ABSTRACT
William Ewart Gladstone’s combination of strength of body and strength of mind looks so impressive that the effect of strain on his health has often been under-estimated. Gladstone in the autumn of 1870 was a very different man from Gladstone in the autumn of 1868. Gladstone’s strong sense of the guilt of England in her relations with Ireland distressed his peace of mind whenever he was obliged to use force, or to resist any movement that was connected with her smarting sense of self respect. In 1860 and 1870 Gladstone was patient, considerate, full of hope and interest in a great effort at pacification. Gladstone’s conduct was a piece of completely disinterested injustice. Gladstone’s Government was faced from the first with the problem of order in Ireland. Gladstone’s own position lent itself to misunderstanding, increased by his gift for elaborate and subtle argument, but when it is examined it is perfectly clear.
