GLADSTONE, William Ewart (1809-1898). Statesman
"A CROWD OF SOME HUNDREDS CAME IN A DISORDERLY MANNER TO MY HOUSE"
Autograph Letter Signed ("W E Gladstone") as a member of the Liberal opposition to Disraeli's Conservative government, to Signor Mateucci [the Italian interior minister], assuring his correspondent that he had not been in any real danger when his house had been attacked by a hostile crowd.
3 1/2 pages 8vo, [73 Harley Street] London, 2 March 1878.
Autograph Letter Signed ("W E Gladstone" as a member of the Liberal opposition to Disraeli's Conservative governmen
A remarkable letter demonstrating Gladstone's bravery and determination. He had resigned the leadership of the Liberal party to Lord Hartington in 1875, but retained his seat in the Commons and greatly opposed Disraeli's position on the war between Russia and Turkey which broke out in 1877. Russia had attacked Turkey (after much provocation) and government and public opinion was generally pro-Turkish. Gladstone's vociferously pro-Russian stance made him unpopular, and for a time he required police protection. He here seeks to make light of the physical danger, which was real enough; he was however deeply hurt when the Duke of Cambridge, Queen Victoria's cousin, refused to shake hands with him and he was described in public as a Russian agent.
"I have to thank you cordially for the gratifying assurances contained in your letter . . . The statement to which it refers was wholly without foundation nor have my personal movements at any time been restrained or in any way affected by feeling entertained among any portion of the people. Last Sundaty however a crowd of some hundreds cane in a disorderly manner to my house, & alarmed my household with cries and uproar; some windows were broken, but after a short time the police got them entirely under restraint.
I cannot greatly blame these ignorant men. Their proceedings were I think due to the violent language of men in high station . . . It would be the greatest mistake to interpret a disorderly proceeding of this kind, and thus instigated, as exhibiting the sense of the nation. I have been compelled for eighteen months to pursue an active and prominent course on the Eastern Question; and at no period of a very long public life have I received such large varied and enthusiastic tokens of approval in all parts of England. This can only hasve been due to my having been an organ however feeble of the true sentiments of the people."
Some light foxing throughout, but perfectly clear and legible.
|
