MR GLADSTONES DEATH.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XX, Issue XXII, 28 May 1898, Page 671

MR GLADSTONES DEATH.

THE world-wide interest attaching to the life and work of the late Mr Gladstone is greatly intensified at this moment when the whole Empire is deploring the loss of that great statesman and unique character. The lineaments of the dead man are so familiar to Britons that it is almost unnecessary to reproduce photographs of him in these pages; but, on the other hand, now more than at any other time, jierhaps, any presentment of the foremost statesman of our time as he appeared when among us will be gazed on with a deep interest. Among the pictures we give, one represents Mr Gladstone in the heyday of his intellectual and political

power speaking in that august assembly whose opinions he has so often directed by Ins wisdom and eloquence; another is one of the latest portraits taken of the right hon. gentleman. We also reproduce from the ‘Strand Magazine’ a series of pictures of Mrs Gladstone, taken at various times of her life, a picture of Miss Helen Gladstone. their fourth daughter, who was for many years connected with Newnham College, Cambridge, where she was latterly bead of one of the two halls; a photogravure of the Right Hon. Herbert J. Gladstone. M.P.. who is a familiar figure in polities. In many respects Airs Gladstone has been scarcely a less remarkable figure than her great husband. Hers is a character of singular sweetness and worth, and her devotion to Mr Gladstone and her family has [Missed into a house-

hold word. They were married on the 25th of July, 1839, in the village of Hawarden. At the same time Lord Lyttelton was married to Mrs Gladstone’s sister, Mies Mary Glynne. Both sisters were known for their singular beauty and lovableness of character. "This wedding,’ says Mr Broadwell, in the ‘Strand.’ ‘was eventful for Hawarden. for, nt the invitation of his brother-in-law, Sir Stephen Glynne. who never married, Mr Gladstone made it his home. Hawarden was chosen because Mr Gladstone had no call for resilience elsewhere, except, perhaps, at his father’s estate, Basque, in Kircardineshire. where he paid regular visits with his family until Sir John Gladstone’s death, in 1851. ‘Mr Gladstone’s brother-in-law, the Tate Sir Stephen R. Glynne, then owner of the Hawarden - Estate and Castle,

had very early to face the change* and chances of life. His agent of the day, to whom everything was intrusted, brought, by rash speculations in iron, the estate to the verge of ruin, which it will yet take generations to repair. Mr Gladstone was able to give great assistance in meeting this crisis. He himself also purchased properties in the vicinity, but. as is well known, he made over all his own property to his eldest eon, not long after that son had succeeded by will Sir S. It. Glynne at his death, in 1874. The castle and grounds belong, however, to Mrs Gladstone for life. ‘This surrender of his property in land so many years ago was only characteristic of Mr Gladstone’s general principle in favour of devolving property and responsibility on the younger generation, not when death

compels, but when a sense of propriety commends it. Thus Mr Gladstone himself long ago divided his living for the most part among his children, while at the same time setting aside a large sum for the founding and endowment of St. Dciniol’s Library and Hostel. ‘lt has often been one of his most grateful expressions that his children have never caused him, except by illness or deith. a moment’s anxiety: and he nas. therefore, been able to sei hie way to make them all independent many years before his old age set in. ‘One of Mrs Gladstone’s gifts has been an intuitive knowledge in matters of health and nursing; in fact, though Mrs Gladstone has the greatest respect for doctors and nurses, she is herself an excellent doctor and nurse combined. Husband, children.

and scores of friends ami relations have had the benefit of her skill and can-. It must be said liiat in this re.-qiect, notwithstanding her present strength of constitution, she never rmembered to lake much care of herself. Another gift is seen in the way in which by influence and organising power, by contempt for red tape ami by ready resource, she has established and carried forward, for many years, valuable ii.stb utions by simple means and methods; the Orphanage and the Little Home, both of which are near, or. rather, at. Hawarden Castle, are an example of this. Here she has s|M-nt much of her time, and latterly encouraged her grandchildren to do the like. In other words. Mrs Gladstone is everylaidy’s friend, and Ims an unlimited capacity for entering, with leal syni|Nithy, into the sorrows

of all with whom she comes in contact. ‘lt need hardly be said that Mr Gladstone, with his blended gifts of tender feeling and sense of justice, never had favourites in his own family. Circumstances would bring him in contact much more with some than with others of the circle, but he always made it unmistakably felt that his heart, and mind were equally large and equally ready for all. ‘The Gladstones are said to be a very argumentative family amongst themselves. Be this as it may. there have never been any serious differences of thought or feeling between Mr and Mrs Gladstone and their sons and daughters, even on those subjects of politics and religion which are productive of differences in so many families.’ Mr and Mrs Gladstone had eight children: William Henry Gladstone, born 1840, died 1891, who was M.P. from 1865-85 and an unpaid Lord of Treasury from 1869 to 1874; Agnes, born 1842, now Mrs Wickham; Stephen Edward, born 1844, rector of Hawarden; Jessie Catherine, bom 1845, died 1850; Mary, bom 1847. married the Rev. Harry Drew; Helen, born 1849: Henry Neville, bom 1852; and Herbert John, born 1854.