We found him in his private sitting room with a cup of coffee before him and a morning newspaper in his hand.

Fifteen years had made a great change in his appearance.

He had become stouter and broader shouldered.

His thin hair was turned gray, and his large eyes and magnificent brow reminded me of Daniel Webster.
He received me cordially, and we spent half an hour in conversation about the difficulties that seemed to be obstructing an amicable settlement of the Alabama controversy.

Mr.Gladstone appeared to be puzzled about a recent belligerent speech delivered by Mr.Charles Sumner in our Senate chamber, and I was glad to give him a hint or two in regard to some of our eloquent Senator's idiosyncrasies.