1890 LETTEE EEOM ME. GLADSTONE 235 



one away empty and cold ; which means that it is 

 genuine poetry. We do not get on very fast ; but 

 we are better here than in London, and the place is 

 pleasant. 



Please remember us all to Mrs. Eomanes. Mary 

 sends a very special remembrance. 



Yours faithfully, 



K. W. Church. 



From the Bt. Hon. W. E. Gladstone. 



Hawarden. 



Dear Mr. Eomanes, — You have sent me an 

 acceptable gift, and a most considerate note ; con- 

 siderate as regards me, but not, I fear, as respects 

 yourself ; for you have made your appeal to an incom- 

 petent judge. I do not think I possess, though I 

 have always coveted, the gift of song, and I am not a 

 qualified judge of those who have it. 



But in your case there can surely be neither 

 difficulty nor doubt. I came home on Saturday 

 evening and found a book awaiting me with prior 

 personal claims, which has taken up most of the 

 short time since my arrival. It does not, however, 

 I think, require much time to learn from your book 

 whether you have or have not the poetic gift. Before 

 many minutes had passed the affirmation, I will not 

 say dawned, but glared, upon me. 



I am very glad that you have proceeded to its 

 further exercise. I can see no good reason why a 

 man of science should not be a poet. Lord Bacon 

 surely shows in his Essays that he had the poet in 

 him. It all depends upon the way of going about it, 



