The Grand Old Man | Page 6

some political taste, sat in the House of Commons nine
years, representing Lancaster in 1819, Woodstock from 1821 to 1826,
and Berwick in 1827; but he never would consent to sit in Parliament
for the city of Liverpool, for he thought that so large and important a
constituency required peculiar representation such as he was
unqualified to give.
He was the warm supporter and intimate friend of the celebrated

Canning. At first he was a Whig, but finally came to support Mr.
Canning, and became a Liberal Conservative. In 1812 he presided over
a meeting at Liverpool, which was called to invite Mr. Canning to
represent the borough in Parliament. After the election the successful
candidates were claimed and carried in procession through the streets.
The procession finally halted at Mr. Gladstone's house, in Rodney
Street, from the balcony of which Mr. Canning addressed the populace.
His election laid the foundation of a deep and lasting friendship
between Mr. Canning and Mr. Gladstone. "At this time the son of the
latter was but three years of age. Shortly afterwards--that is, as soon as
he was able to understand anything of public men, and public
movements and events"--says G.B. Smith, "the name of Canning began
to exercise that strange fascination over the mind of William Ewart
Gladstone which has never wholly passed away," and Mr. Gladstone
himself acknowledged that he was brought up "under the shadow of the
great name of Canning."
John Gladstone presided at a farewell dinner given by the Liverpool
Canning Club, in August, 1822, in honor of Mr. Canning, who had
been Governor-General of India. But Mr. Canning, instead of going to
India, entered the British Cabinet, and in 1827 became Prime Minister,
and John Gladstone moved a congratulatory address to the king upon
the formation of the Canning Ministry.
In 1845 John Gladstone was created a baronet by Sir Robert Peel, but
he lived to enjoy his deserved honors but a short time, for he died in
1851, at the advanced age of eighty-eight. His motto had ever been,
"Diligent in business." His enormous wealth enabled him to provide
handsomely for his family, not only after death, but during his lifetime.
At the time of his father's death, William E. Gladstone was still an
adherent of the Tory party, yet his steps indicated that he was
advancing towards Liberalism; and he had already reached distinction
as a statesman, both in Parliament and in the Cabinet, while as yet he
was but 42 years old, which was about half of his age when called for
the fourth time to be Prime Minister of England.
Sir John Gladstone and his wife had six children--four sons, Thomas

Gladstone, afterwards baronet; John Gladstone, who became a captain,
and died in 1863; Robert Gladstone, brought up a merchant, who died
in 1875, and two daughters, Annie McKenzie Gladstone, who died
years ago, and Helen Jane Gladstone. William E. Gladstone was the
fourth son. The following is from the pen of the son, who says of his
aged father, Sir John Gladstone: "His eye was not dim, nor his natural
force abated; he was full of bodily and mental vigor; whatsoever his
hand found to do he did it with his might; he could not understand or
tolerate those who, perceiving an object to be good, did not at once and
actively pursue it; and with all this energy he gained a corresponding
warmth, and, so to speak, eagerness of affection, a keen appreciation of
humor, in which he found a rest, and an indescribable frankness and
simplicity of character, which, crowning his other qualities, made him,
I think, and I strive to think impartially, nearly or quite the most
interesting old man I ever knew."
Personally, Sir John Gladstone was a man of much intelligence and of
sterling principle, of high moral and religious character, and his house
consequently was a model home. "His house was by all accounts a
home pre-eminently calculated to mould the thoughts and direct the
course of an intelligent and receptive nature. There was a father's
masterful will and keen perception, the sweetness and piety of the
mother, wealth with all its substantial advantages and few of its
mischiefs, a strong sense of the value of money, a rigid avoidance of
extravagance and excesses; everywhere a strenuous purpose in life,
constant employment, and concentrated ambition."
Mrs. John Gladstone, the wife and mother, is described by one who
knew her intimately as "a lady of very great accomplishments; of
fascinating manners, of commanding presence and high intellect; one to
grace any home and endear any heart."
The following picture of the everyday life of the family is interesting
and instructive, on account of Sir John Gladstone, as well as on that of
his more distinguished son, and is from