Next evening Mr. Gladstone asked for a part-song in the
middle of dinner, and as the singing was continued in the drawing-
room afterwards, he went and, with a deferential courtesy charming
to see in a man of his age and position, asked whether the young
people would allow an old man to sing bass in the glees with them.
Mr. Gladstone still had a very fine resonant bass, and he read
quite admirably. It was curious to see the Prime Minister reading
off the same copy as an Eton boy of sixteen, who was singing alto.
Being Sunday night, they went on singing hymns and anthems till
nearly midnight; there was no getting Mr. Gladstone away. Mrs.
Gladstone told me next day that he had not enjoyed himself so much
for many months.
There was a blend of simplicity, dignity, and kindliness in Mrs.
Gladstone's character that made her very attractive. My family
were exceedingly fond of her, and though two of my brothers were
always attacking Mr. Gladstone in the most violent terms, this
never strained their friendly relations with Mrs. Gladstone
herself. I always conjure up visions of Mrs.
Pages:
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328
329
330
331
332
333
334
335
336
337
338
339