A PEACEFUL PERIOD.
Of the long silence that followed, extending from the third of August,
1840, to the tenth of June, 1844, Miss J. thus speaks:--
"That Christ is The Lord of Lords unto Whom all power is given in
Heaven and on earth, nothing can more clearly imply than the
circumstances connected with this Portion of my Diary. The Duke's
last letter had decidedly declared he would write no more, and his
character is too well known by the World for such to conclude he
would not act up to his word and determination. But since 'IT IS
WRITTEN' 'The King's Heart is in the Hands of the Lord as the
rivers of water, He turneth it which way soever he pleaseth,' _so_
likewise ALL hearts. Consequently when _The Lord's_ time came for
proving to him the folly of forming such a rash resolution, he
writes accordingly, and that too at a moment when I least expected
it, so long a period having elapsed in silence. Nor do I, as he
therein specifies, recollect requesting him to answer that any more
than other letters from time to time forwarded as the Lord
condescendingly influenced me, however solicitous I was for their
safety. I continued to hope that their contents would eventually be
permitted to lead him to feel the emptiness and nothingness of all
earthly grandeur, in comparison with the enjoyment of a Crown of
Glory."
What induced the Duke to reopen the correspondence is hard to
determine; but the interchange of letters was soon as regular as ever.
June 10, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received all your letters, including one
written yesterday, the 9^th Ins^t; and I am very sensible of your
kindness in giving me so continually such good Counsel.
I did not write to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters;
because you did not express a wish that I should do so clearly
till you wrote this last.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
LONDON, June 14, 1844.
At night.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received your letter of this day's date;
and I am very much obliged to you for your kindness in the
expression of an Interest about my Health. I am thank God! as
well as I was twenty years ago, and no longer feel any
Inconvenience from the Injury at that time done to my left Ear:
excepting that I don't hear by the use of it, as I do by that of
the other.
I hope that you are quite well.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
LONDON, June 18, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have to express to you my Gratitude for two
very kind letters since I wrote to you last; the one of the
15^th, the other of the 17^th Ins^t.
Nothing can be more satisfactory to me than to read the
statements which you write of the Interest you take in my
Welfare; and I beg you to believe me
Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"As this book only admits of my referring to the Duke's letters in
order to distinguish them and thereby secure their future safety I
only occasionally introduce one wholly; therefore state that the
next dated June 20th is an acknowledgment of others received by
him."
LONDON, June 21, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I am much obliged to you for your Letter of
yesterday evening. It is true that I made no observations upon
the Domestick Details which your former Letter contained: nor
upon your opinion on the Inmates of the Houses in which you had
been visiting.
My object in writing to you was to thank you for the kind
Interest which you had not ceased to feel for my welfare; and
which you have expressed with so much sincerity. I am very
grateful to you; and I hope that I do not fail in expressing what
I feel.
It is true! You are quite right my Time and attention are much
occupied by the Publick Duties which I have engaged to perform,
and I have very Little of the leisure to write upon subjects upon
which I can have but an imperfect knowledge.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"I presume by a portion of the Duke's next letter dated June 22nd,
1844, that I had expressed uneasiness concerning some of mine
reaching him, as he writes--'If you should have any apprehension of
your letters not reaching me, you have only not to sign them. I
know your handwriting perfectly and moreover should know from their
purport that they could come from you alone.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 24th, he writes; 'You are
very kind my dear Miss J. in writing to me so frequently. I have to
thank you for two letters received, the last on this morning. I
assure you that I am very sensible of the constant interest which
you feel in my welfare.'
"The portion about to be copied in the Duke's next letter dated
June 26th requires some explanation on my part previously, as it
refers to a short separation which took place between my dear
friend Mrs. L. and myself--arising from a circumstance that wounded
me concerning a letter which interfered with my gratifying a
request therein made by my dear Father before his death.
"'I am much concerned likewise to learn that you do not feel
yourself on the same satisfactory terms as usual with your old
friend Mrs. L. I regret this, because the Impression on my mind is,
that she was your friend and that you were much attached to her. I
hope therefore that before long that confidence in your mind will
revive and that you will return to your old Habits of friendly
intercourse with that lady which were heretofore so satisfactory to
you.'
"These remarks on the part of the Duke had the desired effect and
my intimacy with Mrs. L. was speedily renewed.
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 28th, 1844, he writes--'I am
happy to learn that you are likely to be reconciled to Mrs. L. It
is impossible that you should be otherwise than of a forgiving
temper and disposition, particularly as I hope in this Case no
voluntary cause for Irritation could have been given.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 1st he writes--'I am
delighted to hear that you have renewed your old relations with
Mrs. L. which I am convinced will prove satisfactory to you.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 3rd he writes--'I beg that
you will have no scruple about writing to me on any paper, or at
the moment most agreeable to you. I am aware of your occupations,
that you write as well as read a great deal, that you write your
thoughts as they occur to you, and that you do not attend to
penmanship or Hand writing which however I assure you that I peruse
with the greatest facility and always with satisfaction on account
of the great interest which you express for my welfare.'"
LONDON, July 6, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received regularly and have thanked you
I believe for all the kind Letters which you have written to me,
excepting one commenced on Wednesday night, and finished on
thursday which reached me yesterday afternoon: and another
commenced thursday afternoon which I received last night. I thank
you for them all; you are most kind in writing to me: I beg you
not to scruple about telling me what you think and feel. I can
read your hand writing with great facility; particularly by day
light, and I feel your kindness for me; and all that you express.
The Publick Duties in which I am employed occupy most of my Time:
but knowing that it is satisfactory to you to receive a Note from
me, I do not omit to write to you whenever I hear from you; as
soon as the opportunity of doing so is afforded to me.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"The next letter from the Duke is dated July 10th, 1844, wherein he
writes--'Your two letters reached me on Monday night. As I was
occupied all day yesterday by the marriage of my Son [Endnote 3] it
was not in my power to write to you and thank you for your letters,
which I do now and for your continued kindness to me.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 12th he writes--'It is true
that my time is much occupied by the various public duties which I
have to perform and that it frequently occurs that I am under the
necessity of postponing to thank you for your kindness and
continued interest for my welfare. But you may rely upon it that
however I may fail or rather delay to make my acknowledgments I
feel your kindness and your expressions of it.'"
LONDON, July 15, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have to thank you for a very kind Letter
commenced on friday evening and ended on Saturday; which I
received on that night. I think that I answered in a former
letter all the queries which you had stated in yours?
But if I have been mistaken and you will let me know on what
subject I will write upon it upon the first occasion.
I beg you not to attend to Interruptions at least so as to annoy
you. I should not perceive such in your letters: which are
invariably uniform in the expression of a kind Interest in my
Welfare of which as well as of your kind expressions I am very
sensible.
As I was going into Divine Service yesterday morning; a gentleman
who met me told me that it had been reported on the previous day
that I had met with a serious accident.
As this false report might reach and would annoy you; I avail
myself of the first opportunity of telling you that I thank God!
there is not the slightest foundation for it. I have met with no
accident and have not been better for twenty Years than I am at
this moment.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"In the Duke's next letter of July 19th he writes; 'I hope that you
will continue to write to me all that you feel and think. I cannot
express to you how grateful I am for your anxiety for my welfare.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 24th he writes--'I am very
much obliged to you for your continued anxiety for my welfare and I
read with pleasure your expressions of kind interest for me.'"
LONDON, July 27, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--Since I last wrote to you; I have received one
letter from you of the 24^th and two of the 25^th for all of
which; and your continued kindness I thank you. I am very
sensible of the freedom with which you write to me and tell me
all that occurs to your Mind.
I do not yet know at what time the parliament will be prorogued:
I should think in the end of August.
Notwithstanding the continued attendance; I continue thank God!
as well as ever.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 31st he writes doubtlessly in
reply to some enquiry on my part--'It is impossible for me to say
at what period Parliament will be prorogued. I thank you for the
beautiful lines which you have sent me.'"
LONDON, August 10, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--Many days have elapsed since I have been able
to write you; but I have been again at Windsor Castle, upon the
occasion of the Queen's confinement; and have besides been much
occupied in Parl^t and elsewhere. I have received and thank you
for your letters, the last received having been commenced on the
4^th and ended on thursday morning the 8^th. I am very sensible
of your kindness in writing to me; notwithstanding that you had
not heard from me.
I hope you are assured that when I do not write the cause is that
I am much occupied and not that I am insensible or less sensible
of your kindness.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"In the Duke's next letter dated Aug. 12th he writes--'I have just
now received your kind letter written yesterday Morning, the 11th,
and according to your desire I do not delay to acknowledge the
receipt thereof as I understand that you are going out of Town to
morrow.'
"The next letter of the Duke's of Aug. 14th--'I am sorry to hear
that you do not feel very well but hope the Indisposition will be
but short. The weather has been and still continues very bad and is
but little inviting for a journey.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Aug. 16th 'I am very sorry indeed
to learn that any of your letters have been returned from the House
to the Post Office opened and sent back to you. I have frequently
told you to beware of the weight of your letters and to take care
that each of them had upon it the proper stamp, etc. You who do not
trouble yourself with the affairs of this world can form no idea of
the extent of the occupation of those whose duty it is to attend to
them.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated Aug. 22nd he writes 'I have been
out of Town at Portsmouth and at Oxford with the Prince of Prussia
since I wrote to you.'" [Endnote 4]
LONDON, Sept. 2, 1844.
Morning.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I write to you now as I am under the necessity
of going out of Town to Windsor Castle from whence I shall not be
permitted to return till late on Wednesday.
I found a crowd around my horses after I quitted you on Saturday
and I was followed away by the same persons who had followed me
to your part of the Town.
I enclose what I told you that I would send you; it appears to me
to be a good likeness, judging from the recollection of other
Busts.
I will write to you as soon as I am certain at what time I can
call upon you.
Ever Yours most faithfully,
WELLINGTON.
Miss J. writes in her Diary for this date:
"The Duke told me that a _boy_ from his _own_ door called after
him, attracting others accordingly all the way. This annoyed him
particularly on my account, as he was aware of my objection to
notice, notwithstanding that I was at the time under Mrs. L.'s
roof, where all the visits referred to took place and under her
protection."
Of the picture to which the Duke refers, Miss J. thus writes, after his
death:--
"This was his own Picture in wax, made by himself and was an
impression conveying a striking resemblance. It is made upon one of
his own Cards, cut in _half_. On this is engraved 'Field M. The
Duke of ----.' How this valuable Article is eventually to be
disposed of, I wait upon The Lord of Lords, who permitted it to be
bestowed upon me, to point out. He must determine whether it is to
be sent to the British Museum, as a remembrance of one who in His
Hands was permitted to become the preserver of our nation, or to be
disposed of for the propagation of Christianity among the Jews in
whom I am so deeply interested. Whichever it may be I trust that
His Holy Name will be magnified, on account of its having been
bestowed on one so devoted to the poor Duke's everlasting welfare,
during the last eighteen years of his life,--his _eventful_ life!"
LONDON, Sept. 6, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I did not return from Windsor Castle till late
on Wednesday. I was in the field with the Troops yesterday
Morning; in the House of Lords from one o'clock till the
Parliament was prorogued and in the Public Offices till between
six & seven in the evening. Now I am about to return to Windsor
Castle this afternoon for the Christening of the Infant Prince
and I shall not return till night or possibly to-morrow. Here
they are crying out for me in the levee Robes. Under these
Circumstances I cannot fix a time at which I could go to pay you
a visit.
Ever Yours most faithfully,
WELLINGTON.
The infant prince here referred to was Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh.
LONDON, Sept. 7, 1844.
Morning.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I write you thus early; as I see clearly that
it will not be possible for me to go to see you this day.
I did not reach Home from Windsor Castle last night; till after
half past twelve, and I am now required to go into the Cinque
Portes.
Continue to direct to My House in London. I shall be back in a
few days.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"In a letter of Sept. 9th the Duke writes from Walmer; 'My duty has
obliged me to come to this part of the Country. I will return to
London as soon as it will be in my power and with your permission
will call upon you. It is very true that I am as well known
everywhere as in my own House and that I am followed everywhere,
and all that I do observed and commented upon according to the
inclinations of those who think proper to follow and observe me. I
am therefore anxious not to expose you or your abode to such
observations.'
"The Duke's next letter is from Walmer, dated Sept. 11th, wherein
he writes, after thanking me for my letter; 'I am as usual very
much employed but I thank God, quite well.' In the Duke's next
letter, dated Sept. 12th, he writes; 'I again express my gratitude
to you for your continued kindness and good wishes. I will go to
see you as soon as I shall return to Town, of course giving you
Notice.'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated Sept. 21st, in which he
writes--'I am under the necessity of going out at a very early hour
in the Morning and I do not return till night. But your kindness is
always welcome to me and I wish that it was in my power at all
times immediately to acknowledge the receipt of it.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 24th, he writes--'I am very
grateful for your constant and continued kindness: you may rely
upon it that if not immediately responded to it is because my time
is so much occupied at a distance from my Residence.' In the Duke's
letter of the 27th of Sept. he thanks me for my letters of the 24th
and one concluded on Wednesday afternoon, purposing to call if in
his power.
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 30th, he writes--'I am very
happy to learn that you are not separated from Mrs. L. as soon as
you expected.'
"The commencement of Oct. brought me a letter from the Duke dated
Oct. 1st, acknowledging mine previously forwarded.
"I see there is a letter dated Oct. the 5th in which the Duke
writes; 'I write one line to apprize you that I am in Town and that
I will endeavour to go to see you at three this day.'"
WINDSOR, Saturday Evening,
Oct. 12, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have been here since the day after I left
London; having gone to and returned from Portsmouth.
I have received two letters from you the last commenced on
Wednesday evening and finished, on Friday morning or rather later
in the day on Friday after you had taken a Lodging No. 4 Fitz Roy
Street Fitz Roy Square.
There is no Post from hence to London this evening and I am going
this night to my own House in Hampshire, where I shall put this
letter in the Post tomorrow; and it will reach you on Monday. I
am going there on my way to Portsmouth for the embarkation of the
King of the French. I shall go there please God! on Monday
morning.
I cannot say when I shall be able to return to London. But I will
write to you; I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to
me although I have been so much occupied and so constantly in
movement that I have not been able to thank you.
I hope that you will find your new Lodgings quiet; and
comfortable.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
WALMER CASTLE, Oct. 17, 1844.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I arrived here yesterday evening having been in
movement since I quitted my own House in Hants on Monday morning
to go to Portsmouth to meet the King of the French. I was out
during the thunder, Lightning and Rain on that day; and travelled
afterwards: and thank God! after all this movement and exposure I
am just as well as ever. [Endnote 5]
I have to thank you for all your Letters; the last in answer to
mine written before I quitted Windsor Castle; but sent from my
House in Hampshire in which I enquired how you liked your new
Residence.
I am much obliged to you for your continued kindness. I will go
to see you as soon as I shall return to London. But I cannot yet
say at what time that will be: as I am called away so frequently
for other Affairs; and I have still much to occupy my attention
in this part of the Country.
Your last letter was commenced on Monday the 14^th and ended on
Tuesday.
I am very certain that I have received all your Letters, and I am
very sensible of your kindness in writing to me; particularly one
on five sheets of paper commenced on the 7^th of Octo^r.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully
WELLINGTON.
"The Duke's next letter is dated Oct. 19th, in which he writes;
'This Note cannot be sent from hence this day, there being no post.
I will add a line to it when I shall have an opportunity of sending
it off, concluding at present with thanking you for your continued
kindness toward me.
"'P.S. I add a line to tell you that I have received; and am very
sensible of the kindness of your Letter of the 18th in the middle
of the day; which was brought down here this evening by a messenger
from my House in London.
"'I am happy to find that you had received my Letter; you need not
be apprehensive of my catching Cold on my Journeys. You may rely
upon my taking care of myself.
"'Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully,
"'WELLINGTON.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Oct. 24th, he writes--'I have to
acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for your continued
kindness in writing me two long letters.' At the end the Duke
writes; 'It is possible that I may be under the necessity of going
to London to attend to the opening of the New Royal Exchange.'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated Nov. 6th wherein he writes;
"'Some days have elapsed since I have heard from you and as I
cannot recollect any reason for your silence I begin to be
apprehensive that you may have been unwell and have been prevented
by indisposition from writing to me. I therefore write this line to
request you to write to me and let me know how you are.'
"On the same sheet the Duke writes Nov. 7th; 'I have this morning
received yours of the 6th and am delighted to find that you are not
indisposed. I was in Town on two different days in last week; in
one I attended the Ceremony of opening the Royal Exchange by Her
Majesty the Queen [Endnote 6]--on another to attend the marriage
and indeed to give away in marriage a young Lady and was under the
necessity of returning here as Time, Tides and Trains or Railroads
wait for no Man and I had not time even to write, much less to go
to see you.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 10th 1844 wherein he
writes--'You always express in your letters the same interest for
my welfare which has always drawn from me the expressions of my
grateful sense of your kindness.' Again in the Duke's next letter
dated Nov. the 12th he writes; 'Notwithstanding that I wrote to you
so lately I will not suffer the Post to go this day without
expressing my sense of your kindness in writing to me.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 19th, in which he writes--'I
intend to go to see you as soon as I shall have a moment's leisure.
But my time is really so much employed in the service of the Public
as to leave me none for social purposes and scarcely enough for
Repose.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 20th, wherein he writes--'I
write you one line to tell you that if it should be in my power I
will call upon you this day after three o'clock.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 3rd, wherein he writes--'I
was so much occupied with public business that I could not call
upon you again. I am quite well. Then I was at Windsor Castle in
attendance upon Her Majesty the Queen during the five last days of
last week. I have not got the Parcel to which you referred.'
"In the Duke's letter dated Dec. 11th, he writes; 'I have been very
much concerned to hear that you are unwell. You must take care of
yourself and keep yourself very warm in this bad weather.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 14th wherein he writes--'I
returned to London last night having been detained at Windsor
Castle till late in the afternoon and I went there on Thursday and
received your Note dated the 13th, for which I am much obliged.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 20th wherein he writes--'I am
very sorry, but my time is so much occupied, and while the Almighty
will deign to permit me to live will be so occupied as that I shall
not have leisure to pay visits. I have frequently expressed my
regret that it should be so and repeat them now.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Dec. 21st, he writes; 'I am very
sensible of the kindness of your letter of yesterday afternoon
which I received last night.
"'I am, thank God! in perfect good health but have had the
misfortune of losing my Sister. But I trust that by the Mercy of
God! She is Happy.' [Endnote 7]
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 24th, wherein he writes--'I
have received several letters from you after my return to Town
after paying the last Respects to the Memory of my poor Sister--I
return you my thanks for them all and am very sensible of your
kindness in writing to me.'
"In a letter from the Duke dated Dec. 26th, he writes--'I am sorry
to learn that you have caught cold and are suffering from sore
throat. I hope that you will take care of yourself and avoid to
expose yourself to cold in this severe weather. I am very sensible
of your kindness in writing to me as you have; I hope that I feel
as I ought upon the occasion of the recent described affliction
which I have suffered.'
"1845.--The first letter from the Duke, of this year, is dated Jan.
3rd, wherein he writes; 'I am very much obliged to you my dear Miss
J. for several letters received from you in these last days; and
regret that I was so much occupied when I received each of them as
to be unable to acknowledge its receipt by return of Post. I am
very sensible of your kindness in writing to me.'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated Jan. 13th wherein he
writes--
"When I wrote to you last My dear Miss J. I omitted to thank you
for one letter which I had received from you. The one to which I
refer was dated the 23rd Inst., the day on which I attended the
funeral of my poor Sister. I was in London for three days but my
time was so much occupied that I could not even write to you, much
less fix a time at which I could be able to pay you a visit.'
"In the next letter from the Duke dated Strathfieldsaye, Jan. 17th,
he writes; 'You have been correctly informed; Her Majesty the Queen
does intend to pay me a visit here on Monday the 20th and to remain
till Thursday the 23rd.' [Endnote 8]
"In the next letter from the Duke, dated Jan. 23rd, he writes--'I
am much obliged to you my dear Miss J. for all your letters dated
the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st which I have received regularly in
due course. I wish that it were in my power to peruse them when I
receive them--still more to acknowledge the receipt of them
regularly. But that is impossible. My time is so much occupied that
I have scarcely sufficient for Rest. However my Health continues
excellent and my strength unimpaired.' The next letter from the
Duke is dated Feb. 7th 1845, wherein he writes; 'I have received
many letters from you, dated the 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th and
Feb. 2nd, which I have not expressed the sense of gratitude I felt
for your kindness in writing them. But in truth I have been so much
occupied, not alone by my public business but by the afflicting
sickness of one of my Family; one of whom,--My Niece, we have lost;
and another, my brother, is still very unwell that I have really
scarcely had time to turn about. However I thank God! my brother is
stronger and better and I hope that he will be able to bear the
remedies which must be administered to him.'
"In the Duke's next letter he writes, dating it Feb. 8th--'I fear
that there was one letter which I did not acknowledge in my note of
yesterday--that of the 3rd Inst. But I must say that my time and
attention are so much taken up from morning till I go to bed at
night that it is not surprising that I should pass over a letter in
acknowledging the receipt of others, however kind and interesting,
its contents. I have really more to do than I can find time for,
notwithstanding my constant attention and diligence.'
"In the poor Duke's next letter he writes--dating it Feb. 25th; 'My
omission to write to you etc--is to be attributed to my constant
occupation in the Public service and since My return to Town in
these latter days, since the Queen paid me a visit, by the
continued illness of my poor brother; and by my attendance upon
Him, his wife and afflicted family. I was very sensible of your
kind offer of Assistance--But he had everything. We lost him, Alas!
on Saturday night, I am happy to say without pain or suffering.
[Endnote 9] His last moments were those of a good Christian in
peace with all the world and I trust, in the Mercy of the Almighty,
in favor with Him! You are very kind and I am very sensible of your
kindness in offering me consolation and in urging me to call upon
you and I will do so as soon as it will be in my power and will
write to apprize you of the Time.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated March the 1st, he writes--'It is
true I have been greatly afflicted. But by the Mercy of God My poor
Brother suffered but little in his last Moments. Indeed I may
say--no pain, from the disorder by which he had been afflicted and
his mind was at ease and full of confidence in the Mercy of the
Almighty.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated March 6th he writes--'I am
concerned to learn that you are not well.'
"In the Duke's next letter he, after dating it March 15th, 1845,
reports how occupied he is, adding; 'I regret exceedingly to learn
that you are still unwell. But hope that we shall have moderate
weather usual at this season, which will soon recruit your health.'"
LONDON, April 18th, 1845.
MY DEAR MISS J.,--I will give you an answer to your Note of the
17^th just now received because my attention has just now been
drawn to two paragraphs in the Morning Post, stating that I was
taken ill in the House of Lords last night. I was last night and
am at this moment thank God! as well as I ever was.
The truth is this. A Noble Lord, well known to be blind was
standing on the floor near the place where I was sitting. I
arose, gave him the assistance of my Arm and conducted him
towards the door till I met another person who took charge of
him.
That is the whole Story!
I returned to my place where I sat and took part in the
discussion going on till the House adjourned.
A man called at my door to enquire how I was at _eleven_, not at
_twelve_ o'clock. The answer was. _He is quite well_, not, _He is
convalescent_.
Ever Yours most faithfully,
WELLINGTON.
"The next letter from the Duke is dated April 21st, 1845, in which
he replies to an enquiry I had made in a former Note or letter as
follows; 'You did not see me in Piccadilly on Saturday the 19th. I
was not in the Street on that day except to cross it on Horseback
from my own House to the Park.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated May 8th wherein he writes; 'I have
received and thank you for all your letters; the truth is that it
takes me a long time to peruse them and I am obliged to do so by
daylight, which I have not at command of sufficient duration to
finish the whole that I have to read at one time.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated May 28th he writes--'The truth is
that nobody can tell the amount of business which I have to
transact who should not be a witness of my constant and unremitting
exertions, and the degree in which my time is occupied. Thank God
that I have health to perform all that is required.'
"Again in the Duke's letter dated May 30th he writes--'The truth is
that my occupation in the service of the Public is incessant from
one week's end to the other. It is not given to Man to be in two
places at the same time and I have scarcely time for Rest--none for
recreation or amusement even social.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 5th he writes 'My time is
really so much employed as to have none for either repose or meals.
We are now at the 5th of June. I have dined but twice since the
29th of May, although in perfect Health. I have scarcely time for
Repose as you will see when I tell you that I returned home this
morning only at half past four.'
"I knew that the Duke could find time to go to parties, etc, etc,
therefore I considered such letters as mine ought not to be laid
aside in silence, more especially as he was continually implying he
meant to call upon me, but never did, so thus keeping my mind in
suspense and expectation. This doubtless The Lord of lords in His
infinite wisdom did not see fit to gratify, knowing far better what
is good for us than we do for ourselves. Otherwise HE could and
would have compelled him to come to me daily, whatever his
occupations may have been.
"The Duke's next letter is dated June 7th, wherein he
writes--'Besides being very good, you must admit that patience
under disappointment is required from us all. That is all I ask
from you.'
"Which I suppose sprang from my expressing disappointment at not
seeing the Duke, little imagining that the Lord of lords had
decreed he should never call again, knowing far better what is good
for us than we do for ourselves. O that His Holy Name may be
magnified throughout for His blessed Holy Name's Sake!
"In the Duke's next letter he writes at its conclusion, having
dated it June 16^th 1845 'I am quite well, thank God!
notwithstanding the constant fatigue which I endure.'
"The next letter in due course from the Duke is dated June 27th,
1845, wherein he writes--'I am very sensible of your kindness in
writing. I am anxious that you should recollect that if I omit to
acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for the receipt of
your letters regularly it is because I really have not leisure
time. I assure you that since last Sunday I have dined only once,
and that was on Wednesday. I thank God that I preserve my health
and strength; and am really as strong as I was twenty-two years
ago, but have not leisure time for social occupations of any
description.'
"In the next letter from the Duke, dated July 14th, he writes; 'I
have received from you letters of the 9th and 13th Inst. since I
wrote last, for which I return my best thanks. I hope that the
rainy weather will not prevent you from receiving the benefit which
you expected to derive from your residence near the Sea.' Again the
Duke writes in his next letter, dated July 17th; 'The weather still
continues unpleasant but I hope that your residence by the Sea will
be beneficial.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated July 23rd, he writes--'I have
received several letters from you lately, for which I return my
grateful thanks. I only regret that I have not leisure to answer
them punctually. I have not been able to dine for the last two days
but I am quite well, thank God!'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated July the 26th, wherein he
writes--'I return thanks for all your letters; I am very sensible
of your kindness in writing to me and I am very happy to find that
you think of returning to London.'
"The next letter from the Duke, dated Aug. 12th, refers to letters
being rightly stamped, adding--'Your remedy is very simple--take
care not to send a letter that is overweight. If you write one that
is upon so much paper as that one Stamp will not be sufficient, put
half the paper in one cover and half in the second or put two or
three stamps on the same cover. I have likewise received back some
letters written to you, notwithstanding that I invariably myself
direct and stamp the letters addressed to you. I am really ashamed
of giving you so much trouble.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 13th, he writes--'It is true
that my public duties render it necessary for me to move to a
distant part of the Country--I cannot complain. But it is the fact,
that at a period of life at which other Men are seeking Repose,
every moment of my time should be as it is, occupied by National
duties which require my constant attendance and all my attention,
and render me unfit for social duties and incapable of performing
them.'
"In the next letter of the Duke's, dated Aug. 14th, he writes 'I
write only one line to acknowledge the receipt of and thank you for
your letter of the 13th which reached me last night. I am really
very much concerned that my public duties and the attention which I
am under the necessity of paying to their performance render me
unfit for social life. I really have not leisure time for visits,
scarcely to write. I am under the necessity of going out of Town
this afternoon.'
"In his next letter, dated Aug. 19th, the Duke writes--'I perceive
again that I must be very cautious to cross my t's and put dots to
my i's and not omit an expression which I may ever have used or to
make use of one which may be unusual lest I should again give
offence.'
"Judging by the Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 23rd, I had begun to
fear I should never see the Duke again, for he writes--'It has
often occurred to me that you do not read my letters and that at
all Events you pay but little attention to their Contents--If you
had perused these letters and had believed what I wrote, you could
not have asked this question. However I answer it--I do intend to
go to see you whenever I can find time; that is, when my
occupations in the Service of the Public will give me leisure for
the performance of any Social duty or the pursuit of any
relaxation, amusement or pleasure.'
"The Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 29th, conveys an impression
that I had felt hurt at something written, as he writes 'I did not
think it possible that I should ever write one word that could hurt
your feelings and I sincerely beg your pardon.' The next letter
from the Duke is dated Oct. 9th, 1845, wherein he thanks me for my
letters and adds 'I am much obliged about your enquiries about my
Health. I am quite well thank God! though much fatigued by hard
work.'
"The next and the last letter of this year from the Duke is dated
Dec. 3rd, wherein he writes; 'I assure you that I am very sensible
of your continued kindness. I have not written to acknowledge the
receipt of your letters and to thank you for them, as I really have
not had time, having been so much occupied in the public Service.
When I write to you I am sensible that I must not omit a word or a
letter. The feeling that such omission will give you offence is
alone an impediment, therefore I hope that you will excuse me.'"