Review of reviews and world's work . Mr. Gladstone were decreed by the fates to do themeanest of actions, he could not accomplish his destinyuntil he had suiTOtmded the hateful deed with a verjnimbus of supematual splendor. Until he has con-\Tnced himself that a thing is noble and righteous,and altogether excellent either in itself or because itis the destmed means to a supremely righteous end,he vrill not hear of it. Hence although there may besomewhat imreal about this, it is real enough to it is theatrical, he has been so long on the stagethat he feels naked and forlorn A
Review of reviews and world's work . Mr. Gladstone were decreed by the fates to do themeanest of actions, he could not accomplish his destinyuntil he had suiTOtmded the hateful deed with a verjnimbus of supematual splendor. Until he has con-\Tnced himself that a thing is noble and righteous,and altogether excellent either in itself or because itis the destmed means to a supremely righteous end,he vrill not hear of it. Hence although there may besomewhat imreal about this, it is real enough to it is theatrical, he has been so long on the stagethat he feels naked and forlorn Avithout his moralbuskins. GLADSTONE: A CHARACTER SKETCH. 441 THE POLITICAL ENGINEER. But it is not theatrical—save in its mere fringes andcomers. The main warp and woof of his lifes workhas been simply honestly sincere. This is obscuredfrom many bj Gordon and Home Rule. But therewas no insincerity in his dealings with Gordon. Mis-takes there were no doubt, many and grievous, buttjiey were mistakes of honest conviction based on im-. MK. GLADSTONE IN 1882. perfect acquaintance -wath facts. As to Home Rule,the suddenness of his declaration in favor of an IrishParliament, when Mr. Pamell acquired the balance-weight in the House of Commons, was no more proofof his insincerity than the porting of the helm whenthe ^^ind suddenly shifts proves that the helmsman is a dishonest rogue. Mr, Gladstone is a rare combina-tion of an idealist and a man of affairs. He is adreamer of di-eams, no doubt, but he dreams themonly as a civil engineer draws up his plans and speci-fications with a view to having them carried are on paper to-day, only in order that they maybe in brick and concrete and stone to-morrow. Hemay have his preferences for brick or concrete or stone in constructing a bridge,but that is a detail. Hissupreme object is to makea bridge. He may adver-tise for brick, believing thatto be the best, and if brickis to be had he will buildwith it. But if, after doinghis best, the
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