DEATH OF MR GLADSTONE.

Manawatu Herald, 21 May 1898, Page 2

DEATH OF MR GLADSTONE.

Mr Gladstone died at 5 o'clock on Thursday. The Government proposes to accord 1 the late Mr Gladstone a public funeral and also erect a monument, following the precedent in the case of the Earl of Chatham and William Pitt. At a public gathering on Thursday Sir Wm. Harcourt, the Duke of Devonshire and Mr Chamberlain made I speeches deploring the passing away I

of the greatest bf Englishmen. The Prince of Wales sent a. pathetic telegram of sympathy to the deceased statesman's family. President Faure and other political leaders on the Continent made repeated inquiries as to Mr Gladstone's condition. World-wide sympathy was expressed with the sufferer. An English paper of the 3rd April explains the disease the veteran statesman suffered from — Tha bulletin issued at Hawarden Castle last evening read as follows :— "Mr Gladstone had a fair night, and hai not complained of pain." "It is no news, we fear (says a contemporary), that Mr Gladstone's illness mast necessarily be fatal, and in a comparatively Bhorfc time. Bat he may yet live for many weeks, and it is hoped that the pain, which has latterly been so acute, may be kept under during the time that remains. Mr Gladstone is fully informed of hia own condition ; he asked the doctors to tell him the truth, and he was thankful when he wa« informed that there was no chance of recovery. It will be a comfort to all his friendß to know that his state of mind is one of complete happiness. His life goes on quite quietly and serenly. Music is still his great solace, and one of his family plays to him an hour or two before and after dinner every day. One of his chief delights at Bournemouth was in listening first to Lady Halle and her sister, and then to Mdlle. Janotha, who came on difLreut evenings and played to him at the villa. Nothing has seethed his pain so much as the ministrations of these kindly music* ians. I: is impossible to watch the last week* of the great veteran without a sense of the pathos and polf imiity of his passing, or of deep sympathy with the venerable lady who ha* shared his joys and his sorrows for so long a span of life, yet it is a happiness to know that, in the words of one who has seen him recently and seen him often, lii 3 own state oi mind is one of ' serene joy. 1 " President Krager has despatched ' a cablegram in English to Mr Glad- . stone, expressing the deepest syml patby with the veteran statesman in ] his great affliction, and trusting that the Lord will support and strengthen htm.