There is abundant room for a new study of Gladstone
such as Mr. Osbert Burdett has written (W. E. Gladstone. Constable. 12s. 6d.). Of late years much more attention has been given to his great rival Disraeli than to the " G.O.M.," as our fathers called him. Probably Lord Morley's too monumental Life killed the interest in Gladstone's personality ; the subject of it seemed to be a public institution rather than a human being. After a quarter of a century the would-be biographer of Gladstone may pluck up courage and assume that Morley's monopoly is past. Mr. Burdett's book is modest and reasonable in tone. It will not please surviving Gladstonians, for its dominant theme is Gladstone's lack of originality ; " he invariably followed the best accredited guides of his class and upbringing " ; he " had hardly more private opinions than the nymph Echo." Mr. Burdett's view at least explains why Disraeli, who was always original, has gained in reputation while Gladstone has been half forgotten.
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