ENGLANDS GREATEST.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXII, Issue I, 7 January 1899, Page 31

ENGLANDS GREATEST.

The ’lndependent’ contains some reminiscences of Gladstone, suggestive, as al! such reminiscences must Lu - , of his wonderful intellectual and moral power. He learned French late in life, incited to do so by his enjoyment of French literature. At eighty-six he mastered Danish. A few years ago a dinner was given him by Jules Simon and other distinguished Frenchmen. ‘Shall 1 speak in French or English?’ he asked an American friend, on arriving. The American would not venture to advise Mr Gladstone In anything, but added: ‘lf I were expected to speak and could do so in their own tongue, I should certainly use it.’ T will speak in French, said Mr Gladstone, and so he did for half an hour, to the astonishment and delight of all who were present. No subject seemed too slight to attract his interest. Some American apples were placed on the table near him, and one of our countrymen remarked: ‘Those are rather fine apples.' ‘Yes,’ said Mr Gladstone. ‘You sent us seven thousand three hundred and sixty-five, barrels last year.’ Among the two hundred guests present, possibly there was not another one who could so promptly have stated a fact of such merely general interest. It is good to hear the generous (or just!) commendation of one great man for another. ‘When you meet Mr Gladstone.’ John Bright once said to a visitor in England, ‘you will see the greatest Englishman of our time.’ A titled lady was one day railing at Mr Gladstone, as was the fashion in England until recently. Suddenly Mr Bright turned and asked: ‘Has your son ever seen Mr Gladstone?’ The son was at that moment standing beside them. ‘No.’ was the surprised answer. ‘Then, madam.’ said Mr Bright, ‘permit me to urge you to take him at once to see the greatest Englishman he is ever likely to look upon.