STRANGE REPORT ABOUT GLADSTONE.

Inangahua Times, Volume IV, Issue 7, 25 April 1877, Page 2

STRANGE REPORT ABOUT GLADSTONE.

(-NEW YOKK TIMES.) Pabis, January 2&— A story appeared here yesterday in the Bepublique Francaise, the organ of M. Gambetta and the Bepublican Left. Its correspondent gives a scandal in which the reputation, of Mr Gladstone is involved, and pretends to account for the position tbat he has taken in the eastern difficulty by saying that he is amoureux. The eminent statesman is represented to be in, the. bands of a Russian Princess of great beauty, who was charged with the delicate task of weaving ber toils about a statesman of 60; years. The journal in question states tbat Mr Gladstone is now the object of pablic gossip, the. grande dame Bu g cin question having boasted

of her success and stated that she had a number of compromising letters. It is certain that the lady, who ia separated from her husband, an aide*? de-camp of the Grand Duke Nicholas, bas been for a year or more past one of the diplomatic agents of Prince Gorcsehafcoff in London. ]klr Gladstone has been extremely assiduouß ia his attentions to her, and it is said thai it ia Qwing to her influence that he* turned against the Turks after having fought for them in 1964. Between the two there have certainly been frequent exchanges of letters, and tbe report ia that the lady has some which do mora honor to his heart than to hii prudence. The report first appeared in a journal of Sheffield; and the reply to it was not a little embarrassed, bnt contained a sort of denial. Whether or not there has been an indiscretion on tbe part of Mr Gladstone is more than one can learn from the correspondence*. It _* insinuated but not directly affirmed. Bat now that the story has appeared the enemies of Mr Gladstone will continue to believe tbat he wanted to, drive the Turks oat of Europe at the instigation of this Russian Circe, and that bis remarkable change of policy was due to her sweet influence. Let me say here that the lady is aa spirituelle as she is beautiful, aod ia one of those strange beings who seem, born to profit by the weakness of men.. ** Auz grands hommes les grandee foiblesses," says Prudhomme, and it ia upon this principle that the wilyGortscbakoff works when he sends ont, the most beantifnl women of his. country as diplomatic agents.