LATE MR GLADSTONE.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17015, 31 January 1927, Page 8

LATE MR GLADSTONE.

HIS CHARACTER IMPUGNED CHARGES MADE BY AUTHOR. SERIOUS ALLEGATIONS. (/Australian and N.Z. Gable Assn.) LONDON, January 28. The hearing of the libel action brought by Captain Peter Wright against Viscount Gladstone was continued. ’flic case is the sequel to the letter sent by Lord Gladstone to the Bath Club, in which he stated that Captain Wright’s hook, ‘‘Portraits and Criticisms,” grossly maligned his father, the late Mr W. E. Gladstone. As a result of the letter the plaintiff was expelled from the Bath Club. The Court was crowded with celebrities, who listened with fascination to a verbal duel hour after hour between Mr Norman Birkett, K.C., Viscount GJandstone’s counsel, and Captain Wright, in the course of which Wright said: “I am afraid some of my evidence might have pained Mrs Langtry, who is still alive. It is most annoying. I am sorry in that connection. More than that I cannot say. I would have done anything I could to avoid it.”

’ The Judge: “You do not like reflecting on the living?” Captain Wright: “Not on women.” I’he Judge: “You make an exception in the case of women?”

Captain Wright: “About a woman personally.” Answering Mr Birkett, lie said: “My charge against ! the late Mr Gladstone is primarily one of hypocrisy, pretending to be what he was not.” Once when Captain Wright was strongly maintaining a point the Judge said sternly: “Don’t shout; keep quiet, please.” Captain Wright maintained that he did not base his charge specifically on Lord Milner’s statement, but on the totality of the evidence. A Tense Moment. There was a tense moment when Mr Birkett produced the birth and marriage certificates of Cecil Gladstone, of Eastbourne, showing that he is the son of William Gladstone, merchant, and asked Captain Wright: "Do these documents influence your judgment about the legitimacy of Cecil Gladstone?” Captain Wright: “They do and they don’t. I cannot say that they refute my viewpoint.” Mr Birkett: “These documents are falsehoods?” Captain Wright: “No.” Captain Wright added that he was not aware that Ewart Gladstone had a first cousin known as William Gladstone. After handing him a copy of Lodge s Peerage, Mr Birkett asked: “5-ou now say he is an illegitimate soil?” Captain Wright: "No.” The Judge: "Do you withdraw what you said about this certificate ? Captain Wright: “Yes, entirely.” Mr Birkett asked whether Dr Greatorex bad given the names and particulars of women patients whose acquaintance Gladstone was alleged to pave tried to make on the streets. Breach of Professional Etiquette.

Captain Wright: “It would have been an extraordinary breach of professional etiquette.” Mr Birkett asked whether he really believed that Gladstone altered the policy of England because of lus relationship with Madame NoVikoff. Captain Wright: "I go further, an. will prove it from your own documents. This was also the opinion of Lord Granville, his closest friend. Air Birkett: “Do. you Hunk it cowardly to slander a dead man. Captain Wright stood back, dan c led his monocle, and said: “I must give a long answer. All history is a register of crimes and follies, therefore all history is a slander of dead men. History cannot be abolished for the benefit of Gladstone.” The Judge: “That is not an answer. Will you answer now?” ..... Captain Wright: “Not if historical matter you are writing.” .The Judge: “Then your answer is, ‘No, I do not think it cowardly to slander the dead.’ ” Captain Wright said he was not aware that Mr Gladstone spent considerable sums of money in reclaiming fallen women, “if you produce one or two girls Gladstone ever reclaimed I will admit I am wrong.” The case was adjourned till Tuesday.