A Great Man Facing Defeat.
Mr. Gladstone, one of the greatest of Englishmen, and a man who has seen comparatively few of his plans of state succeed, is said to be personally disliked by Queen Victoria. For years he had worked hard upon a plan having for its object the benefit of Ireland and Irish farmers and tenants. Seven years ago all of his plans were frustrated. While his great policy was being wrecked, he sat in the library of the House of Commons and read the words of a famous opera. Some friends finding him there, expressed amazement. But this act of the great minister did not indicate indifference. It showed, rather, a tension that sought relief in order to avoid worse effects. For when spoken to he said, with a voice full of pathos, "For the past five years I have rolled this stone patiently up hill, and it has now rolled to the bottom again; and I am eighty-one years old."
At Least one Faithful Hearer.
A famous Church of England bishop had a dog named Watch. Once, as Watch lay by the open door, the prelate read the Bible passage, "What I say unto you I say unto you all—Watch!" The dog sprang up, and coming forward, lay down by the reading-desk.
"One hearer attends my words, at least," mused the bishop.
