“Hawarden Castle, Nov. 7th, 1885. “The idea of a Latin inscription crossing my mind amidst the perplexities of the stories about disestablishment[45] disturbed me much. Why should there be an inscription beyond the date of the re-erection? I quite agree that whatever there is should be in Latin. It might be put on at a later date as well as now. There is certainly the gallant malediction of Scott to commemorate; but I should be glad to know what has passed through your mind as to the substance before considering the form. “I go to Dalmeny on Monday and we will consider about a day for the opening.” The new Cross was finished in 1885, and dedicated in November of that year. Mr. Gladstone then wrote to me: “10, Downing Street, Feb. 12th, 1886. “DEAR MR. MITFORD, “I send the draft for the balance due on account of the Mercat Cross, and have in addition only to repeat my thanks to you personally for your most efficient aid and to express my satisfaction with the manner in which this high class work has been executed. “I will write to Mr. Mitchell. “Yours most faithfully, (_Signed_) “W. E. GLADSTONE.” The last time that I saw Mr. Gladstone to speak to was on a fine summer’s day in 1886. I had gone over to Downing Street to see his private secretary, Mr. (now Sir Henry) Primrose on business connected with my resignation. When we had finished our talk he said that he was sure that Mr. Gladstone would like to see me. The great Prime Minister was sitting in the little garden reading, but got up and bade me welcome with all the gracious courtesy which distinguished him. He was most kind and sympathetic, talking much of Lord Redesdale, whose page he had been at the Eton Montem when my cousin was in Sixth form and he a lower boy. Many a time and oft did I listen to his speeches in aftertimes, sitting opposite to him in the House of Commons, but never again did I hear his voice in the privacy of personal conversation. He was one of those great men whom to have known is a valuable privilege. If I have dwelt longer on the story of the Mercat Cross than the subject itself might justly warrant, it must be ascribed to that pride which the dwarf of our childhood’s tales felt when he marched out to war side by side with the giant. CHAPTER XXXVII BATSFORD, AND THE HOUSE OF COMMONS