ck with the old man's abilities. "Mr. Gladstone would
have been successful in any undertaking or any pursuits--a man fitted to
grapple with the highest subjects."

From that period much intercourse took place between the Premier and our
Dean. There are mutual visits between Hawarden and Edinburgh, and I find
a good deal of correspondence between them; at least I find the letters
on one side. The Dean preserved Mr. Gladstone's letters, but the
counterparts are probably not preserved. One-sided as they are, the
little packet in my hand, of letters from the great Statesman to the
rural clergyman is not without interest. The correspondence has been
friendly, frank and confidential, the writers often differing in
immaterial things, but showing the same liberality in "Church and
State;" so that we are not surprised to find, when the time came, that
of the friends, the churchman approved of Irish disestablishment as
heartily as the layman who was its author.

Right Hon. W.E. GLADSTONE to DEAN RAMSAY.

10 Downing Street, Whitehall, Jan. 20, 1869.

My dear Dean Ramsay--I need not tell you I am no fit judge of
your brother's claims, but I shall send your letter
privately to the First Lord, who, I am sure, will give it an
impartial and friendly consideration.

Pray remember me to the Admiral, and be assured it will give
me sincere pleasure if your wish on his behalf can be
gratified.

I write from Hawarden, but almost _en route_ for London, and
the arduous work before us.

My mind is cheerful, and even sanguine about it.

I wish I had some chance or hope of seeing you, and I remain
affectionately yours, W.E. GLADSTONE.

The Bishop of Salisbury has been for days at the point of death. He is
decidedly better, but cannot recover. Let him have a place in
your prayers.

Windsor Castle, June 24, 1871.

My dear Dean Ramsay--The attraction of the Scott Centenary to
Edinburgh is strong, and your affectionate invitation makes
it stronger still. I do not despair of being free, and if
free, I mean to use my freedom, so as to profit by both. At
the same time the delays and obstructions to business have
been so formidable that I must not as yet presume to forecast
the time when I may be able to escape from London, and
therefore I fear I must draw upon your indulgence to allow me
some delay. The session may last