CHRISTINE TERHUNE HERRICK (continued 2)

The Duke begs leave to inform her however that if she sent them back he has not yet received them. They may however be in His House in London as he has been absent from there since the 19th of last Month.

In Miss J.'s next letter she inquires into the truth of a report of the Duke's indisposition that has appeared in the papers. The reply is decidedly testy.

Walmer Castle, Nov^r 3, 1835.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J.

He received only this morning Miss J.'s Letters of the 28^th and 31^st October.

The Duke returns his thanks to Miss J. for her kind Enquiries about His Health. The Duke was unwell for one day; of which the Newspapers obtained Intelligence; and as usual misrepresented and exaggerated the facts.

The Duke is much concerned that Miss J. is not satisfied with the formal style of His Notes. She was not satisfied when he wrote to her in a form more consistent with familiarity. Such form was considered disrespectful.

The Duke assures Miss J. that he can reply to any letter which she may think proper to address the Duke as fully in one form as the other.

The poor Duke's life was frequently made a burden to him by the comments expressed by the papers upon his health and his conduct. His letters abound in impatient references to the inaccuracies of the daily journals in all that pertained to himself. These finally irritated him to such an extent that, against the advice of wise friends, he sued the "Morning Journal" for libel, and succeeded in obtaining the punishment of the editor and printer by fines and imprisonment. His course in this matter was deprecated by those who thought that a man of his acknowledged character and position could afford to disregard such attacks.

Apparently after this time matters returned to their former state, in so far as the frequency of the letters was concerned, although the formal mode of address was still retained, greatly to Miss J.'s dissatisfaction. She continues in her Diary the account of the Duke's letters:

"In the Duke's next letter of the 6th of November written in the third person since I wrote to him concerning that plain seal he writes; 'The considerations urged by Miss J. with her usual facility and eloquence are for all times and seasons.'

"Thus graciously did he usually receive my letters on religious subjects, which under circumstances of illness were doubtlessly additionally earnest.

"In the next of November 6th His Grace writes thus; 'The Duke assures her that he feels the deepest interest in everything that Miss J. writes to him.' The next from the Duke is dated November 10th wherein he writes; 'The Duke will have great pleasure in attending Miss J. when he will be in London if she will permit him and will let him know where she resides.'

"In the Duke's next letter of Nov. 11th he writes in allusion to me; 'She is so kind to the Duke; and she writes to him with so much earnestness and feeling that it is impossible that he should not be impressed with a deep sense of His obligation to her for taking so much trouble.'

"In his next of the 12th of November he returns me many thanks for my letters.

"By the next letter I presume some inconvenience attended my receiving the Duke as he writes—'It appears that for some reason with which Miss J. states it to be her intention at some future time to acquaint the Duke—it will not be in Miss J.'s power to receive the Duke.'

"Another letter dated the 16th of November, as was the above, refers to my dating my letters on the outside. He writes 'Franks are dated on the outside because the Law requires the use of that form.'

"What I had written to call it forth I cannot remember but the Duke in his next of the 16th of November says 'he has no pretension to superiority,' reminding me of a circumstance which took place at the commencement of our acquaintance when I told him that his being the Duke of Wellington was nothing to me—leading him to reply 'I know it, I know it and I respect you for it.'

"Judging by the Duke's next letter of the 16th (being the second of that date) I had formed the wish to have a letter of mine returned—which letter I found with all others had been destroyed. The Duke encloses the succeeding one."

My Lord Duke,—I once more take up pen, but in all probability for the last time, if I rightly understand you to mean you are capable of receiving my letters in silence, to which I decline subjecting myself. I consider a reply and a very different one to those lately received due to me in the sight of That God Who created such an interest in your eternal happiness and I am very much mistaken if he does not make you feel the power of this impression by exercising His Almighty power in some unforeseen manner.

The information that you have destroyed my letters is any thing but gratifying; one and all being more or less marked with Divine Truth, calculated if properly and seriously considered, to benefit your immortal Soul. Nor should I imagine myself justified in spending my time in future by penning such to have them committed to the flames. Therefore I shall decline troubling you with a repetition of this kind, until you consider them sufficiently valuable to retain instead of destroy. In the mean time I shall occupy myself with any other work my Heavenly Father may condescendingly point out; it being of very little consequence to me how I am employed so that it is under His direction and in His Service....

I remain, My Lord Duke, so long as God permits.

Your faithful Christian Friend.

A. J.

"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. the third followed by one of the 8th which implies I wrote to the Duke on the death of the Countess of S., as he writes 'It is true that a near relation of the Duke's has died a terrible death.'

"By the Duke's letter of the 11th of December I presume I continued displeased at his having burnt my letters,—a truth elicited through wishing one of them returned, which consequently it was not in his power to do—considering as I told him that it was a sin in the sight of God to destroy Epistles intended for his everlasting good."

The Duke's reply to this is given in full:—

Strathfieldsaye, Dec^r 15, 1835.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comp^ts to Miss J. He has only this day received her Letter commenced on Saturday and finished on Monday. He is much concerned to learn that Miss J. has been indisposed; and he hopes that she will have been relieved by attending to the Advice of the Medical Gentleman for whom she had sent.

Nothing will be more satisfactory to the Duke than to put an end to all Dissension upon bygone subjects. He has no feeling upon any of them excepting a desire to avoid to give occasion unknowingly and unwillingly for irritation.

The Duke is much obliged to Miss J. for her Letter. He does not entirely concur in all the opinions contained in that Letter. He assures her however that he has perused it as he Does all those received from her, with attention. He will state his objections at some future time.

It is quite impossible for the Duke to keep Miss J.'s letters. They are in general long; and they succeed each other rapidly. If the Duke was to keep them, they might be seen by others. He therefore destroys them as soon as he has read, and perfectly understands them.

This explanation evidently soothed Miss J.'s ruffled feelings, for she makes no further reference at this time to the "Dissension." The Diary continues:—

"The Duke's next letter expresses concern at my illness, dated Dec. 21, 1835.

"The Duke's next letter of the 24th of Dec. implies my account of my health was not satisfactory—which I suppose must have been justifiable as I was then so seriously ill.

"Another letter dated the 26th of December kindly expresses anxiety concerning my health also one of the 31st of December.

"Letters received from the Duke during the year 1835, Seventy-Eight."

"1836.—The first letter of this year is dated Jan. 2nd wherein the Duke writes 'The Duke is very sensible of the kindness which induces Miss J. to write to him. He would have wished to receive from her some account of Her Health as well as her opinion upon other matters, however important. The Duke will certainly request Miss J.'s permission to pay His Respects to her when he will return to Town.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated Jan. 19th, in which he writes—'On his passage through London he has received her letter of the 11th Inst. He sincerely rejoices at and congratulates Miss J. upon the progress which she has made in the recovery of her health.'

"I see this is a mistake as the Duke's next letter is dated Jan. 7th in which he thanks me for my account of my health and the next is dated Jan 13th wherein he writes thus; 'He will wait upon her after having notified His intention and received her permission when he will be in London. He rejoices at the improved state of Miss J.'s health.'

"'Feb. 3rd he regrets much to learn that she has been again indisposed.'

"In the Duke's letter of Feb. 19th he writes; 'He returns his thanks for her note of the 17th received this morning and the printed Enclosures.' What these printed enclosures were I do not now remember but presume they were a tract and handbills.

"In his next dated the 25th of February he writes; 'He returns his thanks for her letter, and he is very happy to hear that Miss J. is sufficiently recovered to be able to quit her room and go down stairs.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated March 9th 1836, he writes—'The Duke has been out of Town for some time so therefore he did not receive her first note till last night, and this day the second which Miss J. has written to him, enclosing printed tracts; and the latter some Manuscript Lines. The Duke begs leave to return his thanks.'

"Again on the 12th of March the Duke writes 'He has received her note and the Tract on one leaf; for which he returns his thanks.' Again on the 19th of March the Duke writes—'The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. and returns his thanks for the Tract and other papers received from her.'

"The Duke's next letter likewise acknowledges—'His thanks for her letter of the 20th and its Enclosures.' To which he adds—'The Duke is happy to learn that Miss J. is sufficiently recovered to be able to walk out.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated, March 25th he writes 'The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. and returns thanks for her Note and the Tract which she enclosed to him.'

"Again London, March the 29th, the Duke writes—He 'returns his thanks for her letter of Sunday and the enclosures.'

"The next letter from His Grace is dated April 2nd, 1836, thanking me for two letters, one received on Good Friday and the other written on Good Friday,—which last, of course, treated on our Lord's Sufferings for us sinners, as usual on such occasions.

"On the 11th of April the Duke again writes 'He has received her Note with some Tracts.'

"The next letter from the Duke is dated April 12th, 1836, in which he returns me, as requested, a letter I had sent for his perusal and consideration, addressed to a Minister of the Gospel by my dear friend Mrs. L.

"The Duke's next letter is written on and dated June 18th, 1836. 'The Duke of Wellington presents his regards to Miss J. and returns thanks for her letter and its enclosure. The Duke is happy to learn that Miss J. is in good Health. He was apprehensive that she was unwell, and had gone out of Town, as so much time had elapsed since she had written to the Duke.' I need scarcely remark that this was the day on which the Duke gave his yearly Banquet—yet The great Lord of Lords compelled him to find time thereon to write to me, thus verifying His own Divine declaration, 'Them that honor ME I will honor.'"

One wonders where the busy statesman could have found time to read not only the letters, but the hymns and tracts Miss J. constantly showered upon him. There seems a tone of resignation, if not actual despair, in the notes wherein he acknowledges the receipt of this flood of pious literature.

"In the Duke's next letter of June 21st he writes—'The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. and he acknowledges the receipt of, and thanks her for her letter of the 19th inst. and enclosures. Miss J. does not advert to the state of her health, but as she says that she walks in the Park, the Duke hopes that she is entirely recovered.'

"His Grace's letter of June 23rd returns his thanks, adding: 'When Miss J. mentions her walks in the park The Duke concludes that she means in what is called the Regent's Park, in the neighborhood of the Street in which she lives.' Which was the case yet of which beautiful Park I knew nothing until dearest Mrs. L. took me into it for the benefit of the air, after the illness herein alluded to.

"The next letter from the Duke is dated June 27th, 1836, in which he writes—'Miss J. complains of the change of the style of the Duke's letters; although she does not express a wish that the former style should be renewed.'

"I certainly had a great objection to the formality attending the Duke's letters when written in the third person, feeling restrained in replying to such in like manner."

CHAPTER VI.

COMPARATIVE CALM.

The next letter is copied from the original:

London, June 28, 1836.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comp^s to Miss J. The Duke has this morning received her very kind Letter of yesterday for which he returns His thanks. The Duke begs leave again to assure Miss J. that whatever may be the form in which he writes to her; the motive in doing so is the same as ever; and that he is ever sensible of and grateful for her kindness.

The Duke will with the greatest pleasure go to see her whenever it may suit Miss J. to receive him.

The Duke did not say anything upon the Letter which Miss J. had written to the Gentleman in question because he was unwilling to obtrude His opinion upon a matter which Miss J. considers one of Duty; in which the Duke is so unfortunate as to differ in opinion with her.

Prudence and Discretion would appear to require that Miss J. should not rebuke a Gentleman for words spoken not to Her; not even in Her Presence; but to Her Landlady in the relation of a Lodger in the House.

The Duke may be wrong. But he considers the exercise of Prudence and discretion virtues; not unbecoming to any Character however exalted.

The Diary continues:—

"Judging by the contents of the Duke's next letter dated June 29th, 1836, I presume I had felt from circumstances under the necessity of putting aside his proposed visit adverted to in his last, as follows 'The Duke will with the greatest pleasure go to see her whenever it may suit Miss J. to receive him'—for in this of the 29th he writes—'I cannot but concur in your decision to postpone to receive my visit. Nothing would distress me more than to give you any pain. I sincerely hope that your journey to the Country will reestablish your health and spirits.'

"I perceive by this that the Duke had again commenced addressing me in the first person.

"It would appear by the Duke's next, dated July 1st, 1836, that I had changed my intention concerning receiving him, as he wrote—'Since I wrote you this morning I have had a fall by which I have bruised my knee so that Leaches have been applied. I am not otherwise hurt but it is quite obvious that I shall not be able to wait upon you to-morrow. I hope to be able to do so however at the same hour on Monday.' That such was not the will of the Lord of lords I now perfectly recollect proving to the Duke that 'The way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps,' a divine lesson which I was so anxious from time to time, as circumstances permitted, to impress on his mind."

The Duke probably had a vivid realization of this truth just at this juncture, although possibly not in the sense intended by Miss J. She seems to have been devoid of any sense of humor, and saw nothing but the spiritual application of this one of her favorite quotations.

"In the Duke's next, of the 4th of July, he writes; 'I am much recovered from the accident under which I suffered on Friday—but I am afraid that I shall not be allowed to quit my House this day. Indeed I am convinced that I could not do so without increasing the risk of being confined to my house for weeks or months. I lament this particularly as you are going out of Town early to morrow. I am very sensible of your Confidence in attending to my opinion in sending your letter to Mr. B.'

"This was a letter written by me to a Minister of the Gospel whose worldliness was justifiably condemned. It is still I believe in my possession among my papers, the Duke having received it for perusal and at my request returned with advice not to forward it.

"In the letter dated the 5th the Duke acknowledges a packet from me to which he adds 'I continue to improve and hope to go out tomorrow or next day.'

"I presume this was a very thick letter. In that of the 9th of July, the Duke writes; 'I am better and I am in hopes that on tomorrow I shall be able to put my foot to the ground.'

"The Duke's next letter is I see directed to me at Hastings, in which he writes on July 11th, 1836—'I am so much better that I am going to the House of Lords and I hope soon to be able to go about without inconvenience' to which the Duke again refers in his next thus; 'I continue to recover from the effects of the Accident and I hope to be able to go out in a day or two. I am happy to find that you are settled at Hastings to your satisfaction.'

"The next of the 13th of July refers to my letters being overweight—apparently, but judging by the letter of the 28th I must have been mistaken, as the Duke writes;

"'You did not send me a letter overweight. But I warned you of the necessity of taking care not to do so because I was apprehensive that if I should be absent my servants would decline to receive the letter.'

"The next letter from the Duke is dated July 30th wherein he writes; 'I am much better and can walk a little. But my Knee is bandaged up; and some time will elapse before I shall have the use of it as heretofore.'

"The next letter from the Duke is dated Aug. 3rd 1836 in which he writes 'I am much flattered by the anxiety which you express respecting the injury which I received in my knee. I am getting the better of it and I hope soon to be quite well.'

"Alas! it grieves me as I thus proceed, running my eye over so many references to God's mercies to observe such were not adverted to by the Duke—a subject I did not omit expatiating upon occasionally, however reluctant to irritate whilst laboring under indisposition, as my Diary will doubtlessly imply.

"On the 5th of August the Duke writes; 'I am very much obliged to you for your letter and flattered by your desire to see me. I am so far better as to be able to walk and I can go to see you when you will come to Town.'

"By that of the 8th of Aug. I presume I had made enquiries concerning his seal as the Duke writes—'I use black wax to seal my letters as a Relation of mine died lately.'"

Immediately after the receipt of the last letter quoted, Miss J. left Hastings for Tunbridge Wells. The Duke's letters followed her here. She writes:—

"The Duke's next letter is directed to Tunbridge Wells, thanking me for my letter to him dated Aug. 11th, 1836. In the Duke's next he again adverts to his knee thus—'My knee continues to improve and I hope to walk as well as ever in a few days.'

"In the Duke's of Aug. 16th he writes—'I entertain some doubt whether a letter which I wrote to you yesterday was sent to the Post. If not, I laid it by in one of my writing cases and in the uncertainty I think it best to write again. I hope that the waters will prove beneficial to your Health and that you will remain at Tunbridge as long as it may be necessary that you should drink thereof.'

"In the Duke's letter of the 20th of Aug. he writes—'I have found in one of my writing cases the letter which I had omitted to send on the day before yesterday. I rejoice to learn that your health improves so much at Tunbridge Wells.'

"The Duke's next letter is directed to me at Brighton wherein he writes 'My Knee continues to improve but it has not yet all its strength and elasticity, but I hope that it will soon. I am much obliged to you for enquiring about it.'

"Judging by the Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 22nd, I must have requested him to send me the letter he had placed in one of his writing cases, for he replies—'You will have seen that I had destroyed the letter not sent.'

"In the Duke's next, dated Aug. 31st, the Duke writes—'I received in due course a letter which you were so kind as to write to me on nineteen sides of paper under three covers.'"

One ceases to wonder at the slowness of the poor man's recovery, under such circumstances as these.

"Upon the 6th of September a letter arrived from the Duke in which he again refers to his accident as follows—'I am getting better every day—but slowly, as is the case with recovery from such accidents. I hope however to recover entirely and to be quite well.'"

Another cause of offence had been found by Miss J. The Duke's letter explains it:—

Walmer Castle, Sept. 17, 1836.

My dear Miss J.,—I was much surprized at not hearing from you; and I am still more surprized now that I learn the Cause of your Silence.

Begging Your Pardon you don't repeat accurately what I wrote respecting Your Hand writing; and you have consequently misrepresented my Meaning; which was however not worth attending to.

I totally forgot that your Mind is occupied with affairs of more Importance; the Hand writing in which you convey your thoughts to others, is a matter of but little Importance to you; and that at all events you are seldom in a disposition to allow any body to complain; much less to find fault with you.

Accordingly I beg your Pardon for having ventured to tell you that I experienced great Difficulty in reading your Hand writing.

I hope that you will not give yourself the trouble of writing to me; if it should be at all irksome or inconvenient to you.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully

Wellington.

The unmistakable irony of the above seems to have been quite thrown away upon Miss J., for she placidly remarks:—

"I am well aware that the poor Duke was justified in finding fault with my writing, through finding my pen could not keep pace with my feelings, more especially as I generally sent off whatever I wrote just as it was thus written.

"Again I see by the Duke's letter of Sept. 26th that he has returned to the third person in addressing me, which may have been accidental as his next dated Oct. 1st, 1836, is again in the first and on the 11th he writes—'I have received your Note and two Covers containing Tracts, for all of which I return my thanks.'

"In the Duke's letter of Oct. 14th he writes—'I am, I assure you, very sensible of the kindness of your motive in writing to me.'

"The Duke's next letter is as follows 'I did not arrive in London in time to be able to wait upon you this evening but I will wait upon you to-morrow afternoon as soon after five as it may be in my power.'

"On October 19^th the Duke called, after an absence of about two years. So seldom did The Lord of Lords allow personal interviews to take place which doubtlessly was wisely ordered for His Glory Who knows the end from the beginning and is consequently too jealous of His Holy Name to suffer it to be tarnished. Of this holy jealousy I was rendered especially sensible on the visit above alluded to. I accosted the Duke accordingly on his entering the room. He exclaimed 'You shall do this and you shall do that!' without any reference to God's holy Will, expatiating accordingly until dear Mrs. L. who was only separated from us by folding doors said afterwards she pitied the Duke and was glad when I had said whatever I considered my duty. Nor was it until then that I even asked him concerning his knee, although that was the first visit since the Accident. When I did so, he appeared delighted, brushing up his chair nearer to me, which of course met with the withdrawal on my part due to Christianity. I bless God for the grace and strength afforded me on that occasion, causing the Duke to sink into the utmost insignificance in comparison with His favor which is better than life.

"The next letter from the Duke is dated Nov. 3rd, 1836, wherein he writes, 'I am much flattered by your desire to have my opinion whether you should send the letter you had written to a gentleman, but had refrained from putting it into the Post.'

"The Duke alludes again to this in his next letter of Nov. 10th. The next letter from the Duke is dated Nov. 11th, 1836, entreating me to date my letters.

"In the Duke's next letter dated Nov. 12th he writes—'It is true that I burn every letter the preservation of which is not of importance, but I do not forget their contents as you will have perceived, at least, those that are material.' With this letter I see one of mine thus written and which I presume consequently was forwarded.—'I had imagined My Lord Duke this day would have brought with it an acknowledgement of my two last letters whereas I have only received a brief reply to that addressed to you on Sunday. However as it is my duty to acknowledge the receipt of that this day received—I do so subscribing myself

"'Your Grace's faithful Christian Friend

"'A. J.'

"The above looks very formal but I presume it was all right, yielding up my heart to God as I did and do to govern as seemed good in His sight.

"The next letter from the Duke is dated Nov. 14th, 1836, wherein he writes; 'I shall be in London in the end of this week, that is on Friday, and I beg you to write to me if you should wish to see me.' How little did the poor Duke think when he wrote thus that the great Lord of lords had decreed he should not behold me again for nearly eight years, namely until the summer of 1844—O how mysterious are His unerring ways!!

"During the year 1836 I received from the Duke fifty-six Letters.

"1837.—I do not see any letter from the Duke until Feb. 26th in this year when he writes therein as follows from Hartford Bridge; 'I am very much obliged to you for your letters, and I assure you that I always receive with thankfulness whatever you think proper to write to me. I do not like to trouble you when you do not write to me lest my intrusion should be considered offensive.'

"The next letter from His Grace is dated March 2nd, wherein he writes; 'I have now got such a cold that I cannot quit the house. I have no fever however and I shall be quite well, I hope, in a day or two.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated March 5th wherein he writes—'I am much obliged to you for your enquiries. I came down to the Country to get rid of the cold and I am much better, indeed, nearly well. I will return the letter enclosed in yours the next time.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated March 12th 1837 in which he again notices my letter, as follows; 'I return you the enclosed which I ought to have sent you when I wrote last.'"

Still another dispute is now chronicled. Miss J. states that she wrote the Duke a letter in which she referred to his "brushing up his chair to me with so much familiarity during his last visit." The Duke's answer shows his irritation very plainly:—

London, April 18, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Compliments to Miss J. She is quite mistaken. He has no Lock of Hair of Her's. He never had one.

The Duke is not aware that he has been guilty of presumption, of daring presumption.

Miss J. wrote to him a letter in which she expressed displeasure at his having omitted to call upon Her as she expected he would.

The Duke was extremely concerned that Miss J. was displeased. But he considered it best not to aggravate the Offence by writing again. If he had ventured to approach Miss J., or had written to her; he might have been accused of daring presumption. But he purposely avoided both; in order not to give fresh grounds for Irritation.

The Duke is exceedingly concerned that Miss J. should consider that she has reason to complain of Him.

He thinks that upon reflection she will be opinion [sic] that she has no reason to be offended.

Miss J. does not mention what ground she had for supposing the Duke to be in possession of a lock of her hair. He had bestowed one of his upon her, and it is only natural to surmise that she had given one of hers in return. The matter was apparently smoothed over, as there is no cessation of letters.

London, April 27, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comp^ts to Miss J. and is very sensible of the kindness of her expressions on the loss which a part of His family has recently sustained.

The Duke is much concerned to learn that Miss J. still thinks that she has cause to be displeased with the Duke.

The Duke trusts that Reflection and time will convince her; that no such cause [sic]. The Duke assures her, Miss J., that he is not sensible that he has given her such cause; by anything that he has said written done or omitted.

"In a letter dated April 29th the duke writes 'He is very grateful for the interest which Miss J. has been pleased to express about the health of the Duke's brother. The Newspapers were misinformed. The Duke's brother has not been seriously indisposed. His niece however has lost her daughter which is the misfortune to which the Duke imagined that Miss J. had referred.'"

London, May 1, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Comp^ts to Miss J. He returns many thanks for Her Note. The Duke will make enquiries respecting that of the 22^nd addressed by the Duke to Miss J. which she had not received in due course.

It is wonderful that there should be so little delay and so few mistakes in an establishment of this Description. But the few that do occur should render letter writers cautious not to write in a moment of Irritation; that which would not be written if time were taken for reflection.

Some coolness followed this letter. The Duke wrote once again saying, "He does not know what to do to please her." Miss J. adds, "Which it was quite impossible he could do while in and of 'the world.'"

A silence of over three months followed this latest tiff. Miss J., as usual, re-opened the correspondence. The Duke's reply was not cordial:—

London, August 14, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Comp^ts to Miss J. He returns His thanks for her Letter of the 13^th.

The Duke is going out of town; and he intends to go to Walmer Castle in a few days.

The Duke assures Miss J. that he has not published an Intention of giving what is called a grand Dinner at Walmer Castle.

In general he would recommend to Miss J. not to believe one Word that she reads respecting the Duke of Wellington.

London, August 16, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comp^ts to Miss J. He returns His thanks for Her letter of the 15^th.

The Duke is much concerned that Miss J. should have had the trouble of writing a second time upon the subject of misrepresentation in the Newspapers. They are really not deserving of Notice.

"The next letter from the Duke is dated Aug. 16th, with which I see a copy of a letter referring to a parcel containing Tracts, etc. for his acceptance, from which I copy as follows—'Miss J. trusts the accompanying Tracts may not be considered an intrusion, but received and perused with the prayerful consideration they deserve as not from man but from That God Who has put it into her heart to send them; relying on His own gracious Word which runs thus, "My Word shall not return unto ME void but it shall accomplish that which I please and shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it."—Miss J. begs to be excused giving her address, being desirous to avoid all observation etc. but if on her return to Town it should be the will of God that she should make His Grace acquainted with her abode, wherever that may be, (respecting which there is at present great uncertainty,) she will then give him an opportunity of acknowledging the receipt of the parcel and its consequences, hoping they may be of a gratifying nature; that is, beneficial to His Great Soul which Miss J. is still desirous to behold robed in the only Robe of righteousness that can render it safe for Eternity.'

"The letter written on Aug. 26th is as follows 'He has received and returns His thanks for her Note of Friday and the Tract enclosed therewith.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated Sept. 1st he writes—'He is happy to learn that her health is so far reestablished as that she can go to the Country.'

"The next letter from His Grace dated Oct. 5th, 1837, acknowledges the parcel referred to in mine as follows 'He returns thanks to Miss J. for Her Note of the 3rd inst. received this morning, with a Hymn for which he is very grateful. He received the Parcel containing Tracts etc, some time ago.'

"Finding a copy of the letter which called forth the above enclosed with it I am induced to give it a place herein, more especially as I perceive one portion is almost defaced, regretting exceedingly that I do not recollect the title of the Hymn alluded to and forwarded.

"'Miss J. having promised His Grace the Duke of Wellington the accompanying Hymn, takes the present opportunity for sending it, however unsuited to the taste of any but the Regenerated Soul, which blessed state Miss J. has no good reason for believing His Grace the Duke of Wellington has yet experienced. However, as there is nothing too hard for The Lord of Lords, it is not impossible that the period may arrive when the accompanying Hymn will be experimentally understood, consequently admired and valued, being one of the most beautiful to be found.

"'Miss J. is not in the habit at present of seeing any Newspaper, and is consequently unacquainted with His Grace's present proceedings. She concludes they are as worldly as ever, therefore calculated to draw from her pen nothing but a repetition of what she has so frequently written, namely; "What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and LOSE his own SOUL? or what shall a man give in exchange for his SOUL?" An important enquiry sent by her for a long time almost without interruption in every letter to His Grace,—but Alas! with how little effect!! Rest assured, the moment will arrive when a fervent desire will be experienced that such advice, entreaties, observations, Scriptures, etc, etc, etc, had been practically attended to. Yes, there is a period, and an awful one which must induce the trembling soul that has been swelled up by earthly splendor and earthly adulation, (both equally empty and unsatisfying) to exclaim in the words of Cardinal Wolsey, "Had I but served my GOD with HALF the zeal I served my King, etc."

"'That such may not be His Grace the Duke of Wellington's fearful state when the things of Time are giving place to those of Eternity, Miss J. continues fervently to hope, however groundless at present such hopes may appear.

"'Nor would she hesitate to address him more frequently if she had not from long experience proved how little impression anything she writes or says is permitted to make either in his life or conversation, having no reason to imagine the slightest alteration has taken place in his worldly feelings from the moment she first beheld him to the present—on which account God seems to think proper to restrain her pen, and address—thus preventing her from being subject to receiving Notes as formal as they are unsatisfactory, the loss of which she cannot,—does not regret, being happier, infinitely happier when allowed by her gracious Heavenly Father to indulge in, and enjoy her former as well as present loved occupations. Yet when HE thinks proper to make her do either, she submits, and only then—as the pleasure once enjoyed on such occasions has long since fled, giving place to others more satisfying.

"'Miss J. does not for a single moment by the above acknowledgments mean to offend or displease His Grace which were she to find him labouring under any serious afflictions either of body or mind she trusts her conduct would prove, as in the hour of necessity her desire would be to afford him comfort and consolation: and since he is so public a character as to insure such circumstances being generally known Miss J. trusts they will be obliged to meet her eye or ear whenever God thinks proper to occasion the one or the other—which HE can do at any moment, and to any extent, and will if His Holy Name can be magnified thereby.'

"I have underlined the above just as forwarded to His Grace.

"The Duke's next letter is dated Oct. 6th, in which he writes—'He returns his thanks for her letter of Saturday just received' also the next, dated Oct. 11th contains his thanks.

"In the Duke's next letter of the 12th of Oct. he writes—'He returns many thanks for her letter of the 10th inst.,' and his letter of the 14th of Oct. acknowledges another from me.

"In the Duke's letter of Nov. 1st he writes 'The Duke is unable to give any other answer to Miss J.'s letters excepting His thanks for taking the trouble of writing them.'

"The next is dated Nov. 7th also containing his thanks, followed by one of the 15th, the last of that year."

CHAPTER VII.

ASPIRATIONS AND REBUFFS.

"The first letter I find for this year is dated Aug. 21st 1838 which I see contains an Enclosure of three sheets addressed to Her Majesty Queen Adelaide, sent for the Duke's perusal, also to be delivered by him into Her Majesty's hands, which he felt under the necessity of declining, consequently returned it to me—having written therein as follows.

"'It is impossible for me to be at all instrumental in transmitting a letter to the Queen Dowager. Her Majesty has Chamberlains and Ladies in attendance upon Her Whose duty it is to receive and lay before H. M. the letters addressed to Her. I could not interfere in the performance of their Duties. I could not be instrumental in forwarding an anonymous Letter however proper, respectful and dictated by the Highest Motives. I could not say that I did not know that the Letter was sent; or the Writer thereof if enquiry should be made; and I should make myself liable to the Imputation of being instrumental in the forwarding to the Queen Dowager an anonymous letter! I hope therefore that you will excuse me for declining to forward this Letter and for returning it to you.

"'You are mistaken give me leave to observe in respect to the Subject to which this Letter relates. The House in which the Queen resides is Royal property; if not a Royal Palace! It is Her Majesty's Jointure House. The Royal Palaces used as such are not liable to the payment of Rates and Taxes. Her Majesty would not have been justified in making the payment on demand without reservation of the Right to Exemption. But she pays the money as a Gift which was improperly and illegally demanded as a Right. You will see it is the Parish and not the Queen which has contravened the Lord.'

"Having thus introduced so much of the Duke's letter it will be necessary to quote some passages from that referred to by him, which as implied still remains in the same position and will continue to do so among my papers for further investigation should such be resorted to after my decease; with the six cards that accompanied it, upon which are written in full: Matt. ii. 28, 29; Luke xvi. 15; Romans xii. 2; Isaiah xliii. 21; Acts xiv. 22; Hebrews xii. 6; John iii. 3; 2 Cor. v. 17; Rev. iii. 12; 1 John v. 3, 4; and James iv. 4.

"After addressing Her Majesty at length on the subject alluded to by the Duke with every desire to render 'honour to whom honour,' I next refer to the necessity of reverencing the Sabbath, adding; 'I recollect on one occasion seeing in a Newspaper that the Duke of Wellington quitted Your Majesty at Hastings for Dover on The Lord's Day and slept at the Ship Inn, on his way home.

"'Now such is the character and loyalty of His Grace that had the respected Consort of his beloved though deceased King [William IV.] only hinted a desire that he should postpone his departure until the morrow I believe it would have been sufficient to insure his immediate obedience. Consequently I could not help lamenting the omission for two reasons, feeling so desirous to behold Your Majesty a shining vessel in The Lord's Hands to show forth His praise by honouring His Commands, also, that the Duke should be restrained from doing that which on a dying bed would pain him to remember. That he like too many other men of the world acts contrary to His Maker's laws in numerous instances is, Alas! but too evident; yet I cannot for a single moment imagine him one of Your Majesty's Advisers with regard to resisting the Laws of His Country, feeling assured he is too much your real friend to approve of the same and too loyal to acquiesce in an evil the consequence of which his penetrating eye would in an instant perceive could only tend to your dishonor.

"'Fearing an evil may arise by my thus distinguishing or singling out the Duke of Wellington as an adviser, duty forbids my conclusion so immediately as intended, in order that I may beseech your Majesty to lean to no Adviser or advice in comparison with Christ and His Gospel, which if sedulously studied will in itself enable you rather to instruct the Duke of Wellington than to be instructed by him; for however great and wise he may justly be considered in a worldly point of view, he must be brought to acknowledge all his wisdom foolishness and all his greatness, littleness before he can appear worthy in His sight "in Whose presence is Life." Therefore he must be humbled before he can be exalted far beyond all that he now is even in this world, believing as I do, that his present greatness will bear no comparison with that which he will experience when robed in the "Wedding garment of Salvation" and rendered meet thereby for "an inheritance among the saints in light," considering him in The Lord's Hands a mighty vessel intended to show forth His praise in this present generation as powerfully as a Daniel, David, or Paul, living more to the glory of his Redeeming God during the few short years of his eventful life than others who have professed themselves Christians even from their infancy, consequently ranking among those of whom it is written "The last shall be first." When this great glorious change takes place in so faithful and tried a subject,—I should then encourage your Majesty to rely on his judgment not only in one case but all.'"

This astonishing production—whose impertinence borders upon sublimity—being thus returned to Miss J., she proceeded to show the Duke that she could communicate with at least one prominent personage unaided by him. She sent him the following letter from Sir Robert Peel, in answer to one she had written to that statesman:—

White Hall, April 25th.

Madam,—I avail myself of the earliest opportunity after my return to London, of acknowledging the Receipt of your last Letter and of assuring you that the former Communications with which you favored me were received by me in the spirit in which they were dictated.

I have the honor to be, Madam,

Your Obedient Servant,

Robert Peel.

Walmer Castle, August 25, 1838.

My dear Miss J.,—I return the inclosed Letter which I received yesterday; and at the same time the Spectacle Wipers which you was so kind as to send me. I had already some which you had sent me; and I am much flattered and obliged for your thinking of my convenience.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully

Wellington.

I had read the Work which you have sent me. [1] The same author has recently published another which I have got; but have not yet read.

Walmer Castle, August 27, 1838.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received your letter of the 22^nd.

You do me Justice in believing that I could not allow any circumstances to prevent my writing to you when I should think that my doing so could be useful or agreeable to you.

Feeling it to be desirable that I should write to you I should have been unpardonable if I had allowed a recollection of bygone Dissensions to induce me to address you on topicks which might displease, or in a form which would be disagreeable to you.

There is nothing under Heaven worth quarrelling about. Of all disputes and quarrels those in writing are the least pardonable. In the Heat of Conversation or of Discussion we may say that which is not justifiable. But our communications in writing are the Result of Reflection. That very act ought to cool us and prevent the use of angry and irritating expressions.

You are quite right in having determined not to address the Queen Dowager about the payment of Rates for Marlborough House. I was certain that I should convince you upon the Subject.

It is very possibly true, that some Notice ought to be taken of the above of the Queen upon this subject. But the expediency of taking such Notice must not be considered as a Matter of Course; because the answer on the part of the Queen would be triumphant.

In all these Cases particularly those in which High Personages are concerned Prudence requires that those who advise should look a little farther than the one Case under consideration.

Believe me, Ever Yours

Most faithfully

Wellington.

"By the Duke's next letter I presume I had dated one to him wrongly as he writes: 'I have received and perused with attention your letter dated the 29th, I conclude by mistake, for which I return my best thanks.'

"The next letter from the Duke is dated Aug. 31st, below which he again addresses me on Sept. 1st thus. 'Since writing the above my dear Miss J., I have received your letter of the 31st of Aug. There is no post from home today and you will not receive this acknowledgment of its receipt and thanks for it until Monday.'

"The next letter from the Duke is dated Sept. 11th in which he writes; 'I am not capable, I am sorry to acknowledge, of entering on a discussion on the topics in your letter'—and in his next of Sept. the 12th he writes; 'I can read your letters perfectly. I wish that I understood the subjects to which they relate sufficiently to be able to answer them.'"

Walmer Castle, Sept. 15, 1838.

My dear Miss J.,—I have just now received two Letters from you, both finished on the 12^th for which I return my thanks. One of them contained the Pen wipers for which I am much obliged to you.

The Story in the Newspapers about my having been consulted by the Queen about D^r Hook's Sermon is entirely false. There is no foundation whatever for it.

As far as I can Judge from the accounts that I have seen the Queen did not notice D^r Hook's Sermon in any of the Modes supposed and stated. [Endnote 1]

I am very much obliged to you for your Enquiries about my lameness. I thank God! I have entirely recovered from it.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully

Wellington.

"I need not say it rejoices me to behold thanks given to Him from whom all blessings flow.

"A. J.

"The Duke's next letter is dated Sept. 16th in which he writes; 'There is no post from the country on Saturday as there is no Delivery in London on Sunday, so you will receive both letters therefore tomorrow, possibly at the same time.' The next from the Duke is dated Sept. 20th in which he writes 'I hope that you will soon recover from your indisposition,' and in that of the 23rd he writes; 'I assure you that I was aware that you had reason to believe that the story respecting the Queen was true.' The Duke means 'was not true' for he had referred to this subject in some letter just passed through my hands.

"On Sept. the 25th 1838 the Duke writes to thank me for my letters adding 'But you do not mention your health and I hope that you have entirely recovered from your indisposition.'

"In the Duke's next letter of Sept. 26th he writes 'I am much obliged by your continued kindness.'

"By the Duke's next letter I see he refers to my offering him a Bible of larger Print as follows,

Walmer Castle, Sept 29th.

I am much obliged to you for the offer of a Bible in large Print. That which I now have answers perfectly, and I will not deprive you of another.

Walmer Castle, October 2, 1838.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received at the Same time your Letters of the 30^th Sept^r and 1 October.

I assure you that I am very sensible of your kindness; and of your motives for writing to me; and that nothing could induce me to write a Word or to commit an Act which would displease much less excite you.

When I received the expression of your wish to have my Picture I felt that the compliance with your wish might be inconvenient to you. But I postponed to give you an answer Wishing to avoid to do any thing to displease you; and thinking it possible nay probable that your own reflections would have induced you to avoid to renew the Subject.

As however you did mention it again I gave you the answer which has satisfied you.

I have not mentioned the Period of my return to London; as it is very uncertain.

Believe me My Dear Miss J.

Ever Yours most faithfully

Wellington.

"The Duke's next letter is dated Oct. 7th. 'I have four letters of yours to acknowledge the receipt of, for which I return many thanks. In one you mention your indisposition but as you have not again adverted thereto I trust that you are better.'

"The 13th of Oct. the Duke writes 'I read your letters in the order in which you wish they should be read,' before closing which letter he acknowledges or writes another therein acknowledging mine of the 12th dating this additional letter Oct. 14th.

Walmer Castle, Oct. 20, 1838.

My dear Miss J.,—I have again to acknowledge the receipt of several Letters from you commencing on Sunday the 14^th. I have been absent; and did not receive them till this morning. And as the Post for London does not go out till tomorrow, I will keep this till then in order that I may add the acknowledgment of the receipt of any other letter that you may have written me in the end of the Week.

In answer to the Wish that you have expressed to know when I shall be in London I mention that I shall not be there for some time.

You are in the Habit of writing to me freely upon all Subjects; and you say that you derive satisfaction from so doing. I assure you that I am sensible of the Interest which you feel for my Welfare; and of your Motive in writing to me.

But I confess that I cannot understand as you do, the High Authorities which you quote. I wish that I was sufficiently informed to be capable of reasoning with you whether verbally or in writing.

I do not pretend therefore to do more than acknowledge the receipt of your Letters; and thank you for your kindness.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully

Wellington.

I am delighted to find that you are so well.

October 21. There is no letter from you this day.

"In the Duke's next letter of Oct. 21st, 1838, he returns me many thanks for a letter 'commenced on the 21st and ended on the 22nd.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 3rd, referring to impressions on my mind which Time has declared to be erroneous with regard to the end God had in view, but as His glory was then as now my chief consideration I trust to behold this precious portion of Holy Writ verified therein. 'As high as the heavens are above the earth so are My Ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts,' and that God will consequently be much more glorified and magnified under existing circumstances than HE possibly could under any other for His great, glorious, Holy Name Sake!

"The next letter from His Grace is dated Nov. 10th 1838 thanking me for my last and the only remaining one of this year dated Nov. 19th wherein he returns many thanks for the letters I had sent him.

"Letters received during this year from the Duke of Wellington twenty two."

"1839.—The first letter received during this year 1839 is I see enclosed in a cover addressed to Her Majesty the Queen of England, Buckingham Palace, to whom I must have written, forwarding it to the Duke to deliver, but which as with that to Queen Adelaide was returned to me in his dated May 14th, 1839.

"Another letter in Aug. I see in like manner contains an Enclosure addressed to Her Majesty, but which was also returned under the same impression that he was not entitled to deliver such. In the Duke's next dated Nov. 17th 1839 he writes—

My dear Miss J.,—I am much obliged to you for your letter of the 15th in which you have enquired about my health as you had heard or read a report that I was indisposed. I am and have been quite well, thank God.

Ever yours most faithfully,

Wellington.

"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 14th 1839 in which he writes—'I return a letter which I opened thinking it was addressed to me but I now find it was intended for another, as I find the Name in a Note to myself.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 18th in which he writes—'I beg you not to make yourself uneasy about the missing letter.' This was a letter which miscarried and lost.

"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 24th, 1839, judging by which I presume some mistake had been made in a former epistle as he writes therein—'I receive so many letters and have so many directions to attend to; that you must not be surprised if I sometimes make a mistake.'

"The Duke's next letter is directed Dec. 28th in which he writes—'I have received your Note of the 26th. It certainly does not appear that both Notes have been opened.'

"This arose from my enclosing the Duke some covers forwarded to me which Mrs. L. thought had been unsealed.

"Another letter from the Duke on the same subject after making enquiries of his servants is dated Dec. 31st 1839.

"Letters received from the Duke of Wellington during this year eight."

"1840.—The first letter from the Duke of this year is dated Jan. the 16th, thanking me for mine of the 15th and on the 18th the Duke again writes—'I am much obliged to you for your letter of yesterday of which I acknowledge the receipt immediately with many thanks.' The Duke's next letter is dated the 20th of Jan. in which he writes—'You may rely upon it that I shall not misunderstand your communications and I am much obliged to you for the confidence reposed in me.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated Jan. 30th, 1840, by the contents of which I presume that I had expressed a wish concerning my letters being confined to his perusal as he writes: 'You may rely upon what I tell you. Nobody sees your letters. They reach me as regularly as is possible considering the greatness of the transactions of the Post Office.'

"Again in the Duke's next dated Jan. the 31st he writes 'You may rely on it your letters reach me in safety.'

London, February 3, 1840. In the Morning.

My dear Miss J.,—I received on Saturday night the 1^st Ins^t. Your Letter of the 31—Jan—; of which I acknowledge the receipt this Morning according to your Desire.

I always write as you Desire. But you must not be surprized if a letter sealed with a seal bearing the Impression of a Coronet; received for you every day at the same place should occasion some curiosity.

Nothing can be more innocent than those Letters or more praiseworthy than those, to which they are an answer. But the existence of such a correspondence is calculated to excite curiosity; and Inquiry.

Believe me Ever Yours

Most faithfully,

Wellington.

London, Feb. 5, 1840. ½ past eleven a.m.

My dear Miss J.,—I did not return from the House of Lords last night till Midnight; and did not receive Your Letter of yesterday till this Moment.

You are quite right not to desire to see me.

I refer you to what I wrote some time ago upon that Subject; on which there can be no alteration.

Ever Yours Most faithfully.

Wellington.

"The Duke's next letter is dated Feb. 20th 1840 wherein he writes—'I have only this day received your letter dated Saturday afternoon. I was indisposed last week. But thank God! I have been quite well for some days. So many letters come here for me; that I think it most probable that the Medical Gentlemen desired that none should be given me.' [Endnote 2]

"The next letter from the Duke is dated March 3rd in which he writes 'I am very much obliged to you for your letter of the 2nd Inst. now received. I thank you for mentioning my health. I was unwell about three weeks ago but, thank God! I have been quite well ever since.'"

Another quarrel is now brewing, and Miss J. must, as usual, have lodged the first complaint, since the Duke at once assumes a defensive attitude.

London, March 6, 1840. 11 a.m.

My dear Miss J.,—I am very much concerned that my affairs should render it necessary for me frequently to go into the Country; and that as you don't receive an answer to your Note you should still think it must have been perused by my Servants or someone else.

If you cannot divest yourself of this suspicion you would act more wisely in not writing to me again; if you should care one Pin who sees your Letters!

I received last night on my return to London your Letter of the 4^th and I acknowledge the receipt thereof this morning.

Believe me Ever Your

Most faithful Servant,

Wellington.

"The Duke's next letter dated March 9th wherein he writes: 'I am really much concerned that you should suppose that my last note to you was what you call Cross. But I am not so foolish as ever to be cross much less in writing.'"

The Duke seems in his next letter, dated March 11, to return to the third person again, wherein he writes after presenting his compliments: "The Duke has received her letter of the 10th, Inst. which does not appear to him to require any answer."

London, March 13, 1840. ½ past 11 a.m.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Compliments to Miss J. Miss J. thinks proper to write to the Duke; but complains of the inconvenience attending the observations of the Curious among the Publick, upon the frequency of the Correspondence.

She sometimes objects to the Substance; at others to the form of the Duke's Letters. The Duke has endeavored invariably to render them as respectful as possible to Miss J., in form as well as in Substance.

The Duke is unfortunately for him not sufficiently informed to enable Him to write upon some of the Higher and more sacred Topicks of Miss J.'s Letters. But he considers it quite useless to write to Miss J. at all; if he should omit to state His opinion when he sees that she has taken an erroneous view of that of which he has a knowledge. He submits these opinions with great deference and Respect; and he is much concerned when any of them give Offence.

London, March 14th, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Compliments to Miss J. He has just received Her Note of Friday evening the 13^th Ins^t.

The Duke is very sensible of Miss J.'s offer of Service in case the Duke should be sick or afflicted. The Duke is much obliged to Her. He is quite well. He has no reason to believe that he will have occasion to trouble Her upon any object whatever.

Indorsed in Miss J.'s hand. "Let not Him that girdeth on his harness boast himself as he that putteth it off. 1 Kings xx. 11.

"Alas! I tremble for you."

"The Duke's next letter is dated March 30th expressive of his thanks.

"The Duke's next letter is dated April 3rd in which he writes 'The Duke assures Miss J. that neither the form, manner nor substance nor even a Word in any letter of hers has offended him.' The Duke's next letter is dated April 4th in which he thanks me for my letter of that day. The Duke's next letter is dated the 4th of April in which he writes—'The Duke is much concerned to learn that Miss J. has been indisposed.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated April 10th in which he writes 'He understands that Miss J. wishes him to enclose to Mrs. L. the answers addressed to Herself although that is not stated as usual.'

"The Duke's next letter is dated April 18th in which he writes 'The Duke has never been better than for the last month and most particularly for the last few days. He is aware that reports are continually circulated to the contrary but they are entirely undeserving of credit.'"

The cause of this coolness between the Duke and Miss J. is not clear. Her Diary throws no light upon the subject, and the only clew to the dissension must be found in the Duke's letters. From these it would seem that Miss J. has again criticised his manner of writing, or resented some fancied liberty. The quarrel begun so promisingly in March is still vigorous late in April, and the Duke is making energetic but futile efforts to break off the correspondence.

Strathfieldsaye, April 24, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Compliments to Miss J. He has received her letter of the 21^st Ins^t for which he returns His thanks being convinced that Her Letters to the Duke are dictated by the best Motives.

The Duke cannot but acknowledge however that they are written to but little purpose; and considering their Tone and Tenor, the writing of them can be but little satisfaction to Miss J.; while it must be troublesome; the transmission of them embarrassing; as well as the Reception of the answers to Herself and Her friends.

Under these Circumstances the Duke would earnestly recommend to Miss J. not to write to Him again.

London, May 20, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Comp^ts to Miss J. He is much concerned to learn that His omission to acknowledge the receipt of Miss J. [sic] has occasioned any inconvenience to her. The Duke received all her Letters in due Course.

The Duke did not acknowledge the receipt of them. He really thought and thinks still that Miss J.'s correspondence with the Duke is very inconvenient to Her and Her friends; that it exposes her to the Effects of the Curiosity of the Idle; and to the observations of the Malicious; and that however much he may be obliged to the Kindness of Miss J. in writing to him, he ought to endeavour to prevail upon her to refrain from doing which [sic] may be inconvenient to Herself or to Her friends.

The Duke is thank God! and has been perfectly well, and he sincerely hopes that Miss J. is so likewise.

Indorsed by Miss J. "There is no wisdom nor understanding, nor counsel against The Lord." "My Counsel SHALL stand, and I will perform all My pleasure."

London, June 30, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Comp^ts to Miss J. He has received several Letters from Her. The last dated the 29^th Ins^t.

He has not thought it necessary to answer these Letters. He writes now only because Miss J. expressed an anxiety to know before she leaves town whether Her letters had been received.

The Duke would recommend to save Herself from such anxiety in future by omitting to write to Him.

London, July 29, 1840.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received your Note of the 28^th and I thank God! that I am and have been quite well for this last week.

There was some casual Derangement of my Stomach a week ago; and the Editors of Newspapers immediately discovered that I was in great Danger.

They forget that their Reporters reported that I appeared in the House of Lords quite well.

I am very much flattered by the anxiety which you express for my recovery. I assure you that I am as well as I have been for Years.

Believe me Ever Your most faithful Servant,

Wellington.

London, August 3, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His compliments to Miss J., and again returns His thanks for Her Kind Enquiries about His Health.

The Duke is quite well. He earnestly recommends to Miss J. to be satisfied with the Accounts which she gets in the Newspapers.

It is impossible for the Duke to be certain of receiving a letter from Miss J. to a Moment; and that he will be able to send an answer forthwith. He has frequently stated this to Her; and in order to avoid disappointment he now tells her that he will write no more.

Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass, when THE LORD commandeth it NOT?

Lam. iii. 37.

Indorsed by Miss J.

Miss J. writes in her Diary at this period:

"Whether the Duke would write again or not, I told him in my reply, must depend upon God rather than himself, adding that I never wished to hear from him till God pleased, and defied him accordingly,—trusting in 'The Lord of Lords.'"

CHAPTER VIII.

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.'