Show Gladstone's Earnestness John Morley in his life of Gladstone tells how the latter received d his first invitation from Queen Victoria to form a ministry It was in 1868 He writes On the afternoon of Dec 1 he received at Hawarden the communication communication com com- from Windsor I was standing by him says Mr Evelyn Ashley holding his coat on my arm while he in his shirt sleeves was wielding an ax to cut down a tree Up came a telegraph messenger He took the telegram opened it and read it then handed it to me speaking only two words Very significant and at once resumed his his work The message merely stated stater that Gen Grey would arrive that evening from Windsor This of course Implied that thata a mandate was coming from the queen charging Mr Gladstone with the form formation tion of his first g government After a few minutes the blows ceased and Mr Gladstone resting on the handle handle han han- dle dIe of his ax looked up and with deep earnestness in his voice and with great intensity in his face exclaimed My My mission Is to pacify Ireland He then resumed his task and and never said another word till the tree was was down II l J T c. c t l |