THE TWO MR. GLADSTONES

by G. T. Garratt ‧ RELEASE DATE: N/A

The author expresses his intention of chosing from source material ""such features of Gladstone's long and complicated life as have left their mark upon our institutions and upon the minds and outlook of our people."" Important events dismissed with a phrase, so that an understanding reading of this volume necessitates a fairly exact background of English and European history of the period. The author rather over emphasizes Gladstone's dualism for the sake of his title. ""Mr. Liverpool"" -- the shrewd, ambitious politician, robust, sanguine, mildly cynical, with a business man's sense of property. ""Mr. Oxford"" -- ascetic scholar, High Churchman with a love of deep theological arguments. ""Mr. Liverpool"" chiefly holds the field, though ""Mr. Oxford"" occasionally butts in, and perhaps was victor at the end. The book is well knit, well written, not without a sense of humor, rich in illuminating obiter dicta. A worthwhile addition to a voluminous Gladstone literature. Interesting side-lights with the former; the picture of the Queen as a Meddlesome Mattie given to going to Disraeli behind Gladstone's back when Gladstone was in office. Not a book for wide sale, but for the students of the Victorian era.

Pub Date: N/A

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Macmillan

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 15, 1937

Categories: NONFICTION