Just a couple of anecdotes:~
Queen Victoria on Gladstone~
"He speaks to me as if I were a public meeting!"
Disraeli on Queen Victoria~ "When dealing with the aristocracy use flattery,when dealing with the Queen,lay it on with a trowel"
One of Queen Victoria's Ladies in Waiting:~
"At Dinner last night I sat next to Mr Gladstone,and by the end of the evening I thought he was the cleverest pesron in the world"
"The next evening I sat next to Mr Disraeli,and by the end of the evening I thought I was the cleverest person in the world".
Mr Gladstone spent MANY nights prowling the darkest recesses of London for " fallen women" to save,this somewhat soured his reputation.When the Queen was appraised of this situation she said "It does not surprise me".