MR. GLADSTONE'S ATTITUDE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume I, Issue 321, 3 May 1877, Page 4

MR. GLADSTONE'S ATTITUDE.

According to New York papers received by the San Francisco mail, Mr. Gladstone's attitude on the Eastern question is susceptible of an amusing explanation. A telegram from Paris, dated January 26, says :—" A strange story appeared yesterday in the Eejntblique Francaise, the organ of M. Gambetta and the Republican Left. Its correspondent gives a scandal in which the reputation of Mr. Gladstone is involved, and pretends to account for the position that he has taken in the Eastern difficulty by saying that he is anumreux. The eminent statesman is represented to be in the hands of a Russian princess of great beauty, who was charged with the delicate task of weaving her toils about a stateman of 60 years. The journal in quest : on states that Mr. Gladstone is now the object of public gossip, the grande dame Busse in question having boasted of her success, and stated that she had a number of compromising letters, It is certain that the lady, who is separated from her husband, an aide-da-isnap of the Grand Duke Nicholas, has btan for» year or more past one of the

diplomatic agents of Prince Gortsehakoff in London. Mr. Gladstone has been extremely assiduous in his attentions to her, nnd it is now said that it is owing to her influence that he turned against the Turks aiter having fought for them in 18J4. Between the two there have certainly been frequent exchange of letters, and the report is that the lady has some winch, do more honour to his heart than to his prudence. The rep-jrt first appeared in a journal of Sheffield, and the reply to it was not a little embarrassed, but contained a sort of denial. Whether or not there has been an indiscretion on the part of Mr. Gladstone is more than one can learn from the correspondence. It is insinuated, but not directly affirmed. But now that the story has appeared, the enemies of Mr. Gladstone will continue to believe that he wanted to drive the Turks out of Europe at the instigation of this Russian Ciic •, and that his remarkable change of policy was due to her sweet influence. Let me say here that the lady is as spirituelle as she is beautiful, and is one of those strange beings who st em born to profit by the weaknesses of men. Aux grands homines les grandes foiblesiss, says Prudhomme, and it is upon this principle that the wily Gortf ciakoff works when he sends out the most beautiful women of country as diplomatic agents."