78 Four-in-Hand in Britain. 



for such a man can have no ill-wishers, surely. When 

 Confucius had determined to behead the emperor's 

 corrupt brother, his counsellors endeavored to dis- 

 suade him, from a just fear that the criminal's friends 

 would rise and avenge his death. " Friends ! " said the 

 sage, " such a character may have adherents, but friends 

 never." The result proved his wisdom. No revolt came, 

 though Confucius stood by to see justice done, refusing 

 to listen to the petition of the emperor for his own 

 brother's life. In like manner, Mr. ^Gladstone may 

 have opponents — enemies never. All Englishmen must 

 in their hearts honor the man who is a credit to the 

 race. By the way, he's Scotch, let me note, and never 

 fails to bear in mind and to mention this special cause 

 for thankfulness. I suspect that this fact has not a lit- 

 tle to do with the intense enthusiasm of Scotland for 

 him. We are a queer lot, up in the North Countrie, 

 and he is our ain bairn. Blood is thicker than water 

 everywhere, but in no part of this w^orld is it so very 

 much thicker as beyond the Tweed. 



We attended church at Windsor and saw the great 

 man and the Prince come to the door together. There 

 the former stopped and the other walked up the aisle, 

 causing a flutter in the congregation. Mr. Gladstone 

 followed at a respectful distance, and took his seat 

 several pews behind. How absurd you are, my young 

 lady republican ! Can you not understand ? One is 

 only the leading man in the empire — a man who, in a 



