Page:Wives of the prime ministers, 1844-1906.djvu/227

MRS. GLADSTONE for her husband at Oxford, she was described as a "potent canvasser." At Newcastle in 1862 she told a friend that it had been the happiest day of her life, while her husband averred: "Catherine is a great part of the whole business everywhere," and twenty years later she said, "I shall never forget that day! It was the first time that he was received as he deserved to be."

Sometimes she would herself receive his callers on business and usher them into the library. Indeed, she shielded him from all the cares and worries that it was possible for her to take on herself. She looked after his health, and in her powers as physician Gladstone had an intense confidence. He often consulted his wife when there were difficulties between Ministers, and averred that her mother-wit often hit on a solution. Even in comparatively small matters she sought to save him physical fatigue. Every one who has held any kind of public office knows the pain incurred in shaking hands with hundreds of people. Mr. Gladstone used to stiffen his hand and to place his thumb against the palm so that people could not grasp it, but even so when his wife thought he had gone through enough fatigue of the kind, standing close behind him she would thrust her 191