London, Jan. 13, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I beg your pardon if I have written a line or used an expression which could annoy you. Believe me; it is the thing of all others that I would wish to avoid! And that there is nobody more strongly impressed than I am with veneration for your Virtues, attainments and Sentiments!Believe me Ever YoursMost sincerely,Wellington.
London, Jan. 13, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I beg your pardon if I have written a line or used an expression which could annoy you. Believe me; it is the thing of all others that I would wish to avoid! And that there is nobody more strongly impressed than I am with veneration for your Virtues, attainments and Sentiments!
Believe me Ever Yours
Most sincerely,
Wellington.
This quarrel is of chief interest as indicating that Miss J.'s anxiety for the Duke's soul was not altogether disinterested. If it had been, her resentment at his gallantry would hardly have been expressed in this manner. It is evident that to her mind, the Duke had been trifling with her. His kindly reception of her efforts to promote his "everlasting welfare" had raised hopes that would have seemed absurd to any one of every-day common-sense. She asserts openly in several places in her Diary that she believed it was the will of God that she should become the wife of the Duke.
In this persuasion she was confirmed by her friend Mrs. L.; and to her and to Miss J. there was nothing unreasonable in the expectation. The latter considered herself no whit inferior to the Duke in any respect, as she takes pains to affirm. Instances of this may be given from her Diary. She says:—
"I was impressed throughout my correspondence with and knowledge of the Duke with a feeling that the end God had in view was my exaltation for His Glory, or in other words to show forth His power.... I attach so little importance to rank or worldly grandeur, that I should have considered I conferred as high an honor on the Duke in bestowing my hand as he would in receiving it, of which he was well aware!"
"I was impressed throughout my correspondence with and knowledge of the Duke with a feeling that the end God had in view was my exaltation for His Glory, or in other words to show forth His power.... I attach so little importance to rank or worldly grandeur, that I should have considered I conferred as high an honor on the Duke in bestowing my hand as he would in receiving it, of which he was well aware!"
Miss J. judged herself to be actuated by no worldly motives in her desire for such promotion. She cleverly concealed the mundane nature of her aspirations even from herself. Throughout, her declaration is that her sole aim in life has invariably been, "Glorify Thyself in Me!" By her elevation to a position where she will be a centre of observation she hopes to influence those ungodly souls by whom she will be surrounded, and to imbue them with true piety. She writes:—
"I in my turn was permitted to love the Duke, but the honor and glory of God were ever my consideration. Consequently such affection of mine being of so opposite a nature to his own was principally displayed in my watchful solicitude for his everlasting welfare, concerning which I was firm and faithful throughout, believing God would convert himeventually, causing him to shine forth gloriously in His adorable service. As in that case the erroneous impressions in my mind would in all probability have been verified, I looked forward to becoming as 'a city set on a hill which cannot be hid,' conceiving such exaltation would admit of showing forthHispraisesopenlybefore men. But I doubt not that I amfarhappier thus situated, enjoying a lively sense of His Divine, Adorable presence than I could possibly have had under the turmoil attending more exalted circumstances. As the poor Duke evidently did everything in his power to overcome the feelings referred to, I am aware theWorldcould form no idea of the extent or power of the same without this explanation from my pen."
"I in my turn was permitted to love the Duke, but the honor and glory of God were ever my consideration. Consequently such affection of mine being of so opposite a nature to his own was principally displayed in my watchful solicitude for his everlasting welfare, concerning which I was firm and faithful throughout, believing God would convert himeventually, causing him to shine forth gloriously in His adorable service. As in that case the erroneous impressions in my mind would in all probability have been verified, I looked forward to becoming as 'a city set on a hill which cannot be hid,' conceiving such exaltation would admit of showing forthHispraisesopenlybefore men. But I doubt not that I amfarhappier thus situated, enjoying a lively sense of His Divine, Adorable presence than I could possibly have had under the turmoil attending more exalted circumstances. As the poor Duke evidently did everything in his power to overcome the feelings referred to, I am aware theWorldcould form no idea of the extent or power of the same without this explanation from my pen."
The Duke's affection for Miss J. can hardly have been altogether the work of her imagination. Besides the interview copied in her Diary, there is the evidence of the correspondence. True, his epistles are lacking in open protestations of devotion. Miss J. herself remarks that the Duke's letters were always cautiously written. He was too much a man of the world to run the risk of compromising himself in black and white. But the very existence of this correspondence, extending over a period of seventeen years, is a strong argument in favor of his having felt for her a remarkably warm friendship at the least.
It can hardly be supposed that the Duke seriously intended to marry Miss J. As he himself writes to her,—
"I should not treat you as I should wish to be treated myself. The commands of all others which we ought to obey are those dictated to us by our social relations. What would be said, if I, a man of seventy years of age, nearly, were to take in marriage a lady young enough to be my Granddaughter?"
"I should not treat you as I should wish to be treated myself. The commands of all others which we ought to obey are those dictated to us by our social relations. What would be said, if I, a man of seventy years of age, nearly, were to take in marriage a lady young enough to be my Granddaughter?"
Upon this Miss J. comments:—
"Alas! Alas!how deceitful is the human heart! For I am convinced that although the Dukewrotethus, there was not a moment during our acquaintance when if I hadnotbeenby the Grace of Godwhat I was and am that he would have thought I was too young to bow down before me with the most sinful adulation."
"Alas! Alas!how deceitful is the human heart! For I am convinced that although the Dukewrotethus, there was not a moment during our acquaintance when if I hadnotbeenby the Grace of Godwhat I was and am that he would have thought I was too young to bow down before me with the most sinful adulation."
What was either a flirtation or a manifestation of fatherly fondness on the part of the Duke was a grand passion to Miss J. Perhaps her vanity was as deeply touched as her heart; but those who knew her best declared that never until the Duke's death did she resign all hope of becoming the Duchess of Wellington.
In another part of her Diary she writes, with the diffuseness and reiteration that mark her style:—
"That I loved the Duke I am not ashamed to say, God knows, and that too with the purest affection. Consequently when he asked me if I felt sufficient to be with him a whole life, (which was the question referred to in that odious letter, for odious indeed it still appears in my sight, yea, increasingly so with time, for I recoil with unspeakable horror from the thought that I could be thus enquired of without being clearly comprehended), I replied to the same in the following words, 'If it be the will of God,' not supposing for a moment, as expressed, that such an enquiry could be made of one with God's Holy Book before me, to which I had been attracting his attention with all the reverence and veneration so holy an employment demanded, except under intentions the most honorable. This idea many would perhaps say must have arisen from my want of knowledge of mankind and the world etc. But in that case how was it that dear Mrs. L——, a perfect woman of the world in her early life, could think the same and consequently encourage such views?"
"That I loved the Duke I am not ashamed to say, God knows, and that too with the purest affection. Consequently when he asked me if I felt sufficient to be with him a whole life, (which was the question referred to in that odious letter, for odious indeed it still appears in my sight, yea, increasingly so with time, for I recoil with unspeakable horror from the thought that I could be thus enquired of without being clearly comprehended), I replied to the same in the following words, 'If it be the will of God,' not supposing for a moment, as expressed, that such an enquiry could be made of one with God's Holy Book before me, to which I had been attracting his attention with all the reverence and veneration so holy an employment demanded, except under intentions the most honorable. This idea many would perhaps say must have arisen from my want of knowledge of mankind and the world etc. But in that case how was it that dear Mrs. L——, a perfect woman of the world in her early life, could think the same and consequently encourage such views?"
Long after the Duke had wearied of his passing fancy Miss J. clung to the idea that she could yet draw him to her. Her secluded life, given up to good works and pious meditations, and still later her confirmed ill-health, heightened her unworldliness, and rendered it more than ever difficult for her to see the impossibility of what in the eyes of the Duke and his family and friends would have been a misalliance.
It is perhaps uncharitable to suppose that Miss J. intended by her assumed reluctance to grant the Duke a third interview to force him to make a formal declaration of his intentions and ask her hand in marriage. If this, however, was her plan, it met with a signal failure. Clearly nothing was farther from the Duke's thoughts than to make himself the butt of popular ridicule by taking a wife forty-five years younger than himself, and of retired even though perfectly respectable social position. Besides that, it can hardly be wondered at if the Duke, a man free from binding domestic ties, were not in a humor to place permanently at his elbow so strict a mentor as Miss J., no matter how pretty she might be. The prudishness and piety that were fascinating in a beautiful woman seldom seen, would wax wearisome in the most charming creature bound to him by indissoluble ties.
CHAPTER IV.
SMOOTH WATERS.
London, June 2, 1835.My dear MissJ.,—I received your Note. We perfectly understand each other; and with your permission I will call upon you to-morrow at three o'clock.There is only one point that I wish to explain in reference to our last meeting. There might have been a difference of Manner. There was none of feeling.You told me that you had written to me; and I certainly was anxious to possess your Letters. You certainly wished to take them out of the Paquet; but if I had thought that your reluctance to give them was deeply felt, you may rely upon it that I would not have pressed to have them.At all events my perusal of them has occasioned an explanation which can do no Harm.Believe me ever Yours most sincerelyW.
London, June 2, 1835.
My dear MissJ.,—I received your Note. We perfectly understand each other; and with your permission I will call upon you to-morrow at three o'clock.
There is only one point that I wish to explain in reference to our last meeting. There might have been a difference of Manner. There was none of feeling.
You told me that you had written to me; and I certainly was anxious to possess your Letters. You certainly wished to take them out of the Paquet; but if I had thought that your reluctance to give them was deeply felt, you may rely upon it that I would not have pressed to have them.
At all events my perusal of them has occasioned an explanation which can do no Harm.
Believe me ever Yours most sincerely
W.
From this it appears that the personal interviews had recommenced. The letters now follow one another closely.
London, June 15, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I have received your Letter of this Day, for which I return many thanks.I was not able to go to see you last week as I intended. I was confined to my Home by Indisposition for some days; and I was much occupied. I am going out of town to-morrow. But I hope to be able to go to see [sic] on Saturday at three o'clock if you should not at that time have left town for the Seaside?I will bring with me the Letters and Books which you lent me. I have read that one which you wish that I should return to you.If you should go before I shall see you again I hope that you will let me know where.Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyWellington.
London, June 15, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I have received your Letter of this Day, for which I return many thanks.
I was not able to go to see you last week as I intended. I was confined to my Home by Indisposition for some days; and I was much occupied. I am going out of town to-morrow. But I hope to be able to go to see [sic] on Saturday at three o'clock if you should not at that time have left town for the Seaside?
I will bring with me the Letters and Books which you lent me. I have read that one which you wish that I should return to you.
If you should go before I shall see you again I hope that you will let me know where.
Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely
Wellington.
Miss J. states that the book here alluded to was an account of the conversion of the criminal Cook, and touches upon her instrumentality in bringing about this result.
London, June 22nd, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I have read all your Letters since I saw you on Saturday. Why do you not send each of them to me when you write it?I think that you will have perceived on Saturday that you was mistaken in the Notion under which you wrote some of them.We may differ in opinion and I may be in Error. But I assure you that I cannot feel otherwise than grateful to you for your kindness to me; and respect and veneration for the Motives for it.Let me know before you go out of town that I may not misdirect a Letter to you.Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely,Wellington.
London, June 22nd, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I have read all your Letters since I saw you on Saturday. Why do you not send each of them to me when you write it?
I think that you will have perceived on Saturday that you was mistaken in the Notion under which you wrote some of them.
We may differ in opinion and I may be in Error. But I assure you that I cannot feel otherwise than grateful to you for your kindness to me; and respect and veneration for the Motives for it.
Let me know before you go out of town that I may not misdirect a Letter to you.
Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely,
Wellington.
In the latter part of June Miss J. went to Ramsgate. The Duke's letter of July 1st is directed there:—
London, July 1st, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I am very sorry if in my Letter of Monday I should have said a Word which could have hurt your feelings. I think that by this time you ought to be convinced that I could not intend to do so.I might have done so erroneously. I might have been misled by circumstances. But I could not willingly hurt the feelings of any body.In this particular case you forget that you asked the Question whether your letters were not overweight. I told you that they were.I likewise informed you of a Rule which we are all under the necessity of adopting; that is of returning Letters over weight; because too many Persons are in the habit of thinking that they may inclose their Letters to a well known Person; and the Charge becomes enormous. Under these circumstances my Porter has the usual order not to take in Letters overweight; which he generally returns; unless I should happen to be in the House when he enquires. I stated the fact very shortly, as I generally do; in answer to a question from yourself; and I pointed out to you that if you desired to write to me more than you could put in two Sheets, you should put your Letter in two or three or more covers.You must not be so susceptible. Rely upon it, that many many Years will pass over your Head; before I shall intentionally offend you.Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyW.
London, July 1st, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I am very sorry if in my Letter of Monday I should have said a Word which could have hurt your feelings. I think that by this time you ought to be convinced that I could not intend to do so.
I might have done so erroneously. I might have been misled by circumstances. But I could not willingly hurt the feelings of any body.
In this particular case you forget that you asked the Question whether your letters were not overweight. I told you that they were.
I likewise informed you of a Rule which we are all under the necessity of adopting; that is of returning Letters over weight; because too many Persons are in the habit of thinking that they may inclose their Letters to a well known Person; and the Charge becomes enormous. Under these circumstances my Porter has the usual order not to take in Letters overweight; which he generally returns; unless I should happen to be in the House when he enquires. I stated the fact very shortly, as I generally do; in answer to a question from yourself; and I pointed out to you that if you desired to write to me more than you could put in two Sheets, you should put your Letter in two or three or more covers.
You must not be so susceptible. Rely upon it, that many many Years will pass over your Head; before I shall intentionally offend you.
Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely
W.
July 7, 1835.I have received your two Letters My Dear Miss J., and according to your desire I write immediately.My writing is not very legible by a person not accustomed to it. But I never could have intended to apply the word mistrust to you.You expressed apprehension that your Letters might be seen by a third person; as they might have been returned to the Post Office.I did not write the wordrelativesbutrelations, and that not in the meaning of relatives. I adverted to your ordinary relations with other persons, which I said must be attended by some observance of their Habits and Customs.However, there is an end of this matter. I hope that your writing to me will never be disturbed again by any checks or difficulties; or expressions which I assure you can never be intended to convey any meaning but one of kindness towards you, and of admiration of your Talents, your character and your Devotion to what is good. Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyW.
July 7, 1835.
I have received your two Letters My Dear Miss J., and according to your desire I write immediately.
My writing is not very legible by a person not accustomed to it. But I never could have intended to apply the word mistrust to you.
You expressed apprehension that your Letters might be seen by a third person; as they might have been returned to the Post Office.
I did not write the wordrelativesbutrelations, and that not in the meaning of relatives. I adverted to your ordinary relations with other persons, which I said must be attended by some observance of their Habits and Customs.
However, there is an end of this matter. I hope that your writing to me will never be disturbed again by any checks or difficulties; or expressions which I assure you can never be intended to convey any meaning but one of kindness towards you, and of admiration of your Talents, your character and your Devotion to what is good. Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely
W.
Of the following letters Miss J. gives extracts in her Diary. There are few of his epistles in which the Duke fails to express his thanks to Miss J. for her kindness in writing to him. However gratifying this may have been to her, the constant repetition becomes monotonous to the indifferent reader. Miss J. writes:—
"The next letter from His Grace is dated July 11th, 1835, in which he writes—'You are mistaken in thinking that I at all disapprove of the independence of character and conduct which I had observed. I hope that you may never feel otherwise towards me than in the State of Independence to say and write to me whatever your mind may suggest.'"In his letter of July 18th the Duke writes—'I thank you for your Letter received this morning. What I meant by reflection was not to call your attention to anything particularly passing in the world, but to the impressions made upon your own mind by any circumstance you might have observed.——You will tell me that God will direct you. So He will. But He has given us a Mind, the power of comparing and reflecting, of deciding what is true and what is false and He requires us to exercise our judgment in Matters on which He has given us the capability of forming judgment. You'll tell me that I am acting your part and teaching you instead of attending to you. But I beg you observe it is only in explanation of what I wrote to you in a former letter upon the subject of your change of opinion respecting an individual at Ramsgate.'"The Duke here refers to a Preacher who had spoken in the open air at Ramsgate of whom I had previously written.""The Duke's next letter implies that he understood I was about to return to Town, inducing him to express an intention of calling on me but such was not the will of The Lord of Lords, therefore I did not accede to it, but proceeded expeditiously from Ramsgate to Harrowgate. Here His Grace's letters followed me."
"The next letter from His Grace is dated July 11th, 1835, in which he writes—'You are mistaken in thinking that I at all disapprove of the independence of character and conduct which I had observed. I hope that you may never feel otherwise towards me than in the State of Independence to say and write to me whatever your mind may suggest.'
"In his letter of July 18th the Duke writes—'I thank you for your Letter received this morning. What I meant by reflection was not to call your attention to anything particularly passing in the world, but to the impressions made upon your own mind by any circumstance you might have observed.——You will tell me that God will direct you. So He will. But He has given us a Mind, the power of comparing and reflecting, of deciding what is true and what is false and He requires us to exercise our judgment in Matters on which He has given us the capability of forming judgment. You'll tell me that I am acting your part and teaching you instead of attending to you. But I beg you observe it is only in explanation of what I wrote to you in a former letter upon the subject of your change of opinion respecting an individual at Ramsgate.'
"The Duke here refers to a Preacher who had spoken in the open air at Ramsgate of whom I had previously written."
"The Duke's next letter implies that he understood I was about to return to Town, inducing him to express an intention of calling on me but such was not the will of The Lord of Lords, therefore I did not accede to it, but proceeded expeditiously from Ramsgate to Harrowgate. Here His Grace's letters followed me."
London, July 24th, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I received your Letter by the Post written on Wednesday; and have this day received that written in London to inform me that you was about to go to Harrowgate. I am much obliged to you for both.It is true that I am in the habit of writing Answers to all Letters. But I feel great satisfaction in writing to some; to those in particular from whom I am desirous of receiving Letters; and who express a Desire to hear from me.I am very glad that you corrected your first Impressions respecting your Preacher. I believe that we cannot too frequently pass in review our opinions upon what passes before us. We shall find ourselves frequently in Error.I sincerely hope that the Waters of Harrowgate, may have the effect of restoring Your Health entirely. Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyW.
London, July 24th, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I received your Letter by the Post written on Wednesday; and have this day received that written in London to inform me that you was about to go to Harrowgate. I am much obliged to you for both.
It is true that I am in the habit of writing Answers to all Letters. But I feel great satisfaction in writing to some; to those in particular from whom I am desirous of receiving Letters; and who express a Desire to hear from me.
I am very glad that you corrected your first Impressions respecting your Preacher. I believe that we cannot too frequently pass in review our opinions upon what passes before us. We shall find ourselves frequently in Error.
I sincerely hope that the Waters of Harrowgate, may have the effect of restoring Your Health entirely. Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely
W.
London, August 3, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I have received your letter of the 31st and I am really much concerned to learn that I have again created a feeling of displeasure in your Mind by having omitted to notice the Inconvenience which you felt upon your Journey to Harrowgate.There is always Inconvenience in travelling in a Stage Coach. It cannot be otherwise. Indeed it is wonderful that there should be so little; and I must observe that there is less of a physical and personal Nature in travelling in this Manner in England than elsewhere. The Inconvenience felt in England is of a moral and mental description. It is formed of the trash and nonsense which a traveller is condemned to hear in these vehicles; because every body talks; and says not what he thinks but what the fancy of the Moment suggests. For this which was the particular Inconvenience which you suffered upon this Journey, there is no remedy, butPatience;and I would addSilence.You would practice neither. You would not sitpatientlyand hear the stupid Irreligion of the Talker; you would reply to Him; and this occasioned much of the Annoyance which occurred.I find that I am again taking your part, instead of my own. I do so in my own satisfaction. If you are not satisfied with my observations, you will at least perceive that I had read, nay more reflected upon your Letter and the account you gave of yourself.But why should you torment yourself by thinking that I did not read, and did not care for what you represented that you suffered. You must be aware that you are mistaken! Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyW.
London, August 3, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I have received your letter of the 31st and I am really much concerned to learn that I have again created a feeling of displeasure in your Mind by having omitted to notice the Inconvenience which you felt upon your Journey to Harrowgate.
There is always Inconvenience in travelling in a Stage Coach. It cannot be otherwise. Indeed it is wonderful that there should be so little; and I must observe that there is less of a physical and personal Nature in travelling in this Manner in England than elsewhere. The Inconvenience felt in England is of a moral and mental description. It is formed of the trash and nonsense which a traveller is condemned to hear in these vehicles; because every body talks; and says not what he thinks but what the fancy of the Moment suggests. For this which was the particular Inconvenience which you suffered upon this Journey, there is no remedy, butPatience;and I would addSilence.
You would practice neither. You would not sitpatientlyand hear the stupid Irreligion of the Talker; you would reply to Him; and this occasioned much of the Annoyance which occurred.
I find that I am again taking your part, instead of my own. I do so in my own satisfaction. If you are not satisfied with my observations, you will at least perceive that I had read, nay more reflected upon your Letter and the account you gave of yourself.
But why should you torment yourself by thinking that I did not read, and did not care for what you represented that you suffered. You must be aware that you are mistaken! Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely
W.
"I presume from the Duke's next letter that I had given him a description of my interview and acquaintance with Major and Mrs. P. as he therein writes—'I am very happy that you have again seen Major and Mrs. P. I don't wonder that they should have been desirous of finding you.'"In his next, dated the 4th, he writes—'I hope, indeed I am certain that you will not cease to write to me what you feel and that you will excuse me if I sometimes venture to act your part although not exactly in your department. I came down to the house of Lords directly after the Post arrived and I am writing to you from thence.' Judging by the next letter, dated August 6th, I had made some enquiry concerning Major P. as the Duke replies thus, 'I don't recollect Major P. But as nearly every officer in the Army who has served has served with me I don't doubt that he has. Ask him in what regiment he served.'"
"I presume from the Duke's next letter that I had given him a description of my interview and acquaintance with Major and Mrs. P. as he therein writes—'I am very happy that you have again seen Major and Mrs. P. I don't wonder that they should have been desirous of finding you.'
"In his next, dated the 4th, he writes—'I hope, indeed I am certain that you will not cease to write to me what you feel and that you will excuse me if I sometimes venture to act your part although not exactly in your department. I came down to the house of Lords directly after the Post arrived and I am writing to you from thence.' Judging by the next letter, dated August 6th, I had made some enquiry concerning Major P. as the Duke replies thus, 'I don't recollect Major P. But as nearly every officer in the Army who has served has served with me I don't doubt that he has. Ask him in what regiment he served.'"
London, August 7, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I beg pardon again for having omitted to notice the personal Inconvenience you suffered in your Journey to and your arrival in Harrowgate. I should have thought the impertinent Blasphemy of the Travellers in the Stage Coach would have annoyed you more than any personal inconvenience.I see no chance of my quitting London; or of having one moment's respite from Business. I passed twelve Hours yesterday; and I am going to pass twelve Hours this day in the House of Peers. I hope therefore that I shall see you even though your stay in Harrowgate should be prolonged more than you expect.Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyW.
London, August 7, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I beg pardon again for having omitted to notice the personal Inconvenience you suffered in your Journey to and your arrival in Harrowgate. I should have thought the impertinent Blasphemy of the Travellers in the Stage Coach would have annoyed you more than any personal inconvenience.
I see no chance of my quitting London; or of having one moment's respite from Business. I passed twelve Hours yesterday; and I am going to pass twelve Hours this day in the House of Peers. I hope therefore that I shall see you even though your stay in Harrowgate should be prolonged more than you expect.
Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely
W.
This, with the other letters given entire, is copied from the original MS. in the Duke's handwriting. Miss J. quotes only a line from the above, and goes on to one written the next day:—
"In that dated the 8th of August the Duke writes 'I don't consider with you that it is necessary to enter into a disputation with every wandering Blasphemer—much must depend upon the circumstances. But I must say that the Meekness of the Christian is better displayed by silence on such an occasion, and more good is done by contempt than by any disputation. However I may be wrong and you right and I only suggest my own opinion.'"In the Duke's letter dated August 8th he alludes kindly to my health, adding 'I am very much flattered by your letters but I hope that you will not think it necessary to write when it will produce pain or uneasiness to make such an exertion. As long as your silence will not be attributed to your being offended at anything I may have done or written, or may have omitted I shall regret it as it will prove to me that you are indisposed but I shall not feel that you are displeased.' By the Duke's next letter, dated August 12th, I presume I had referred to his time being so much occupied as he in reply writes 'It is true that I am very much occupied, and cannot tell when I shall be less so. But I am at all times happy to hear from you and to write you an answer in return.'"In the Duke's little lecturing letter of the 13th of August he writes; 'I beg you not to hesitate about writing to me whenever it can be agreeable to you. I am not capable of answering you and quoting Chapter and verse in support of my answer but I take from your own letter a word which I think supports my opinion, "Charity beareth all things." You will quote much to show that you ought to enter the lists upon every occasion that offers or rather that is intruded upon you, etc, etc, etc. You see that I am fast taking your part from you.'"O that you could! for it was my desire that the Duke should become a Paul in his generation, sitting at his feet accordingly."In the Duke's letter of the 14th of August he writes—'My attendance in the House of Lords is not at this moment so constant as it was some days ago. Yet its business occupies much of my time in the morning but I have some for other purposes.'"By the Duke's letter of the 17th I must have assured him of my intention to return to Town—for he writes—'I shall not have left London when you will return and I will certainly call upon you as soon as I shall have heard where you will be. I shall still be as I am now, much occupied with the Business of Parliament but I don't doubt that I shall be able to find a moment to call upon you either in the morning or the evening.'"In the Duke's letter of the 18th he kindly advises me not to travel at night fearing it may prove injurious adding 'I have more experience than most persons in travelling.'"In the Duke's letter of August 19th he writes as follows—'I write to you constantly in return for your letters and I find time to do so without inconvenience, but I am afraid that I shall not be able to go to see you with so much fidelity. A visit takes time, to write a letter is an affair of a few minutes. I am never in Town excepting during the sitting of Parliament and then only when there is much business to be transacted which occupies my whole time.'"By the Duke's of the 20th I must have complained of the worldliness, etc. around me for he writes after remarking thereon; 'But if you should recover your health there you must not mind the annoyance of the irregularities of what is called the Company.' The Duke kindly says in his next, dated August 21st, 'I hope you are not coming away sooner than is good for you.'"In the Duke's next letter of the 22nd of August he writes—'I shall expect to hear from you when you will arrive and will be settled in London and I will pay you a visit as soon afterwards as it will be in my power.'"The next letter from the Duke is dated August 26th, implying he proposed calling when in his power, but adds 'You arrive at a moment in which I am much occupied. You are at some distance from hence; and I don't think that from nine in the morning till 12 at night I could easily find half an hour which I can call my own and at my disposition.'"In the Duke's letter of the 27th he writes; 'I will endeavor to call upon you this day before three. I cannot afterwards. If I should call when you don't expect me I will send up that I am the Gentleman to whom you wrote; unless I should previously hear from you that I may mention my Name.'"Which of course I did not allow, as it was not my desire to be noticed in the neighborhood, shrinking from it then, as I do now, when it can be avoided. I recollect the Duke's visit well for he had to wait until I was dressed by dear Mrs. L. who was in the house at the time, as usual, for I think he came earlier than I had expected. Consequently in his next of the 29th he writes; 'I don't see why you are to take the trouble of dressing to receive me. But that is your own affair. If you should do so I can wait with Patience.'"This was very pretty in His Grace, but as my dress was always very simple, it did not require any great exercise of that virtue."By the Duke's next letter of Sept. 1st I fear another letter is missing as he writes therein 'Mine of yesterday morning will have informed you that I was obliged to attend the King at Windsor on Saturday and a part of His family at Kew on Sunday.—I did not say thatallmy time was passed in the House of Lords. Much of it is certainly passed out of the House, but a great part of it is passed in receiving and talking to the Hundreds, I may say, of the persons who have business in the House and come to converse on the business with me.'"In the Duke's next letter of Sept. 4th he writes; 'I received this morning your letter of yesterday, but have not received the Tract that you mention. It is possibly too heavy for the 2nd Post.'"Perhaps this was the case, as I do not recollect hearing any more of it. The next letter from His Grace is dated the same, Sept. 4th, Noon, in which he writes; 'I will endeavor to fix and let you know the time in which I can wait upon you again.'"The Duke's next is dated Sept. 5th, in which he writes; 'I was in the House of Lords from 5 in the evening till two this morning. I am much obliged to you for the Tract which I will return as soon as I shall have perused it.' I presume this must have been a little book entitled The Joy of Israel as I onlylentthat to people, its having been a Gift, for it is still in my possession. In the Duke's next, dated Sept. 7th, the Duke writes—'I have received your letter written on Saturday for which I return you many thanks. I am very sorry that I am so much occupied as to be unable to make my acknowledgments in person.'"The Duke's next letter of Sept. 9th acknowledges one from me wherein I presume I have shown submission to the Divine will concerning the difficulty attending his visits for he writes;"'This could not be otherwise. In the mean time be assured that I am anxious to have the pleasure and benefit of conversing with you as often as it may be in my power to see you.'"
"In that dated the 8th of August the Duke writes 'I don't consider with you that it is necessary to enter into a disputation with every wandering Blasphemer—much must depend upon the circumstances. But I must say that the Meekness of the Christian is better displayed by silence on such an occasion, and more good is done by contempt than by any disputation. However I may be wrong and you right and I only suggest my own opinion.'
"In the Duke's letter dated August 8th he alludes kindly to my health, adding 'I am very much flattered by your letters but I hope that you will not think it necessary to write when it will produce pain or uneasiness to make such an exertion. As long as your silence will not be attributed to your being offended at anything I may have done or written, or may have omitted I shall regret it as it will prove to me that you are indisposed but I shall not feel that you are displeased.' By the Duke's next letter, dated August 12th, I presume I had referred to his time being so much occupied as he in reply writes 'It is true that I am very much occupied, and cannot tell when I shall be less so. But I am at all times happy to hear from you and to write you an answer in return.'
"In the Duke's little lecturing letter of the 13th of August he writes; 'I beg you not to hesitate about writing to me whenever it can be agreeable to you. I am not capable of answering you and quoting Chapter and verse in support of my answer but I take from your own letter a word which I think supports my opinion, "Charity beareth all things." You will quote much to show that you ought to enter the lists upon every occasion that offers or rather that is intruded upon you, etc, etc, etc. You see that I am fast taking your part from you.'
"O that you could! for it was my desire that the Duke should become a Paul in his generation, sitting at his feet accordingly.
"In the Duke's letter of the 14th of August he writes—'My attendance in the House of Lords is not at this moment so constant as it was some days ago. Yet its business occupies much of my time in the morning but I have some for other purposes.'
"By the Duke's letter of the 17th I must have assured him of my intention to return to Town—for he writes—'I shall not have left London when you will return and I will certainly call upon you as soon as I shall have heard where you will be. I shall still be as I am now, much occupied with the Business of Parliament but I don't doubt that I shall be able to find a moment to call upon you either in the morning or the evening.'
"In the Duke's letter of the 18th he kindly advises me not to travel at night fearing it may prove injurious adding 'I have more experience than most persons in travelling.'
"In the Duke's letter of August 19th he writes as follows—'I write to you constantly in return for your letters and I find time to do so without inconvenience, but I am afraid that I shall not be able to go to see you with so much fidelity. A visit takes time, to write a letter is an affair of a few minutes. I am never in Town excepting during the sitting of Parliament and then only when there is much business to be transacted which occupies my whole time.'
"By the Duke's of the 20th I must have complained of the worldliness, etc. around me for he writes after remarking thereon; 'But if you should recover your health there you must not mind the annoyance of the irregularities of what is called the Company.' The Duke kindly says in his next, dated August 21st, 'I hope you are not coming away sooner than is good for you.'
"In the Duke's next letter of the 22nd of August he writes—'I shall expect to hear from you when you will arrive and will be settled in London and I will pay you a visit as soon afterwards as it will be in my power.'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated August 26th, implying he proposed calling when in his power, but adds 'You arrive at a moment in which I am much occupied. You are at some distance from hence; and I don't think that from nine in the morning till 12 at night I could easily find half an hour which I can call my own and at my disposition.'
"In the Duke's letter of the 27th he writes; 'I will endeavor to call upon you this day before three. I cannot afterwards. If I should call when you don't expect me I will send up that I am the Gentleman to whom you wrote; unless I should previously hear from you that I may mention my Name.'
"Which of course I did not allow, as it was not my desire to be noticed in the neighborhood, shrinking from it then, as I do now, when it can be avoided. I recollect the Duke's visit well for he had to wait until I was dressed by dear Mrs. L. who was in the house at the time, as usual, for I think he came earlier than I had expected. Consequently in his next of the 29th he writes; 'I don't see why you are to take the trouble of dressing to receive me. But that is your own affair. If you should do so I can wait with Patience.'
"This was very pretty in His Grace, but as my dress was always very simple, it did not require any great exercise of that virtue.
"By the Duke's next letter of Sept. 1st I fear another letter is missing as he writes therein 'Mine of yesterday morning will have informed you that I was obliged to attend the King at Windsor on Saturday and a part of His family at Kew on Sunday.—I did not say thatallmy time was passed in the House of Lords. Much of it is certainly passed out of the House, but a great part of it is passed in receiving and talking to the Hundreds, I may say, of the persons who have business in the House and come to converse on the business with me.'
"In the Duke's next letter of Sept. 4th he writes; 'I received this morning your letter of yesterday, but have not received the Tract that you mention. It is possibly too heavy for the 2nd Post.'
"Perhaps this was the case, as I do not recollect hearing any more of it. The next letter from His Grace is dated the same, Sept. 4th, Noon, in which he writes; 'I will endeavor to fix and let you know the time in which I can wait upon you again.'
"The Duke's next is dated Sept. 5th, in which he writes; 'I was in the House of Lords from 5 in the evening till two this morning. I am much obliged to you for the Tract which I will return as soon as I shall have perused it.' I presume this must have been a little book entitled The Joy of Israel as I onlylentthat to people, its having been a Gift, for it is still in my possession. In the Duke's next, dated Sept. 7th, the Duke writes—'I have received your letter written on Saturday for which I return you many thanks. I am very sorry that I am so much occupied as to be unable to make my acknowledgments in person.'
"The Duke's next letter of Sept. 9th acknowledges one from me wherein I presume I have shown submission to the Divine will concerning the difficulty attending his visits for he writes;
"'This could not be otherwise. In the mean time be assured that I am anxious to have the pleasure and benefit of conversing with you as often as it may be in my power to see you.'"
A few passages taken from Miss J.'s Diary at this time are interesting as displaying the intimate friendship that at this period existed between her and the Duke. On the 6th of September she writes:—
"I have been here (in London,) nearly a fortnight, yet have seen the Duke only twice, but receive letters daily,—and last night a particularly kind one. I have been expecting him, but he comes not, being so occupied with his Parliamentary business. What can I say to such things but this,—'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?' and, 'Has HE not a right to do what HE will with His own?'"September 10th.I wrote to the Duke to-day and hope the Lord will permit him to receive and answer it kindly. The Subject on which I addressed him was on Christ becoming sin for us and bearing the wrath of the Father. O Lord, I pray Thee, have mercy upon his precious soul!"September 14th.I shall have been here three weeks to morrow, during which I have seen the Duke four times, and will just allude to the subjects introduced during each visit."The first brought with it remarks ontrueNobility, obliging me to declare it is to be found only inChristandHis Righteousnessin man. I mentioned what St. Paul said when contrasting the Bereans with the Thessalonians, namely, 'These were morenoblethan thosein Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinessof mind, andsearched the Scripturesdaily,whether these things were so.'"During the second visit, I read to him the 49th Psalm and particularly called his attention to the last verse thereof thus written—'Man that is in honour and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish,' reminding him they wereGod'sWords."During his third visit I told him I should like to be hated of all men for Christ's sake! and during his fourth and last that he did not believe Christ to be The Son of God! since which I have written to him daily and the first reply I receive is one calculated to produce another check to my feelings, all of which I give up entirely to the Lord, imploring Him to govern and actuate them just as HE sees His own honor and glory require, causing me to make nothing a consideration in comparison therewith."
"I have been here (in London,) nearly a fortnight, yet have seen the Duke only twice, but receive letters daily,—and last night a particularly kind one. I have been expecting him, but he comes not, being so occupied with his Parliamentary business. What can I say to such things but this,—'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?' and, 'Has HE not a right to do what HE will with His own?'
"September 10th.I wrote to the Duke to-day and hope the Lord will permit him to receive and answer it kindly. The Subject on which I addressed him was on Christ becoming sin for us and bearing the wrath of the Father. O Lord, I pray Thee, have mercy upon his precious soul!
"September 14th.I shall have been here three weeks to morrow, during which I have seen the Duke four times, and will just allude to the subjects introduced during each visit.
"The first brought with it remarks ontrueNobility, obliging me to declare it is to be found only inChristandHis Righteousnessin man. I mentioned what St. Paul said when contrasting the Bereans with the Thessalonians, namely, 'These were morenoblethan thosein Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readinessof mind, andsearched the Scripturesdaily,whether these things were so.'
"During the second visit, I read to him the 49th Psalm and particularly called his attention to the last verse thereof thus written—'Man that is in honour and understandeth not, is like the beasts that perish,' reminding him they wereGod'sWords.
"During his third visit I told him I should like to be hated of all men for Christ's sake! and during his fourth and last that he did not believe Christ to be The Son of God! since which I have written to him daily and the first reply I receive is one calculated to produce another check to my feelings, all of which I give up entirely to the Lord, imploring Him to govern and actuate them just as HE sees His own honor and glory require, causing me to make nothing a consideration in comparison therewith."
One can hardly imagine the Iron Duke, the conqueror of Napoleon, the representative of the nation in foreign councils, the ex-Prime Minister, the man upon whom his country delighted to heap honors, hearkening meekly to these homilies from pretty lips upon what constituted true nobility. It is impossible to believe that his secret feelings were not those of amusement, however respectful his outward semblance. Nor is there much room for question as to whether he would have listened with as commendable patience had his lecturer been a man or a plain-faced woman advanced in years.
CHAPTER V.
FRESH DIFFICULTIES.
In spite of the harmonious relations existing between this curious pair of friends, another storm was brewing. The basis of this was a ridiculously slight matter. Miss J. was a stickler for all forms of deference, and carried this weakness to the verge of absurdity. Upon this was founded the quarrel. On the same day with the last entries given from her Diary one finds the following:—
"This morning I received the first letter from the Duke since his departure from Town,—and felt surprised at the alteration in the Seal,—being plain!and unlike any other before received, which I consequently acknowledged with the feeling that a want of apparent respect where thedeepestis merited ought to call forth ... My feelings were I not afraid of offending God would incline me to seal up all the Duke's letters and return them, conscious that I merit an increase rather than a diminution of respect. Except such is bestowed the Duke need not be surprised at any step The Lord may incline me to take."
"This morning I received the first letter from the Duke since his departure from Town,—and felt surprised at the alteration in the Seal,—being plain!and unlike any other before received, which I consequently acknowledged with the feeling that a want of apparent respect where thedeepestis merited ought to call forth ... My feelings were I not afraid of offending God would incline me to seal up all the Duke's letters and return them, conscious that I merit an increase rather than a diminution of respect. Except such is bestowed the Duke need not be surprised at any step The Lord may incline me to take."
One may be pardoned for the suspicion that the feelings attributed to the Lord were in fact derived from quite another source. The next day she continues to harp on the same subject:—
"September 15th.I rose this morning with the determination to write to the Duke, and did so before breakfast, when I took it to the Post Office myself, leaving the result with Him Who doeth all things well and leaveth nothing after Him."
"September 15th.I rose this morning with the determination to write to the Duke, and did so before breakfast, when I took it to the Post Office myself, leaving the result with Him Who doeth all things well and leaveth nothing after Him."
A copy of the letter is appended:—
Sept. 15th, 1835.My dear Duke,—As you only acknowledge in yours of the 13th, two letters, I beg to say there were addressed to you by yesterday, three; One, written on Thursday, another on Friday and the last on Saturday. And I take this opportunity of making two enquiries respecting which my mind is not at all satisfied.The first is; Why I am to receive a change of style in the appearance of your letters with regard to the Seal thereof? and the next,called forth thereby;Whyyoueverceased to sign yourNameat the conclusion of your letters? If either of these changes sprang from disrespect or want of confidence in my integrity, confidence, Christianity and friendship, I shall without hesitation or delay return Your Grace every letter I have in my possession, as inthatcase they will cease to have any value inmyestimation. I will also beg to decline all further intercourse, knowing that the sincerity and purity of my friendship merits both consideration and respect.You will perhaps wonder at my noticing your omission with regard to Signature after the receipt of so many letters. I should not have done so, however incomprehensible the same may have been andwasto me, had notthis additionalcircumstance tended tostrengthena momentary feeling experienced when your first letter signed W. reached me. But this I overcame, fancying you were in thehabitof doing so to all your correspondents of any and every rank, and imagining you superior to thecapabilityof taking advantage of circumstances. If I am mistaken with regard to this being ageneral habit, I amjustifiedin asking—Why such an unwarrantable liberty was taken with me? I assure you that however great my affection may be, it is not of a nature to submit toanyfeeling that is not accompanied with thedeepest respectas well as esteem, nor could the latter be either durable oracceptableunderothercircumstances.Waiting your reply before I can decide what further line of conduct to pursue, praying in the mean time to be directedby HimWho knowsallthesecret, hidden motives of the human heart without exception, I inscribe myself,Your sincere Christian friend,A. J.P.S. Since writing the above, my antipathy to the omission ofeitheryourname orseal is soincreasedthat I beg to decline receivinganyletter which does not bring with itthesemarks ofduerespect.
Sept. 15th, 1835.
My dear Duke,—As you only acknowledge in yours of the 13th, two letters, I beg to say there were addressed to you by yesterday, three; One, written on Thursday, another on Friday and the last on Saturday. And I take this opportunity of making two enquiries respecting which my mind is not at all satisfied.
The first is; Why I am to receive a change of style in the appearance of your letters with regard to the Seal thereof? and the next,called forth thereby;Whyyoueverceased to sign yourNameat the conclusion of your letters? If either of these changes sprang from disrespect or want of confidence in my integrity, confidence, Christianity and friendship, I shall without hesitation or delay return Your Grace every letter I have in my possession, as inthatcase they will cease to have any value inmyestimation. I will also beg to decline all further intercourse, knowing that the sincerity and purity of my friendship merits both consideration and respect.
You will perhaps wonder at my noticing your omission with regard to Signature after the receipt of so many letters. I should not have done so, however incomprehensible the same may have been andwasto me, had notthis additionalcircumstance tended tostrengthena momentary feeling experienced when your first letter signed W. reached me. But this I overcame, fancying you were in thehabitof doing so to all your correspondents of any and every rank, and imagining you superior to thecapabilityof taking advantage of circumstances. If I am mistaken with regard to this being ageneral habit, I amjustifiedin asking—Why such an unwarrantable liberty was taken with me? I assure you that however great my affection may be, it is not of a nature to submit toanyfeeling that is not accompanied with thedeepest respectas well as esteem, nor could the latter be either durable oracceptableunderothercircumstances.
Waiting your reply before I can decide what further line of conduct to pursue, praying in the mean time to be directedby HimWho knowsallthesecret, hidden motives of the human heart without exception, I inscribe myself,
Your sincere Christian friend,
A. J.
P.S. Since writing the above, my antipathy to the omission ofeitheryourname orseal is soincreasedthat I beg to decline receivinganyletter which does not bring with itthesemarks ofduerespect.
Not satisfied with sending off this letter, Miss J. followed it with another no less severe. In her Diary she describes the feelings that swayed her while she awaited a reply to her missives:
"September 16th—Morning.I have risen this morning (my first in this place—Hampstead—) strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. I am prepared to meet whatever HE may see fit, casting my burthen wholly on him and desirous of nothing in comparison with His honor and glory. O may He be magnified powerfully both in my life and death, and may every period of my remaining days be dedicated more devotedly unto Him than any hitherto spent; 'growing up in Him as a tree planted by the waterside' bringing forth fruit plentifully, knowing that 'it is written' 'He that abideth in ME and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit,'—Be with me graciously and mightily when I hear from the Duke today—if I do—and especially tomorrow when the reply comes to that sent off yesterday, strengthening me 'in the inner man' to treat it as Thou wouldst have me do in every respect, having no will of my own and loving Thine above all things. Thou knowest, O Gracious God, what is in the Duke's heart, and why he has recourse to the ways which have occasioned my displeasure. Therefore I give him up into Thy Hands to deal with accordingly, beseeching Thee to have mercy on his precious Soul, bringing it from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto Thyself for Christ's sake!"September 16th 1835.—Evening.The whole of this day has been marked with such divine strength from Him Who causes me to feel the force of this passage of Holy Writ 'When I am weak then am I strong,' that it is impossible to be sufficiently thankful. No letter has arrived from the Duke. However I suppose tomorrow will bring with it the anticipated answer. O may I be strengthened additionally to bear it if unkind! and prove myself ready to pluck out a right eye or cut off a right arm for Christ's sake! which we may be understood to do when we resign those dearest upon earth at His command."Friday September 18th 1835.It is now between 11 and 12 o'clock and I am sitting at my pretty window with it open, waiting to know whether the Lord sees fit to allow me to receive a letter today from the Duke in reply to my two last which have received no answers yet. O may I be strengthened 'in the inner man' to receive whatever is agreeable to the will of God, as His Child, dependent on Him for all things!"The paragraph noticed in the paper of yesterday was marked with that presumption which is ever more or less perceivable in 'the natural man,' who seems to act without any reference to the will of God whatever, declaring 'I will do this and that,' instead of remembering that their lives are in His Hands and that He can snatch them away at any moment. To see the Duke thus presumptuously reckoning on several weeks to come proves how little what I have written on that subject is alluded to, showing me still further the inefficacy of all man's endeavors until accompanied with the mighty power of God to the soul. The time I trust is at hand for this rebellious one when he will doubtlessly exclaim 'Thy mercies are infinite and Thy ways past finding out,' also 'Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that Thou visitest him?'"
"September 16th—Morning.I have risen this morning (my first in this place—Hampstead—) strong in The Lord and in the power of His might. I am prepared to meet whatever HE may see fit, casting my burthen wholly on him and desirous of nothing in comparison with His honor and glory. O may He be magnified powerfully both in my life and death, and may every period of my remaining days be dedicated more devotedly unto Him than any hitherto spent; 'growing up in Him as a tree planted by the waterside' bringing forth fruit plentifully, knowing that 'it is written' 'He that abideth in ME and I in him the same bringeth forth much fruit,'—Be with me graciously and mightily when I hear from the Duke today—if I do—and especially tomorrow when the reply comes to that sent off yesterday, strengthening me 'in the inner man' to treat it as Thou wouldst have me do in every respect, having no will of my own and loving Thine above all things. Thou knowest, O Gracious God, what is in the Duke's heart, and why he has recourse to the ways which have occasioned my displeasure. Therefore I give him up into Thy Hands to deal with accordingly, beseeching Thee to have mercy on his precious Soul, bringing it from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto Thyself for Christ's sake!
"September 16th 1835.—Evening.The whole of this day has been marked with such divine strength from Him Who causes me to feel the force of this passage of Holy Writ 'When I am weak then am I strong,' that it is impossible to be sufficiently thankful. No letter has arrived from the Duke. However I suppose tomorrow will bring with it the anticipated answer. O may I be strengthened additionally to bear it if unkind! and prove myself ready to pluck out a right eye or cut off a right arm for Christ's sake! which we may be understood to do when we resign those dearest upon earth at His command.
"Friday September 18th 1835.It is now between 11 and 12 o'clock and I am sitting at my pretty window with it open, waiting to know whether the Lord sees fit to allow me to receive a letter today from the Duke in reply to my two last which have received no answers yet. O may I be strengthened 'in the inner man' to receive whatever is agreeable to the will of God, as His Child, dependent on Him for all things!
"The paragraph noticed in the paper of yesterday was marked with that presumption which is ever more or less perceivable in 'the natural man,' who seems to act without any reference to the will of God whatever, declaring 'I will do this and that,' instead of remembering that their lives are in His Hands and that He can snatch them away at any moment. To see the Duke thus presumptuously reckoning on several weeks to come proves how little what I have written on that subject is alluded to, showing me still further the inefficacy of all man's endeavors until accompanied with the mighty power of God to the soul. The time I trust is at hand for this rebellious one when he will doubtlessly exclaim 'Thy mercies are infinite and Thy ways past finding out,' also 'Lord, what is man that Thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that Thou visitest him?'"
The Duke's replies to both Miss J.'s effusions followed one another in rapid succession:—
Strathfieldsaye, Sept. 17, 1835.My dear Miss J.,—I always understood that the important parts of a Letter were its Contents. I never much considered the Signature; provided I knew the handwriting; or the Seal provided it effectually closed the Letter.When I write to a Person with whom I am intimate, who knows my handwriting I generally sign my Initials. I don't always seal my own Letters; they are sometimes sealed by a Secretary, oftener by myself.In any Case as there are generally very many to be sealed; and the Seal frequently becomes heated, it is necessary to change it; and by accident I may have sealed a Letter to you with a blank Seal. But it is very extraordinary if it is so, as I don't believe I have such a thing! You will find this Letter however signed and sealed in what you deem the most respectful manner. And if I should write to you any more; I will take care that they shall be properly signed and sealed to your Satisfaction.I am very glad to learn that you intend to send back all the letters I ever wrote to you. I told you heretofore that I thought you had better burn them all. But if you think proper to send them in a parcel to my House; I will save you the trouble of committing them to the Flames.Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyWellington.I believe that the letter with the blank seal and signed with my Initials was sent off last Sunday night from Hartford Bridge and was franked by me; I hope that this was not deemed disrespectful.Strathfieldsaye, Sept. 18, 1835.The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. The Duke wrote an answer to Miss J. as soon as he received her Letter complaining of Disrespect in His having been in the habit of signing the Initials of His Name to the Letters which he had written to her; and in having sealed a letter addressed to her and franked by the Duke, with a plain seal.If Miss J. had waited till she would receive the answer to a letter which she wrote on Tuesday she might have been satisfied with the reasons of the Duke for the Marks of Disrespect of which Miss J. complained.The Duke has to add that since his return here, he has found upon His Table, a plain seal which it is probable was used by accident. He apologizes for having used it. At the same time he assures Miss J. that he could not have intended to be disrespectful.The Duke requests that Miss J. will be so kind as to have a parcel made of the Letters from the Duke; that she will direct it to Him in Piccadilly; and have it booked at Hampstead and sent by any Coach to London.
Strathfieldsaye, Sept. 17, 1835.
My dear Miss J.,—I always understood that the important parts of a Letter were its Contents. I never much considered the Signature; provided I knew the handwriting; or the Seal provided it effectually closed the Letter.
When I write to a Person with whom I am intimate, who knows my handwriting I generally sign my Initials. I don't always seal my own Letters; they are sometimes sealed by a Secretary, oftener by myself.
In any Case as there are generally very many to be sealed; and the Seal frequently becomes heated, it is necessary to change it; and by accident I may have sealed a Letter to you with a blank Seal. But it is very extraordinary if it is so, as I don't believe I have such a thing! You will find this Letter however signed and sealed in what you deem the most respectful manner. And if I should write to you any more; I will take care that they shall be properly signed and sealed to your Satisfaction.
I am very glad to learn that you intend to send back all the letters I ever wrote to you. I told you heretofore that I thought you had better burn them all. But if you think proper to send them in a parcel to my House; I will save you the trouble of committing them to the Flames.
Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely
Wellington.
I believe that the letter with the blank seal and signed with my Initials was sent off last Sunday night from Hartford Bridge and was franked by me; I hope that this was not deemed disrespectful.
Strathfieldsaye, Sept. 18, 1835.
The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. The Duke wrote an answer to Miss J. as soon as he received her Letter complaining of Disrespect in His having been in the habit of signing the Initials of His Name to the Letters which he had written to her; and in having sealed a letter addressed to her and franked by the Duke, with a plain seal.
If Miss J. had waited till she would receive the answer to a letter which she wrote on Tuesday she might have been satisfied with the reasons of the Duke for the Marks of Disrespect of which Miss J. complained.
The Duke has to add that since his return here, he has found upon His Table, a plain seal which it is probable was used by accident. He apologizes for having used it. At the same time he assures Miss J. that he could not have intended to be disrespectful.
The Duke requests that Miss J. will be so kind as to have a parcel made of the Letters from the Duke; that she will direct it to Him in Piccadilly; and have it booked at Hampstead and sent by any Coach to London.
Miss J. resolved to lose no time in returning the Duke's letters, and went so far as to put them up in a parcel preparatory to sending them off by coach. She thus comments:—
"In returning the parcel I send away 60 letters, received in less than 12 months."Saturday, Sept. 19, 1835.I have been to the Post Office with my last letter to the Duke and leave the result thereof with the Lord, 'Whose ways are in the deep waters and whose footsteps are unknown'. I have acknowledged myself thankful for the strength still imparted—thus fulfilling that gracious promise made to me when on my knees before I came to this place 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' I have just risen from my knees, after spreading the Duke's letters before the Lord, beseeching Him to do under present circumstances whatever seemeth good in His sight for Christ's sake. And I feel, as a prayer-hearing God He will—causing even this unkindness to work together for good, since 'His ways are not our ways' but as high above such as the heavens are above the earth—That He moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform, who can doubt that watches His divine finger in this great work? And since His purposes must stand, all I have to say is, Let them be whatever they may, I desire His Holy Will alone to be done!"My feelings will not allow me to copy this letter of the Duke's; it is so unkind; but as those words were powerfully applied at the commencement of my correspondence, 'The haughtiness of man shall be brought low etc. and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.'"
"In returning the parcel I send away 60 letters, received in less than 12 months.
"Saturday, Sept. 19, 1835.I have been to the Post Office with my last letter to the Duke and leave the result thereof with the Lord, 'Whose ways are in the deep waters and whose footsteps are unknown'. I have acknowledged myself thankful for the strength still imparted—thus fulfilling that gracious promise made to me when on my knees before I came to this place 'I will never leave thee nor forsake thee.' I have just risen from my knees, after spreading the Duke's letters before the Lord, beseeching Him to do under present circumstances whatever seemeth good in His sight for Christ's sake. And I feel, as a prayer-hearing God He will—causing even this unkindness to work together for good, since 'His ways are not our ways' but as high above such as the heavens are above the earth—That He moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform, who can doubt that watches His divine finger in this great work? And since His purposes must stand, all I have to say is, Let them be whatever they may, I desire His Holy Will alone to be done!
"My feelings will not allow me to copy this letter of the Duke's; it is so unkind; but as those words were powerfully applied at the commencement of my correspondence, 'The haughtiness of man shall be brought low etc. and the Lord alone shall be exalted in that day.'"
Apparently it was not the will of "The Lord" that the letters should be returned, for Providence interposed in the shape of Miss J.'s friend, Mrs. L. Miss J. writes:—
"Saturday Night.Just as my day had been filled with all the duties my God had graciously permitted and I was about to take a walk, dear Mrs. L. arrived, and on my telling her all strongly advised mynotreturning the Duke his letters—which struck me forcibly, as I had asked the Lord to put it into her heart to advise me agreeably to His will."On my return home I found a note from the Duke addressed to me in the third person, like the last, but thanking me for the trouble I had taken respecting his Men's Book Bill. Thank God my feelings are so subdued as to be resigned to His divine Will concerning seeing or hearing from him, and I heartily pray to be directed in every single particular, knowing if left to myself I cannot stand a moment in safety."The Duke seems more indifferent respecting the return of his letters—consequently as dearest Mrs. L. so strongly advised my retaining them I mean to do so without noticing that formal note received to night, leaving everything as it stands in the Lord's Hands. Having cast my burthen upon the Lord all I now have to do is to dedicate my time more exclusively to my usual daily duties as before intended, endeavoring to recall perfectly to memory all my hymns—360—and the Gospels of St. Matthew and John, with my beautiful Psalms—which latter have been neglected more than either of the former, although none have been allowed so much time as if I had not been so occupied with the Duke."Sept. 22nd.My disinclination to write to the Duke continues. O may the Lord bless him by quickening his dead soul and call him forth to glorify Him mightily for Christ's sake!"Oct. 1st, 1835.How wonderful are the dealings of God. Last night I came home fully determined to write and send off a letter to the Duke and this morning, although it is ready for the Post Office, I am restrained from forwarding it. Therefore I keep it until I see why my mind is acted upon thus, feeling 'it is the Lord.' I knelt upon the bed in the night and implored Him to let His honor and glory alone be considered, and before I rose this morning, on again calling upon Him to direct me these words seemed to follow—'Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted in the heavens, I will be exalted in the earth.' So, as this is the case, it is my duty quietly and patiently to submit to the way He may condescendingly choose for that glorious purpose. In the mean time, in order to satisfy my feelings towards the poor dear Duke I can indulge in writing them at all events and thereby proving it is no want of feeling or friendship for him that keeps me silent, but the consideration due to ONE as far above Himself not onlyin realitybut I trust through the Grace of God inmyestimation also as the heavens are above the earth. Nor would I resign one of His gracious glorious smiles to become the Empress of a million worlds, even were my loved precious Duke the chosen individual to participate in such honors."Perhaps the Duke's conversion is at hand! Lord, if this be the case permit me through Thy Power and Grace to become the source of deep spiritual consolation to his precious soul, by being unto me a mouth and wisdom which all my adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist 'for without Thee I can do nothing!'"
"Saturday Night.Just as my day had been filled with all the duties my God had graciously permitted and I was about to take a walk, dear Mrs. L. arrived, and on my telling her all strongly advised mynotreturning the Duke his letters—which struck me forcibly, as I had asked the Lord to put it into her heart to advise me agreeably to His will.
"On my return home I found a note from the Duke addressed to me in the third person, like the last, but thanking me for the trouble I had taken respecting his Men's Book Bill. Thank God my feelings are so subdued as to be resigned to His divine Will concerning seeing or hearing from him, and I heartily pray to be directed in every single particular, knowing if left to myself I cannot stand a moment in safety.
"The Duke seems more indifferent respecting the return of his letters—consequently as dearest Mrs. L. so strongly advised my retaining them I mean to do so without noticing that formal note received to night, leaving everything as it stands in the Lord's Hands. Having cast my burthen upon the Lord all I now have to do is to dedicate my time more exclusively to my usual daily duties as before intended, endeavoring to recall perfectly to memory all my hymns—360—and the Gospels of St. Matthew and John, with my beautiful Psalms—which latter have been neglected more than either of the former, although none have been allowed so much time as if I had not been so occupied with the Duke.
"Sept. 22nd.My disinclination to write to the Duke continues. O may the Lord bless him by quickening his dead soul and call him forth to glorify Him mightily for Christ's sake!
"Oct. 1st, 1835.How wonderful are the dealings of God. Last night I came home fully determined to write and send off a letter to the Duke and this morning, although it is ready for the Post Office, I am restrained from forwarding it. Therefore I keep it until I see why my mind is acted upon thus, feeling 'it is the Lord.' I knelt upon the bed in the night and implored Him to let His honor and glory alone be considered, and before I rose this morning, on again calling upon Him to direct me these words seemed to follow—'Be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted in the heavens, I will be exalted in the earth.' So, as this is the case, it is my duty quietly and patiently to submit to the way He may condescendingly choose for that glorious purpose. In the mean time, in order to satisfy my feelings towards the poor dear Duke I can indulge in writing them at all events and thereby proving it is no want of feeling or friendship for him that keeps me silent, but the consideration due to ONE as far above Himself not onlyin realitybut I trust through the Grace of God inmyestimation also as the heavens are above the earth. Nor would I resign one of His gracious glorious smiles to become the Empress of a million worlds, even were my loved precious Duke the chosen individual to participate in such honors.
"Perhaps the Duke's conversion is at hand! Lord, if this be the case permit me through Thy Power and Grace to become the source of deep spiritual consolation to his precious soul, by being unto me a mouth and wisdom which all my adversaries shall not be able to gainsay or resist 'for without Thee I can do nothing!'"
My Lord Duke,—Judging from your silence to my last that all communication between us is about to cease, having written the accompanying Hymn for your acceptance, I take this opportunity of bidding you Farewell! being enabled through God's Grace which is all sufficient! to exclaim inScripturelanguage,"The LordGAVE and The Lord hath taken awayandblessed be the name of The Lord!" That HE brought you to me in thefirstplace I feel convinced and heartily hope that I have omitted no faithful Christian duty towards you consistent with my "high calling in Christ Jesus,"consequentlyshall not have cause to reproach myself of neglect whenthatAWFUL period arrives which MUST bring us once more together, however separated onearthby Hisall wisedecrees, "Whose paths are in the deep waters and Whose footsteps are not known,"—and Who knoweth FARbetterwhat is GOOD for us than we do forourselves. Consequently it is our duty, and doubtless for our future and eventual happiness under any and all circumstances, however trying and painful such may be, to say THY will, O GOD,not mine be done! Trusting that you will not suppose any unkind feelings are experienced towards you by such DUE resignation to the Divine will or conclude that my future silence renders me forgetful of youwhen kneelingbefore Him "Whose eyes are in EVERY placebeholdingthe evil and the good," with Whom the darkness is no darkness at all but the night is as clear as the day, I subscribe myself with much serenity as in His sight Ever My Lord Duke.Your faithful Christian Friend,A. J.
My Lord Duke,—Judging from your silence to my last that all communication between us is about to cease, having written the accompanying Hymn for your acceptance, I take this opportunity of bidding you Farewell! being enabled through God's Grace which is all sufficient! to exclaim inScripturelanguage,"The LordGAVE and The Lord hath taken awayandblessed be the name of The Lord!" That HE brought you to me in thefirstplace I feel convinced and heartily hope that I have omitted no faithful Christian duty towards you consistent with my "high calling in Christ Jesus,"consequentlyshall not have cause to reproach myself of neglect whenthatAWFUL period arrives which MUST bring us once more together, however separated onearthby Hisall wisedecrees, "Whose paths are in the deep waters and Whose footsteps are not known,"—and Who knoweth FARbetterwhat is GOOD for us than we do forourselves. Consequently it is our duty, and doubtless for our future and eventual happiness under any and all circumstances, however trying and painful such may be, to say THY will, O GOD,not mine be done! Trusting that you will not suppose any unkind feelings are experienced towards you by such DUE resignation to the Divine will or conclude that my future silence renders me forgetful of youwhen kneelingbefore Him "Whose eyes are in EVERY placebeholdingthe evil and the good," with Whom the darkness is no darkness at all but the night is as clear as the day, I subscribe myself with much serenity as in His sight Ever My Lord Duke.
Your faithful Christian Friend,
A. J.
The hymn enclosed is entitled—
THE SHORTNESS OF TIME AND FRAILTY OF MAN.AlmightyMakerof my frame!TEACH MEthe number of my days!TEACH MEto know howfrailI amAnd spend the remnant to Thy praise.My days are shorter than a span,A little point my life appears;Howfrailat best isdying man;HOW VAIN are ALLhis hopes and fears!VAIN hisAMBITION, NOISE and SHOW!VAIN are the cares Which rack his mind!He heaps up treasuresMIXED WITH WOEAnd dies, and leaves them all behind!Oh be aNOBLER portion MINE!MY GODI bow before Thy Throne;Earth'sfleetingtreasures I resignAnd fix my hopes onTheeALONE!
THE SHORTNESS OF TIME AND FRAILTY OF MAN.
THE SHORTNESS OF TIME AND FRAILTY OF MAN.
AlmightyMakerof my frame!TEACH MEthe number of my days!TEACH MEto know howfrailI amAnd spend the remnant to Thy praise.
AlmightyMakerof my frame!
TEACH MEthe number of my days!
TEACH MEto know howfrailI am
And spend the remnant to Thy praise.
My days are shorter than a span,A little point my life appears;Howfrailat best isdying man;HOW VAIN are ALLhis hopes and fears!
My days are shorter than a span,
A little point my life appears;
Howfrailat best isdying man;
HOW VAIN are ALLhis hopes and fears!
VAIN hisAMBITION, NOISE and SHOW!VAIN are the cares Which rack his mind!He heaps up treasuresMIXED WITH WOEAnd dies, and leaves them all behind!
VAIN hisAMBITION, NOISE and SHOW!
VAIN are the cares Which rack his mind!
He heaps up treasuresMIXED WITH WOE
And dies, and leaves them all behind!
Oh be aNOBLER portion MINE!MY GODI bow before Thy Throne;Earth'sfleetingtreasures I resignAnd fix my hopes onTheeALONE!
Oh be aNOBLER portion MINE!
MY GODI bow before Thy Throne;
Earth'sfleetingtreasures I resign
And fix my hopes onTheeALONE!