Chapter 3

"I have underlined all just as forwarded to the Duke."

The next letter from the Duke that has been preserved is dated October 5, and contains a reference to a later note from Miss J.:—

Walmer Castle, October 5, 1835.The Duke of Wellington presents his Comptsto Miss J. He has only this morning received her letter without date; in which Miss J. apprizes the Duke that she is about to quit Hampstead; but she does not state where she is about to reside.In respect to Miss J.'s wish that the Duke should write to Her, the Duke assures her that he will receive Her Letters with pleasure; and that he will answer them regularly. But that he must be permitted to do so, in a form, which shall not expose him to the accusation of treating a Lady with disrespect.From the perusal of Miss J.'s Letter the Duke does not exactly understand whether Miss J. did or did not send back the Paquet containing the Duke's Letters to her. As the Duke stated upon a former occasion, it is a matter of Indifference whether Miss J. has burnt the Letters; or kept them; or sent them back.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.

Walmer Castle, October 5, 1835.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comptsto Miss J. He has only this morning received her letter without date; in which Miss J. apprizes the Duke that she is about to quit Hampstead; but she does not state where she is about to reside.

In respect to Miss J.'s wish that the Duke should write to Her, the Duke assures her that he will receive Her Letters with pleasure; and that he will answer them regularly. But that he must be permitted to do so, in a form, which shall not expose him to the accusation of treating a Lady with disrespect.

From the perusal of Miss J.'s Letter the Duke does not exactly understand whether Miss J. did or did not send back the Paquet containing the Duke's Letters to her. As the Duke stated upon a former occasion, it is a matter of Indifference whether Miss J. has burnt the Letters; or kept them; or sent them back.

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, Novr3, 1835.The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J.He received only this morning Miss J.'s Letters of the 28thand 31stOctober.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.

Walmer Castle, Novr3, 1835.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J.

He received only this morning Miss J.'s Letters of the 28thand 31stOctober.

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."

"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 insilence, to which I decline subjecting myself. I consider a reply and a very different one to thoselatelyreceived due to me in the sight ofThat GodWhocreatedsuch 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 HisAlmightypowerin some unforeseen manner.The information that you have destroyed my letters isany thingbut gratifying; one and all being more or less marked withDivineTruth, calculated if properly andseriouslyconsidered, to benefit yourimmortal Soul. Nor should I imagine myselfjustifiedin spending my time infutureby 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 underHis directionand inHisService....I remain, My Lord Duke, so long as God permits.Your faithful Christian Friend.A. J.

The information that you have destroyed my letters isany thingbut gratifying; one and all being more or less marked withDivineTruth, calculated if properly andseriouslyconsidered, to benefit yourimmortal Soul. Nor should I imagine myselfjustifiedin spending my time infutureby 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 underHis directionand inHisService....

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."

"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, Decr15, 1835.The Duke of Wellington presents his Comptsto 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.

Strathfieldsaye, Decr15, 1835.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comptsto 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.'"

"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."

"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 Compsto 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.

London, June 28, 1836.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Compsto 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."

"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.'"

"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.'"

"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 faithfullyWellington.

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 wasthuswritten."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 19ththe 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 partdueto 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.'"

"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 19ththe 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 partdueto 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 ofpresumption, ofdaring 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 ofdaring 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.

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 ofpresumption, ofdaring 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 ofdaring 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 Comptsto 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.

London, April 27, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comptsto 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 Comptsto Miss J. He returns many thanks for Her Note. The Duke will make enquiries respecting that of the 22ndaddressed 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.

London, May 1, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Comptsto Miss J. He returns many thanks for Her Note. The Duke will make enquiries respecting that of the 22ndaddressed 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 Comptsto Miss J. He returns His thanks for her Letter of the 13th.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 14, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Comptsto Miss J. He returns His thanks for her Letter of the 13th.

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 Comptsto Miss J. He returns His thanks for Her letter of the 15th.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.

London, August 16, 1837.

The Duke of Wellington presents his Comptsto Miss J. He returns His thanks for Her letter of the 15th.

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, whichblessedstate 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 periodmayarrive when the accompanying Hymn will beexperimentallyunderstood,consequentlyadmired and valued, being one of the most beautiful to be found."'Miss J. is not in the habit at present of seeinganyNewspaper, 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 arepetitionof what she has so frequently written, namely; "What is a man profited if he shall gainthe whole worldand LOSE his own SOUL? or what shall a man give inexchange forhisSOUL?" 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 beenpracticallyattended to. Yes, thereisa period, and anawfulone which must induce thetrembling soulthat has been swelled up by earthly splendor and earthly adulation, (bothequally emptyandunsatisfying) 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, howevergroundlessat 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 anyseriousafflictions 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 beinggenerallyknown 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 HEcando at any moment, and to any extent, andwillif 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."

"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, whichblessedstate 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 periodmayarrive when the accompanying Hymn will beexperimentallyunderstood,consequentlyadmired and valued, being one of the most beautiful to be found.

"'Miss J. is not in the habit at present of seeinganyNewspaper, 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 arepetitionof what she has so frequently written, namely; "What is a man profited if he shall gainthe whole worldand LOSE his own SOUL? or what shall a man give inexchange forhisSOUL?" 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 beenpracticallyattended to. Yes, thereisa period, and anawfulone which must induce thetrembling soulthat has been swelled up by earthly splendor and earthly adulation, (bothequally emptyandunsatisfying) 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, howevergroundlessat 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 anyseriousafflictions 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 beinggenerallyknown 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 HEcando at any moment, and to any extent, andwillif 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 Majestyat lengthon 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 andloyaltyof His Grace that had the respected Consort of his beloved though deceased King [William IV.] onlyhinteda 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.'"

"'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 Majestyat lengthon 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 andloyaltyof His Grace that had the respected Consort of his beloved though deceased King [William IV.] onlyhinteda 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.

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 faithfullyWellington.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 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 22nd.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 YoursMost faithfullyWellington.

Walmer Castle, August 27, 1838.

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

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.

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