The entrance
was now turned from the S. to the N. front--the turnpike road, which
passed in front of the house and along the Moat to the Village, having
been diverted in 1804--and the present Flower-garden constructed with the
old Thorn-tree in the centre. Quite recently has been added the block at
the N.W. angle of the house, containing Mr. Gladstone's Study, or, as he
calls it, the 'Temple of Peace.'
{House and Flower Garden: p27.jpg}
The most striking feature about this room is that (to use the phrase of a
writer in Harper's Magazine) it is built about with bookcases. Instead
of being ranged along the wall in the usual way, they stand out into the
room at right angles, each wide enough to hold a double row facing either
way. Intervals are left sufficient to give access to the books, and Mr.
Gladstone prides himself upon the economy of space obtained by this
arrangement. His Library numbers near 20,000 volumes, many of which have
overflowed into adjoining rooms, where they are similarly stored. Of
this number Theology claims a large proportion; Homer, Dante, {28a} and
Shakespeare also have their respective departments, and any resident
visitor is at liberty, on entering his or her name in a book kept for the
purpose, to borrow any volume at pleasure. Three writing-tables are
seen. At one Mr.
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