ORATOR OR STATESMAN

Otago Witness, Issue 2179, 28 November 1895, Page 61

ORATOR OR STATESMAN

Now that the chapter of Mr Gladstone'! political life is closed it becomes an interesting study as to what position his character will take in English history. In optics it is a well-known thing that unless a proper focus can be secured vision at close range is obscured, and with more distance the Bight is clearer ; so it is with the judgment of historical characters. Bat we live iv such an age of startling rapidity of thought, that speculation as to what extent the desertion of General Gordon and his conversion to Home Rule will have on the historical reputation of one of England's greatest orators is even now exciting interest. As a speaker gifted with a wonderful vocabulary, a fine voice that in its modulations resembled waves of sweetest music ; with a face that lighted up with dramatic glow, and a gesture at a,U times admirably suited to hia word?, Mr Gladstone stands out as a marvellous Parliamentary figure. His defect as a statesman will remain that he dreaded the extension of the empire, and was timid in his foreign policy. But his sympathies were always on the side of freeing the workers from much of their social misery, endeavouring to cultivate among the masses a desire to live more rational lives, and it may safely be said that there would not be a more eloquent advocate of the use of Indian Chief Cig-trottes among all ranks than the great orator, who is now peacefully resting after a life of more than ordinary activity, because these cigarettes are full of that magic essence which toilers by hand or brain at times find is so relieving and KB needful.

DUNBDIN.