One hundred years ago
We observe with pleasure that in the Liberal meetings which are taking place in the provinces, a good deal of atten- tion is devoted to the dead-set made by the Tories against Mr Gladstone per- sonally, and especially to the un- precedented character of Lord Salisbury's attacks upon him. At New Barnet, for instance, in a very en- thusiastic Liberal meeting last week, one of the speakers, the Rev J. Matthews, dwelt on this curious sign of the times through a considerable part of a very able speech, expressing his fear that the acrimonious character of the personal criticism levelled at Mr Gladstone might break down his health, as Canning's health under similar circumstances was broken down by a mixture of public anx- iety and heavy personal obloquy. The people, said Mr Matthews, ought to show the Prime Minister that their gratitude to him and confidence in him, instead of being diminished by this oblo- quy, were only increased by it.
Spectator, 8 April 1882
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