Visit to Mr Gladstone.

Manawatu Herald, 31 August 1897, Page 3

Visit to Mr Gladstone.

» ■ The visit paid by the Colonial Premiers to Hawarden was a complete saces*. It was made part, says tbe Daily Chronicle, of a charming visit to Lord Carrington's Welsh aeat ( Gwydyr Castle, Llanrwst, Hawarden being then on the way. The colonial party consisted of Sir Wifrid Laurier, Mr Reid, Mr Seddon, and Sir Lewis Davies, who were accompanied by Lord and Lady Cirrington and the Hon Judith Harbort. The stay at Hawarden listed an hour and a half, and concluded with tea in the castle and a drive to tbe station, to which Mr Gladstone insisted on accompanying tiem. The great man was in his most expanding and delightful mood and he received his visitors with affectionate warmth, showed them the treasures of his house, and talked to them of their and his youth, aod of the great men and events of fie colonies with a voice and a memory that never failed. The Cinadian rebellion, the early Australian settlements, Lord John Russel, whom he thought much under-praised, 0' Connel, whom he called a great statesman as well as a great wit, and of whom he told gome charming stories— all formed part of the flow of talk to which his hearers listened enraptured. To Sir Wilfrid Laurier he paid a courtly compliment. "I am glad to name myself a follower of yours," he said, Mr Reid he congratulated on his Freetrade policy, and he had many a pleasant word to say to Mr Seddon of Sir George Grey and old New Zealand days. The vigour, the learning, the charm of the old man ■was the theme of all his guests.