4 DECEMBER 1936, Page 21

HENRY GLADSTONE

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR,—The papers at Hawarclen Castle contain abundant evidence in Mr. Wyllie's own writing that the facts of Henry Gladstone's recall from the Calcutta firm of Glad.stone,Wyllie and Company were as stated by me in my memoir, Gladstone of Hawarden, even though disputed by Miss Helen C. Stewart. Wyllie had never approved Henry Gladstone's admission to the firm on the ground that it was already overstaffed, and as soon as Robertson Gladstone (brother of the Prime Minister) was dead he recalled him from India. For Henry Gladstone's work in the firm he professed the highest regard. There is no more to it than that, and Miss Stewart need not feel called on to defend her father's honour for he does not enter the story and is not mentioned in my account. Towards the end of his life Mr. Wyllie acknowledged his mistake, and I can only regret that Miss Stewart has seen fit to query my plain record of fact in the manner of her letter.—I am, Sir, Ivon THOMAS. 16a John Street, Adelphi, W.C. 2.