ABSTRACT
Mr William Ewart Gladstone’s astonishing versatility of mind, the power of interesting himself in ancient Greece or in modem theology which relieves his political energy, was a source of wondering amusement to Fawcett’s strong, but comparatively limited, intellect. He was rather scandalised than amused by the singular subtlety and ingenuity in presenting unexpected interpretations of apparently plain doctrines which makes the history of Mr Gladstone’s opinions so curious a subject for the psychologist.” Gladstone’s strongest feeling was for the unity of the world, and he found this taught and symbolized by the Christian religion. God, after teaching the world a great deal about civilized life by Greek culture and Latin politics, had taught this supreme lesson of universal brotherhood by the Incarnation. For Gladstone saw in the world on one side power and violence, all the influences that divided mankind. He saw on the other the movement towards the moral unity of the world, based on mutual respect between peoples.
