ABSTRACT
The judgment pronounced by the organ of advanced German opinion on the character of Mr. Gladstone was not merely that he was a demagogue, but that he was a quack and a hypocrite. At Gladstone's death, when party passions had subsided, there was a virtual unanimity as to the essential nobleness of his character. Few great Englishmen present so many points of contrast with Mr. Gladstone as Oliver Cromwell. In spite of the undoubted contrast, they were both typical Englishmen, and, in one fundamental respect at least, they had none the less in common for belonging to such different types. Both were men of action, and both were essentially religious. While an apostle may exercise the gift of prophecy, ignoring the logical demands of the carnal mind, compare spiritual things with spiritual, the ordinary man of action, and more the statesman, must have principles and attempt to be consistent.
