me over the mass of mountains. I bade farewell
reluctantly to Balmoral, for it is as homelike as any place away
from home can be, and wonderfully safe from invasions. I had all
the grand mountains in view at once, with their snow caps; the
lowest, about the same as Snowdon. I came by the falls of the
Muich, which, after the rain, were very fine. I had an interesting
conversation with Princess Louise about the Queen this morning.

_Oct. 4._--Nothing sets me up in mind and body like a mountain
solitude, not even, perhaps, the sea. Walked from Balmoral to
Ballater, 15 miles, in 4 hrs. 5 m. 6.--Walked 20 miles in 5 hrs.
and 45 minutes. 7.--Walked 15 miles.--(_Diary._)

_To Mrs. Gladstone._

_Ainslie Place, Edinburgh, Oct. 8, 1871._--I got here last night
before seven, and had the most affectionate welcome from the dean
that you can conceive; a dinner-party followed, and now I have for
the _first time_ since the government was formed had a holiday of
two whole days. Last night the lord advocate tried to talk to me
about the Scotch endowed schools and I refused to have anything to
say to him. I have no time to write about my walk, beyond this,
that it was quite successful. The dean [Ramsay] preached at St.
John's this morning about Ruth. The sermon was beautiful, and the
voice and manner with his venerable age made it very striking. He
put an astonishing energy into it, and his clear melodious tones
rang through and through as they did when I first heard him 431/2
years ago. It was altogether most touching, and he told me
afterwards that he had wished to preach to me once more before he
died. But I rejoice to say his life seems a very good one. I would
not have missed the occasion for much.

_London, Oct. 27._--Went to Sir R. Murchison's funeral, the last of
those who had known me or of me from infancy. And so a step
towards the end is made visible. It was a great funeral. 28.--My
expedition to Greenwich, or rather, Blackheath. I spoke 1 h. 50
m.; too long, yet really not long enough for a full development of
my points. Physically rather an excess of effort. All went well,
thank God!--(_Diary._)

(M124) This speech at Blackheath was a fine illustration both of Mr.
Gladstone's extraordinary power, and of the sure respect of a British
audience for manful handling and firm dealing in a mi