ust and heat and blast and strain, before I pass into the unseen
world. But perhaps this is a form of self-love. For the last three
and a half years I have been passing through a political
experience which is, I believe, without example in our
parliamentary history. I profess to believe it has been an
occasion when the battle to be fought was a battle of justice,
humanity, freedom, law, all in their first elements from the very
root, and all on a gigantic scale. The word spoken was a word for
millions, and for millions who for themselves cannot speak. If I
really believe this, then I should regard my having been morally
forced into this work as a great and high election of God. And
certainly I cannot but believe that He has given me special gifts
of strength on the late occasion, especially in Scotland.... Three
things I would ask of God over and above all the bounty which
surrounds me. This first, that I may escape into retirement. This
second, that I may speedily be enabled to divest myself of
everything resembling wealth. And the third--if I may--that when God
calls me He may call me speedily. To die in church appears to be a
great euthanasia, but not at a time to disturb worshippers. Such
are some of an old man's thoughts, in whom there is still
something that consents not to be old.

Among the other books that he had been reading was the biography of one of
the closest of his friends, and in the last hours of this _annus
mirabilis_ he writes:--

Read the _Life of Bishop Wilberforce_. It is indeed an edifying
book. I knew him, admired him, loved him living. But the laying
out of his full character from early days onwards tells me much I
did not know, and lifts upwards my conception of him both in
greatness and in goodness.

Chapter VII. The Eve Of The Battle. (1879)

Perhaps no man has ever had a mighty influence over his fellows
without having the innate need to dominate, and this need usually
becomes the more imperious in proportion as the complications of
life make Self inseparable from a purpose which is not
selfish.--GEORGE ELIOT.

I

It is interesting to get what light we may on Mr. Gladstone's frame of
mind between his first astounding triumph in Midlothian and the crowning
mercy of the general election. In October he had written to his son Henry
in India as to the