13 SEPTEMBER 1884, Page 14

MR. GLADSTONE IN SCOTLAND. [To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]

SIR,—Your description of Mr. Gladstone's progress in Scotland reminds me of Sir Walter Scott's words, in "Guy Mannering,"

—"It was one of those moments of intense feeling when the frost of the Scottish people melts like a snow-wreath, and the dissolving torrent carries dam and dyke before it." And the words of another of his great countrymen come to the memory as the poet's anticipation of Mr. Gladstone's really pathetic- remonstrance with the Peers, and his entreaty that they would. be warned before it was too late of the doom which threatens- them :—

" But, fare ye weel, auld Nickie-ben ! 0 wad ye tak' a thought an' men' !

Ye aiblins might—I dinna ken— Still hae a stake ; I'm wan to think upo' you den, Ev'n for your sake."