Note 5 — Chapter XLVI
Reading edition
As an instance of English character, it is worth stating in a note, that an honest butcher of Slough, near Windsor, Edward Shirley by name, sent Lord Wellington, as a Christmas present, the rump and sirloin of a famous ox. Government forwarded the present, and with the next dispatches Lord Wellington’s letter of thanks arrived, and was forwarded to Slough from the secretary of state’s office by a king’s messenger. The letter was as follows:—
“St. Jean de Luz, Jan. 19.
“Sir,
“I received the day before yesterday the sirloin and rump of beef which you were so kind as to send me; which although it did not arrive in time for the new year’s day, was a most welcome present for the queen’s birthday.
“I beg you to accept my best thanks for it; and to be assured that I duly appreciate the patriotic motives which induced you to avail yourself of an opportunity at the present moment of conveying to me your sense of the manner in which I have carried into execution his Majesty’s commands, and those of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent.
“I have the honour to be, sir, Your most obedient, humble servant, Wellington.
“To Mr. Edward Shirley, butcher, Slough, near Windsor.”