in Downing Street.
Left my keys behind me. Somehow it makes a void. _July 19._--H. of
C. Made a little dying speech on reform. _Sept. 14_--. Woburn.
Morning _sederunt_ with Lord Russell and Brand on reform and other
matters. We agreed neither to egg on the government nor the
reverse.

(M61) Turbulent scenes had already occurred in the metropolis, and it
speedily became evident that whatever value the workmen might set on the
franchise for its own sake, they would not brook the refusal of it. They
chose Mr. Gladstone for their hero, for, as a good observer remarked, he
was the first official statesman who had convinced the working classes
that he really cared for them. On the occasion of one popular assemblage
the crowd thronged (June 28) to Carlton House Terrace, shouting for
Gladstone and liberty. The head of the house was away. Police officers
sent up word to Mrs. Gladstone that the multitude would speedily disperse
if she would appear for a moment or two on the balcony. In compliance with
their request and for the public convenience, she appeared, and all passed
off. The incident was described by newspapers that ought to have known
better, as the ladies of his family courting an ovation from persons of
the lowest class. Mr. Gladstone was compared to Wilkes and Lord George
Gordon. With characteristic tenacity he thought it worth while to
contradict the story, but not in the columns where the offensive tale had
been invented. In July, declining an invitation to speak at a
demonstration in Hyde Park Mr. Gladstone said he believed the resignation
of the government to be a fresh and important step towards final success.
"In the hour of defeat I have the presentiment of victory."

An interesting glimpse of Mr. Gladstone in the height of these
distractions is given in a passage from the diaries of Mr. Adams, still
the American minister:--(147)

_Thursday, 7th June 1866._--The other evening at the Queen's ball
Mrs. Gladstone asked me as from her husband, to come to breakfast
this morning, at the same time that Colonel Holmes,(148) was
invited.... I decided to go. I found no cause to regret the
decision, for the company was very pleasant. The Duke and Duchess
of Argyll, Lord Lyttelton, Lord Houghton, Lord Frederick Cavendish
with his wife, and one of his uncles, and several whom I did not
know. I forgot Lord Dufferin. We sat at two round tables, thus
dividing the