in Montrose, states that one day he saw a bright young gentleman, cairying a hare and some partridges, walking with a quiet energetic tread in the direction ot the parsonage where the Episcopalian clergyman lived. Turning to a banker in the town, who was standing near, he asked — "Who is that young gentleman who walks with so much alertness and activity 1" ies," said the banker, " take a good look at that young gentleman. That is son of Mr Gladstone who has bought the estate of Basque. He is one of the cleverest young men in this country and will be Prime jflinister of Britain before he is 40 years of ago The prediction has not been literally tulhlled. William Ewart Gladstone, whose presence in Montrose 60 years ago attracted so much notice, was not Prime Minister at •Hi but his career has been so great and noble that, the highest anticipations regarding him have been more than realised. W hen we know that his father lived to the patriarchal age of 88, we may hope that ln «.Y be spared to crown his illustrious career with services still more houourable and beneficial to humanity. — Scottish ■tender.