Daniel O'Connell.
Mr. Gladstone was, like Wellington and Brougham, a writer of innumerable letters. There was a demand for them once, but at the present moment, by the irony of fate, an average Gladstone letter fetches less than one of his wife. Special circumstances, however, may give them special value. This is exemplified in the case of the Gladstone-Manning correspondence written from Balmoral, which I found at Brighton. The introduction of the economical and space-saving postcard spoiled Gladstone as a letter-writer in his old age. Here is a typical letter of his, relating to the present of a bust of O'Connell and interesting at the present political juncture:—
Mr. Gladstone to Mrs. O'Connell.
10 Downing Street January 28. 1882.
My dear Madam,—I accept with many thanks the Bust you have been so kind to send me. It is a most interesting memorial of early days, and of a man of powerful mind and will, and profound attachment to his Country; whose name can never be forgotten there.
In my early years of Parliamentary life, casual circumstances brought me into slight personal relations with Mr. O'Connel, and I have ever retained the lively recollection of his courtesy and kindness.
I remain, my dear Madam, your very faithful and obedient,
W. E. Gladstone.
I must not omit to thank you for the kind terms in which you speak of my efforts on behalf of Ireland, and I cling in that confidence to the hope that a happy future is yet in store for her.