EVIDENCE AND EXAMPLES. 73 



impassioned temperament in marked degree. Of all 

 popular errors, it cannot too often be repeated, this is 

 perhaps the greatest that incessant action and rousing 

 rhetoric betoken an impassioned nature. It may be 

 well to note also that clear cold restrained reason is not 

 infrequently compatible with deep feeling. 



Of the elements which combine to form a strong 

 character, intellectual power is the first in importance 

 not energy, not persistence, not will. It is this 

 power which determines the depth and enduringness of 

 a man's impress on his fellows, and this power is 

 always associated with weighty and well-organised 

 brain. Brain is fundamental; in Mr. Gladstone it is a 

 large foundation, and on it is built a lofty edifice. 

 Added to his unusual mental gifts are ceaseless activity, 

 never-failing rhetoric, a self-confidence and especially 

 a self-will rarely equalled. Above all, there is an over- 

 mastering desire for predominance, but a desire which 

 is always linked with earnest striving for his ideal of 

 the public good. 



A man's endowments are more or less beyond the 

 control of the will ; in his propensities volition plays, 

 or seems to play, no little part. .Mr. Gladstone's en- 

 dowments are, in immense degree, intellectual power, 

 activity and speech. Most strong natures express 

 themselves in but few propensities, and these usually 

 in unequal strength. There are first and second and 

 perhaps third propensities. Mr. Bright's foremost 

 propensity was to advance the social and political 

 good of the less fortunate classes. Beyond all doubt 

 Mr. Gladstone's first propensity is for religion. In 

 any possible conflict with the world,, or the flesh, or the 

 devil, Mr. Gladstone's religion would come out triumph- 

 ant with the flesh, indeed, the incessantly active 

 temperament has but little difficulty. 



