Letters of Lord Acton to Mary, Daughter of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone

32

Then Postmaster-General.

33

House of Lords, not "History of Liberty."

34

That any member claiming the right to affirm instead of taking an oath should be allowed to do so, subject to any liability imposed on him by statute. Under this motion Mr. Bradlaugh took his seat provisionally for Northampton.

35

Littleberries, rented by Lord Aberdeen.

36

Trench.

37

Herbert Spencer.

38

M. Tachard.

39

Mr. Gladstone had just then a short, but serious illness.

40

On the Compensation for Disturbance Bill, intended to protect the Irish tenants from eviction during the winter.

41

The majority against the Bill was 230, of whom 51 were Liberals.

42

Granville.

43

Lowell.

44

Non equidem invideo; miror magis.

45

See p. 28, note 36.

46

Lord Arthur Russell.

47

The reference is to the Ground Game Bill, which enabled tenants to shoot hares and rabbits on their farms; and to the Burials Bill, which permitted the interment of Dissenters in parish churchyards with their own religious rites.

48

Mr. Gladstone's voyage in the Grantully Castle.

49

"History of Our Own Times."

50

Shakespeare's Sonnets, pocket edition.

51

Now Lady Battersea.

52

Richard Simpson (1820-1876), author of an "Introduction to the Philosophy of Shakespeare's Sonnets" (1868) and "The School of Shakespeare" (1872).

53

A letter from Mr. Gladstone on the choice of a profession.

54

Mr. Ruskin.

55

George Eliot lived in St. John's Wood.

56

Agrarian Laws and Ecclesiastical Establishments.

57

He stood by Ireland to the end, and his last letter to Sir Hercules Langrishe reaffirms the principles of his youth.

58

"And to party gave up what was meant for mankind."

59

The editor of the Quarterly Review.

60

Lord Beaconsfield's "Endymion," in which Nigel Penruddocke is one of the characters.

61

Lord Macaulay.

62

George Otto Trevelyan.

63

"Life of Panizzi."

64

"Julian the Apostate." By the Rev. the Hon. Arthur Lyttelton, afterwards Bishop of Southampton.

65

Charles Stewart Parker, then M.P. for Perth.

66

"English Land and English Landlords." By the Honble. George Brodrick, late Warden of Merton.

67

An allusion to Mr. Gladstone's speech on the Reform Bill of 1866.

68

George Eliot's death.

69

"Democracy," a political novel, published anonymously, which made much noise at the time.

70

Arthur Lyttelton's. See his "Modern Poets of Faith, Doubt and Paganism, and other Essays" (Murray).

71

This refers to the inscription Lord Acton inserted in Ruskin's "Arrows of the Chace" – "From a False Believer."

72

Speech on introducing the Peace Preservation Bill.

73

Dublin Castle.

74

George Eliot's husband.

75

On the introduction of the new rules of Procedure after the expulsion of the Irish Members.

76

The late Lord Stanley of Alderley.

77

The Editor of the Edinburgh Review.

78

Trevelyan.

79

In "Endymion."

80

The obstruction of the Peace Preservation Bill, which ended in the autocratic intervention of the Speaker, and the removal of the Irish Members from the House.

81

Sir Arthur Godley, at that time private secretary to Mr. Gladstone.

82

Sir Erskine May.

83

The Jacobite description of the mole whose burrowings caused the death of William the Third by making his horse stumble.

84

The Comte de Serre was a Minister under Louis XVIII., and a leader of the Moderate Royalists after the Restoration.

85

Sir John Lubbock's.

86

For closing debate.

87

At this period shadowing Mr. Gladstone's movements.

88

Sir John Lubbock, in conversation with Miss Gladstone, complained of the lack of a guide or supreme authority in the choice of books. She suggested Lord Acton, and mentioned this talk in writing to him.

89

Harold Browne.

90

Lightfoot.

91

Sir James Paget, the great surgeon.

92

By Robert Wallace, afterwards M.P. for East Edinburgh. The definition, "trust in the people, tempered by prudence," was laid down by Mr. Gladstone himself in a speech at Oxford in 1877.

93

Of Liberty.

94

On the Peace Preservation Bill.

95

Mr. Brand, afterwards Lord Hampden.

96

Carlyle's.

97

See page 40.

98

John K. Ingram, Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, and author of the article on Political Economy in the Encyclopædia Britannica.

99

Mr. Gladstone fell on the ice as he entered the gardens of Downing Street, and cut open the back of his head.

100

Sir Bartle Frere, then Governor of Cape Colony.

101

Miss Dempster.

102

"Sermons in a College Chapel," by J. R. Illingworth.

103

George Sand.

104

Gladstone, Tennyson, and Paget.

105

Leo XIII.

106

Dublin Castle.

107

Minghetti and Bonghi.

108

Dr. Döllinger.

109

i. e., of Mr. Gladstone.

110

Lord Acton said elsewhere of Lee – "The greatest general the world has ever seen, with the possible exception of Napoleon."

111

Mr. Gladstone's.

112

At Cannes.

113

Scartazzini's.

114

Illingworth's "In a College Chapel."

115

Of George Eliot.

116

George Sand.

117

Meaning the Irish Land Bill. The reference is to the agrarian laws of Tib. and C. Sempronius Gracchus.

118

On Carlyle.

119

Midhat Pacha was the head of the reforming party in Turkey at that time.

120

Leo XIII.

121

November 15, 1848. After the murder of Count Rossi, his Liberal Minister of the Interior, Pius IX. left Rome, and fled to Gaeta, from which he only returned under the protection of French bayonets.

122

The introduction of the Irish Land Bill.

123

The late Duke of Argyll's resignation.

124

Lord Carlingford succeeded him.

125

Mr. Gladstone's eleventh.

126

To the Academy.

127

See p. 48.

128

The first Lord Cairns.

129

"It is true, Holy Father, I have failed.

130

Lord Beaconsfield.

131

The Sultan's.

132

See Diary in Ruskin's "Letters to M. and H. G." (privately printed).

133

For burial in the Abbey.

134

Lord Lansdowne's and Lord Listowel's.

135

Judah Philip Benjamin, Q.C., author of "Benjamin on Sales." He left America after the defeat of the South, and attained great distinction at the English Bar.

136

Mr. Gladstone did not arrive in time after the Easter recess to give notice of his own motion for a public memorial to Lord Beaconsfield, who died on the 19th of April 1881. The notice was given on Mr. Gladstone's behalf by Lord Richard Grosvenor, now Lord Stalbridge.

137

Convicted at the Old Bailey for incitement to the murder of the German Emperor.

138

Mr. Gladstone's.

139

Of the Irish Land Bill.

140

Mr. Gladstone predicted that, if the Conservatives defeated the Bill and came into office, they would themselves introduce not a smaller, but a larger measure.

141

Sir John Skelton, K.C.B., author of "Thalassa," Scottish disciple of Disraeli, a brilliant and scholarly writer.

142

Canon Maccoll.

143

The death of a little daughter.

144

W. H. Gladstone, M.P.

145

The late Duke of Argyll.

146

Mr. Gladstone's retirement.

147

At Leeds.

148

"Like some tall bully, lifts its head and lies."

149

The County Franchise Bill.

150

To Knowsley.

151

The King.

152

"The Life of Cobden."

153

The late Sir Charles Gavan Duffy.

154

Mr Gladstone's.

155

(HAWARDEN, 15th Nov. 1881). – "Tête-à-tête breakfast. A long most interesting talk on the great vexed question of his retirement; started by his saying that he and Lord Granville had discussed it, Lord G. good-humouredly declaring it out of the question. I quoted to him Lord Acton's words, how it would be a serious flaw in his political career to damage and perhaps ruin the Liberal party, by retiring from the leadership while in full possession of health and strength. He said the same arguments had been used in Lord Palmerston's case – that it was said the power and cohesion of the party depended on one man's life; that history had proved in that case that this was not so; that in his own case he had retired in '74 for good; that his reassumption of office was accidental, conditional, and temporary; that it was undertaken for certain purposes foreshadowed in his Midlothian Speeches; that these purposes were all or nearly all accomplished; that if he did not retire after Ireland was settled, and House of Commons procedure readjusted, there was no moment in the future when it would be possible – that Lord Hartington (now Duke of Devonshire) was a man of unusual strength and ability, but that before becoming Prime Minister he required more training as House of Commons leader. (I objected that he might at any moment go to the House of Lords, which would immensely weaken his influence; and besides, who could then lead the House of Commons?) The future leader of H. of C. was a great puzzle and difficulty. Sir Charles Dilke would probably be the man best fitted for it, he had shown much capacity for learning and unlearning, but he would require Cabinet training first; that as time brings nearer Lord Hartington's move into House of Lords, force was added to the argument in favour of his own retirement. That he did not foresee great difficulties ahead for the Liberal party; that the Conservative ditto had thrown away what should have been their strength – the return to the principles and policy of Sir R. Peel; that they were demoralised and degraded; that they had inherited the vices of Lord Beaconsfield without his tact and judgment: (Lord B.'s climax was reached in his attack on Sir Robert Peel. What a magnificent virulence he had shown; what a power of cutting and piercing the man through a searching knowledge of his character); that this jingoism was perpetuated in them, and must eventually be their ruin. That of Forster, Harcourt, and Childers it was hard indeed to say which was best qualified for leading; that Forster would probably be the best, but that he had shown occasional incapacity; that Goschen had sadly injured himself by following up his errors as to franchise with an elaborate eulogium of weak-kneed Liberalism – (I quoted Lord A. again 'that he might resign place, but could not resign power'). He demurred to this: for two years – 1874 to 1876 – he insisted he had had no influence on the Lib. party, that he should attend the H. of C. very rarely, and possibly begin by going abroad before the Session."

156

The Goschens.

157

The late Dr. Hatch's Lectures on the "Organisation of the Early Christian Churches."

158

The husband of George Eliot.

159

A short Life of Newman, by Mr. Jennings.

160

Mr. Goschen.

161

Sir Erskine May.

162

The Comte de Montlosier, a French emigrant, Royalist, historian, antiquary, feudalist, and Liberal Catholic.

163

Lord Monck, first Governor-General of Federated Canada.

164

George Eliot.

165

Sir George Errington.

166

The vote of censure on the Lords for appointing a Committee to inquire into the operation of the Irish Land Act.

167

His correspondent's name for his "History of Liberty." It was of course taken from the title of Mr. Henry James's delightful novel.

168

On the 2nd of March a lunatic named Martin fired at the Queen and Princess Beatrice at Windsor Station.

169

Bradlaugh's re-election.

170

This refers to a conversation at Venice in October 1879.

171

That Mr. Bradlaugh, having been re-elected for Northampton, should be allowed to take the oath and his seat.

172

A protest by Cardinal Manning against the admission of Mr. Bradlaugh.

173

A letter from Mr. Gladstone to his daughter.

174

Union, fusion.

175

James Harrington, 1611-1677. Toland edited his work on the "Theory of the State," which was seized by Cromwell.

176

1648.

177

Situated in the depth of the Inferno. – Canto xviii. line 1.

178

"The History of Liberty."

179

The letter in question was sent to Mr. Shorthouse, and was answered in detail by him.

180

"Ah, this thou should'st have done and not have spoken on't. In me 'tis villainy: in thee it had been good service."

181

Mr. S. R. Gardiner's review of "John Inglesant."

182

The late Marquis of Dufferin.

183

On the working of the Irish Laud Act, 1881.

184

Sent immediately after the murders in the Phœnix Park.

185

It need hardly be said that for this rumour there was no sort of foundation.

186

Lyttelton.

187

It was the "manifold writer."

188

Lord Salisbury was unsuccessful in persuading his party to throw out the Irish Arrears Bill in the House of Lords.

189

Mr. Gladstone's.

190

Downing Street.

191

"Paradise."

192

Letter written by Mr. Shorthouse in answer to Lord Acton's criticism of "John Inglesant."

193

Sara Bernhardt.

194

Of Gibraltar. The late Dr. Sandford.

195

Mr. Gladstone.

196

Mr. Secretary Hay.

197

Mrs. Hollond.

198

Of George Eliot.

199

Prime Minister.

200

Mr. Herbert Gladstone's Lecture on Ireland, in which he used the words "Irish Parliament."

201

The predominance of books on religion and the few on science.

202

The list of the hundred books given by Lord Acton to his correspondent.

203

"Ignorance, madam, sheer ignorance."

204

On the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill.

205

Henry George, author of "Progress and Poverty."

206

Eaton Square.

207

R. W. Church.

208

Liddon translated Rosmini's "Five Wounds of the Church."

209

The Master of University.

210

At Cambridge.

211

"History of Liberty."

212

"Progress and Poverty."

213

"The American Constitution."

214

The hundred books.

215

Lord Acton's first visits to Oxford and Cambridge (to Dr. Talbot's, Warden of Keble College, and to Professor Sidgwick's) were arranged by his correspondent.

216

Stubbs.

217

Treaty of Berlin, 1878.

218

Dr. Liddon met Lord A. and Miss G. at the station.

219

Dr. Talbot.

220

Dr. Stubbs.

221

Duchess of Sutherland, Countess of Cromarty in her own right.

222

Forbes.

223

Lord Wolverton's residence near London.

224

A letter from Mr. Gladstone to his daughter.

225

Contemporary Review.

226

Egypt.

227

To Egypt. Its object was financial.

228

Lyttelton.

229

England v. Australia, Kennington Oval.

230

Bishop Stubbs.

231

Döllinger.

232

Church.

233

Scholarship (£10) for Northumberland miners, comprising a month's residence at Cambridge.

234

Döllinger.

235

Dr. Howson.

236

The third Midlothian campaign.

237

Mr. Gladstone.

238

The first Lord Ampthill.

239

Mr. Gladstone.

240

Bishop Stubbs.

241

At Oxford.

242

Ruskin.

243

Bonamy Price.

244

Mr. Raskin's playfully affectionate description of Mr. Bonamy Price, Professor of the science which he most abhorred.

245

Afterwards Bishop of London.

246

"The History of the Papacy during the Reformation."

247

"Life of George Eliot."

248

President Monroe formulated, at the suggestion of Mr. Canning, the doctrine that the American continents were not to be colonised in the future by foreign Powers.

249

The Croker Papers.

250

Disraeli.

251

Bishop of London.

252

Walsham How, then Suffragan Bishop of Bedford.

253

At Cannes.

254

"The Life of George Eliot."

255

Now Viscount Milner.

256

The present Earl Grey.

257

Mark Pattison's Memoirs.

258

The Afghan frontier. See Mr. Morley's account of the Penjdeh incident in his "Life of Gladstone," vol. iii. pp. 183-5.

259

The reference is to Tennyson's lines on the Franchise Bill, "Steersman, be not precipitate," &c.

260

Disagreements in the Cabinet on Ireland had been cut short on June 8 by the defeat of the Government, through a combination of Tories and Irish, on the Budget.

261

Mr. James Stuart.

262

When Lord Salisbury came into office in June 1885, he required assurances of support from the Leader of the Opposition, which Mr. Gladstone refused to give.

263

Mr. Gladstone's Election Address, partly written in Norway, containing the Authorised Programme of the Liberal party.

264

i. e., ex-Prime Minister.

265

Mr. George Russell. He stood for Fulham, but was not elected.

266

At his election for Hoxton.

267

Now Bishop of Oxford.

268

The General Election of November 1885, consequent on the County Franchise and Redistribution Acts.

269

The county voters.

270

The Greville Memoirs, Part III.