William Gladstone Autograph Letter Signed

William Gladstone Autograph Letter Signed  - a four-sided letter hand-written and signed by British Liberal statesman William Gladstone who served as Prime Minister four separate times. The letter is dated 14 September 1847 and is addressed from his father's home Farque in the village of Feltercairn in Scotland. It shows his great interest in both church matters and in politics, putting a strong pitch in for a Mr Alex Forbes in a local diocesan election

It reads (in part): "Our Episcopal Communion has an importance in the Christian world far above its magnitude. - we want for Bishops men of a saintlike character who also possess ability, knowledge of the world and comprehensiveness of mind. All these qualities I think are closely united in Mr Forbes and I believe he would be nothing less than a treasure and a blessing to this church. If you know Mr Forbes, I feel very confident you will be of my mind about him."

Signed letter measures 7 x 4.5 inches. One horizontal and one vertical correspondence fold. One tiny split at the bottom of the fold but otherwise in very good condition.