The Letters of the Duke of Wellington to Miss J., 1834-1851 by Wellington

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PREFACE. Miss J. The particulars of Miss J. CHRISTINE TERHUNE HERRICK. BROOKLYN, March 18, 1889. CONTENTS. CHAP. PAGE I. INTRODUCTION 1 II. FIRST INTERVIEWS 10 III. THE FIRST DISCORD 21 IV. SMOOTH WATERS 39 V. FRESH DIFFICULTIES 55 VI. COMPARATIVE CALM 79 VII. ASPIRATIONS AND REBUFFS 98 VIII. A PEACEFUL PERIOD 120 IX. MISUNDERSTANDINGS 149 X. A BREATHING SPACE 166 XI. THE FINAL RUPTURE 183 XII. CONCLUSION 210 APPENDIX 221 THE LETTERS OF WELLINGTON. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. The facts with regard to Miss J. At the time Miss J. Miss J. 's father died while she was little more than a child, and not long after the mother followed. He had been convicted of murder, and was to be executed shortly. Here was Miss J. 's opportunity. The result of Miss J. As it was, she now felt she had been especially called of God to do a great work. Looking around her for an object, her attention was drawn to the Duke of Wellington. Amen." FIRST INTERVIEWS. Miss J. She writes a minute account of this occurrence:-- "After earnest prayer the Bible was taken by me, with a fluttering, agitated feeling, to the Duke's gates and delivered into the porter's hands, after asking him if the Duke were at home. He replied, 'Yes, ma'am.' I then asked, 'Is he engaged?' He respectfully said, 'I do, ma'am.' She was then with her friend Mrs. L. in lodgings in London, and here the Duke presented himself. The interview was most curious, and is fully described in Miss J. 's Diary. She writes:-- "I was about to enter further into a copy of the list of the Duke's letters, in the book with the lock and key, without comment on the past; but I am not permitted to do so, considering the Lord is too jealous for his holy name to suffer me to be exposed to censure which a full knowledge of circumstances would explain and prevent. He received my hand graciously and respectfully,--but spoke not a word. This was his first utterance!... He styles the Duke:-- "A man of great energy, decision, and authority. The Duke is a very _hard_ man; he takes no notice of any of his family, he never sees his mother, has only visited her two or three times in the last few years, and has not now been to see Lady Anne, though she has been in such affliction for the death of her only son, and he passes her door every time he goes to Strathfieldsaye.... At his request she promised to write to him. This she afterwards found "the Lord of Lords" would not permit. A letter from the Duke dated December 5 inquires the reason of this silence, and proposes calling again. twice over successively. He left me hastily, saying he purposed returning in a short time. On hearing this his eyes dropped, but he said nothing. THE FIRST DISCORD. He promised, however, to attend Miss J. upon his return at the end of a week. She writes an account of her meditations upon this subject in her Diary, and follows it with a copy of the letter she wrote to the Duke:-- "It is now this day a fortnight since the Duke paid me the visit attended by the circumstances described, which not only occasioned suffering immediately after his departure of no common nature, but daily brought with it an increasing unwillingness to submit to another interview. I do not consider it right personally to place myself so fully and confidentially in the power of one, who, however honorable and noble, occasionally seems to forget he is confided in by a Being who _feels_ herself entitled even in the sight of God, not only to the appellation of virtuous, in the strictest acceptation of the word,--but RIGHTEOUS. A. J. LONDON, Jan. 10, 1835. you would ask. But it is doubtlessly permitted for some end which poor blind mortals cannot penetrate, therefore let me not murmur, but bless God who has thought me worthy whilst so _un_worthy to rank among that blessed number described by the angel to Saint John as having 'come out of much tribulation and washed their robes and made them white in the Blood of The Lamb.' Oh! Oh! LONDON, Jan. 13, 1835. It is evident that to her mind, the Duke had been trifling with her. She writes:-- "I in my turn was permitted to love the Duke, but the honor and glory of God were ever my consideration. True, his epistles are lacking in open protestations of devotion. Miss J. herself remarks that the Duke's letters were always cautiously written. As he himself writes to her,-- "I should not treat you as I should wish to be treated myself. If this, however, was her plan, it met with a signal failure. SMOOTH WATERS. LONDON, June 2, 1835. LONDON, June 15, 1835. I was confined to my Home by Indisposition for some days; and I was much occupied. I am going out of town to-morrow. If you should go before I shall see you again I hope that you will let me know where. LONDON, June 22nd, 1835. We may differ in opinion and I may be in Error. I might have done so erroneously. I might have been misled by circumstances. But I could not willingly hurt the feelings of any body. You must not be so susceptible. I have received your two Letters My Dear Miss J., and according to your desire I write immediately. However, there is an end of this matter. 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. So He will. "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. I am much obliged to you for both. I am very glad that you corrected your first Impressions respecting your Preacher. It cannot be otherwise. I find that I am again taking your part, instead of my own. I do so in my own satisfaction. I came down to the house of Lords directly after the Post arrived and I am writing to you from thence.' Ask him in what regiment he served.'" LONDON, August 7, 1835. for it was my desire that the Duke should become a Paul in his generation, sitting at his feet accordingly. A visit takes time, to write a letter is an affair of a few minutes. I cannot afterwards. But that is your own affair. If you should do so I can wait with Patience.' It is possibly too heavy for the 2nd Post.' "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 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. A few passages taken from Miss J. and, 'Has HE not a right to do what HE will with His own?' Upon this was founded the quarrel. No letter has arrived from the Duke. I don't always seal my own Letters; they are sometimes sealed by a Secretary, oftener by myself. But it is very extraordinary if it is so, as I don't believe I have such a thing! I am very glad to learn that you intend to send back all the letters I ever wrote to you. STRATHFIELDSAYE, Sept. 18, 1835. 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. Apparently it was not the will of "The Lord" that the letters should be returned, for Providence interposed in the shape of Miss J. "_Sept. "_Oct. Your faithful Christian Friend, A. J. "I have underlined all just as forwarded to the Duke." 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. From the perusal of Miss J. In Miss J. The reply is decidedly testy. He received only this morning Miss J. 's Letters of the 28^th and 31^st October. The Duke returns his thanks to Miss J. for her kind Enquiries about His Health. The Duke is much concerned that Miss J. is not satisfied with the formal style of His Notes. 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. 's power to receive the Duke.' The Duke encloses the succeeding one." 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.' He has only this day received her Letter commenced on Saturday and finished on Monday. The Duke is much obliged to Miss J. for her Letter. It is quite impossible for the Duke to keep Miss J. 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. 's ruffled feelings, for she makes no further reference at this time to the "Dissension." "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. "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. 's health.' "'Feb. "The Duke's next letter likewise acknowledges--'His thanks for her letter of the 20th and its Enclosures.' The Duke is happy to learn that Miss J. is in good Health. and enclosures. COMPARATIVE CALM. B.' "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. "By that of the 8th of Aug. If not, I laid it by in one of my writing cases and in the uncertainty I think it best to write again. "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.' One ceases to wonder at the slowness of the poor man's recovery, under such circumstances as these. "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.' J.' 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. "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.'" She is quite mistaken. He never had one. The Duke is not aware that he has been guilty of _presumption_, of _daring presumption_. Miss J. wrote to him a letter in which she expressed displeasure at his having omitted to call upon Her as she expected he would. The Duke is exceedingly concerned that Miss J. should consider that she has reason to complain of Him. The matter was apparently smoothed over, as there is no cessation of letters. LONDON, April 27, 1837. 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_]. LONDON, May 1, 1837. He returns many thanks for Her Note. Some coolness followed this letter. Miss J., as usual, re-opened the correspondence. He returns His thanks for her Letter of the 13^th. The Duke is going out of town; and he intends to go to Walmer Castle in a few days. LONDON, August 16, 1837. He returns His thanks for Her letter of the 15^th. The Duke is much concerned that Miss J. should have had the trouble of writing a second time upon the subject of misrepresentation in the Newspapers. They are really not deserving of Notice. received this morning, with a Hymn for which he is very grateful. He received the Parcel containing Tracts etc, some time ago.' "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. ASPIRATIONS AND REBUFFS. It is Her Majesty's Jointure House. ii. 28, 29; Luke xvi. 3; 2 Cor. iii. 12; 1 John v. 3, 4; and James iv. 4. J.). I was certain that I should convince you upon the Subject. There is no post from home today and you will not receive this acknowledgment of its receipt and thanks for it until Monday.' "A. J. "The Duke's next letter is dated Sept. 16th in which he writes; 'There is no post from the country on Saturday as there is no Delivery in London on Sunday, so you will receive both letters therefore tomorrow, possibly at the same time.' That which I now have answers perfectly, and I will not deprive you of another. Ever Yours most faithfully WELLINGTON. "The Duke's next letter is dated Oct. 7th. 'I have four letters of yours to acknowledge the receipt of, for which I return many thanks. But I confess that I cannot understand as you do, the High Authorities which you quote. I am delighted to find that you are so well. "The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 3rd, referring to impressions on my mind which Time has declared to be erroneous with regard to the end God had in view, but as His glory was then as now my chief consideration I trust to behold this precious portion of Holy Writ verified therein. I am and have been quite well, thank God. Ever yours most faithfully, WELLINGTON. "The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 14th 1839 in which he writes--'I return a letter which I opened thinking it was addressed to me but I now find it was intended for another, as I find the Name in a Note to myself.' "The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 18th in which he writes--'I beg you not to make yourself uneasy about the missing letter.' This was a letter which miscarried and lost. "The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 24th, 1839, judging by which I presume some mistake had been made in a former epistle as he writes therein--'I receive so many letters and have so many directions to attend to; that you must not be surprised if I sometimes make a mistake.' "The Duke's next letter is directed Dec. 28th in which he writes--'I have received your Note of the 26th. "The Duke's next letter is dated Jan. 30th, 1840, by the contents of which I presume that I had expressed a wish concerning my letters being confined to his perusal as he writes: 'You may rely upon what I tell you. Nobody sees your letters. LONDON, February 3, 1840. In the Morning. I always write as you Desire. LONDON, Feb. 5, 1840. Ever Yours Most faithfully. WELLINGTON. "The Duke's next letter is dated Feb. 20th 1840 wherein he writes--'I have only this day received your letter dated Saturday afternoon. I was indisposed last week. now received. I thank you for mentioning my health. I was unwell about three weeks ago but, thank God! LONDON, March 6, 1840. I received last night on my return to London your Letter of the 4^th and I acknowledge the receipt thereof this morning. "The Duke's next letter dated March 9th wherein he writes: 'I am really much concerned that you should suppose that my last note to you was what you call Cross. LONDON, March 13, 1840. The Duke is unfortunately for him not sufficiently informed to enable Him to write upon some of the Higher and more sacred Topicks of Miss J. 's Letters. LONDON, March 14th, 1840. He has just received Her Note of Friday evening the 13^th Ins^t. The Duke is very sensible of Miss J. 's offer of Service in case the Duke should be sick or afflicted. The Duke is much obliged to Her. He is quite well. Indorsed in Miss J. 's hand. 1 Kings XX. 11. I tremble for you." "The Duke's next letter is dated March 30th expressive of his thanks. "The Duke's next letter is dated April 3rd in which he writes 'The Duke assures Miss J. that neither the form, manner nor substance nor even a Word in any letter of hers has offended him.' "The Duke's next letter is dated April 10th in which he writes 'He understands that Miss J. wishes him to enclose to Mrs. L. the answers addressed to Herself although that is not stated as usual.' "The Duke's next letter is dated April 18th in which he writes 'The Duke has never been better than for the last month and most particularly for the last few days. The cause of this coolness between the Duke and Miss J. is not clear. STRATHFIELDSAYE, April 24, 1840. He has received her letter of the 21^st Ins^t for which he returns His thanks being convinced that Her Letters to the Duke are dictated by the best Motives. LONDON, May 20, 1840. The Duke received all her Letters in due Course. The Duke is thank God! Indorsed by Miss J. "There is _no_ wisdom nor understanding, nor counsel against THE LORD." LONDON, June 30, 1840. He has received several Letters from Her. LONDON, July 29, 1840. that I am and have been quite well for this last week. I am very much flattered by the anxiety which you express for my recovery. LONDON, August 3, 1840. The Duke is quite well. Lam. iii. 37. Indorsed by Miss J. Miss J. writes in her Diary at this period: "Whether the Duke would write again or not, I told him in my reply, must depend upon God rather than himself, adding that I never wished to hear from him till God pleased, and defied him accordingly,--trusting in 'The Lord of Lords.'" A PEACEFUL PERIOD. June 10, 1844. LONDON, June 14, 1844. At night. LONDON, June 18, 1844. LONDON, June 21, 1844. I have to thank you for two letters received, the last on this morning. LONDON, July 6, 1844. LONDON, July 15, 1844. LONDON, July 27, 1844. as well as ever. I thank you for the beautiful lines which you have sent me.'" LONDON, August 10, 1844. I have received and thank you for your letters, the last received having been commenced on the 4^th and ended on thursday morning the 8^th. I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me; notwithstanding that you had not heard from me. "The Duke's next letter is dated Aug. 16th 'I am very sorry indeed to learn that any of your letters have been returned from the House to the Post Office opened and sent back to you. Morning. Ever Yours most faithfully, WELLINGTON. Miss J. writes in her Diary for this date: "The Duke told me that a _boy_ from his _own_ door called after him, attracting others accordingly all the way. It is made upon one of his own Cards, cut in _half_. On this is engraved 'Field M. The Duke of ----.' Here they are crying out for me in the levee Robes. Ever Yours most faithfully, WELLINGTON. The infant prince here referred to was Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh. Morning. I shall be back in a few days. "The Duke's next letter is from Walmer, dated Sept. 11th, wherein he writes, after thanking me for my letter; 'I am as usual very much employed but I thank God, quite well.' I have received two letters from you the last commenced on Wednesday evening and finished, on Friday morning or rather later in the day on Friday after you had taken a Lodging No. on Monday morning. I am very certain that I have received all your Letters, and I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me; particularly one on five sheets of paper commenced on the 7^th of Octo^r. "The Duke's next letter is dated Oct. 19th, in which he writes; 'This Note cannot be sent from hence this day, there being no post. "'P.S. "'Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully, "'WELLINGTON.' "The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 10th 1844 wherein he writes--'You always express in your letters the same interest for my welfare which has always drawn from me the expressions of my grateful sense of your kindness.' "The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 19th, in which he writes--'I intend to go to see you as soon as I shall have a moment's leisure. "The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 20th, wherein he writes--'I write you one line to tell you that if it should be in my power I will call upon you this day after three o'clock.' "The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 3rd, wherein he writes--'I was so much occupied with public business that I could not call upon you again. "The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 14th wherein he writes--'I returned to London last night having been detained at Windsor Castle till late in the afternoon and I went there on Thursday and received your Note dated the 13th, for which I am much obliged.' "The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 20th wherein he writes--'I am very sorry, but my time is so much occupied, and while the Almighty will deign to permit me to live will be so occupied as that I shall not have leisure to pay visits. "'I am, thank God! She is Happy.' I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me as you have; I hope that I feel as I ought upon the occasion of the recent described affliction which I have suffered.' I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me.' But that is impossible. I have really more to do than I can find time for, notwithstanding my constant attention and diligence.' We lost him, Alas! LONDON, April 18th, 1845. as well as I ever was. The truth is this. _He is quite well_, not, _He is convalescent_. Ever Yours most faithfully, WELLINGTON. "The Duke's next letter is dated May 8th wherein he writes; 'I have received and thank you for all your letters; the truth is that it takes me a long time to peruse them and I am obliged to do so by daylight, which I have not at command of sufficient duration to finish the whole that I have to read at one time.' We are now at the 5th of June. "The Duke's next letter is dated June 7th, wherein he writes--'Besides being very good, you must admit that patience under disappointment is required from us all. That is all I ask from you.' notwithstanding the constant fatigue which I endure.' since I wrote last, for which I return my best thanks. But it is the fact, that at a period of life at which other Men are seeking Repose, every moment of my time should be as it is, occupied by National duties which require my constant attendance and all my attention, and render me unfit for social duties and incapable of performing them.' I really have not leisure time for visits, scarcely to write. "The Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 29th, conveys an impression that I had felt hurt at something written, as he writes 'I did not think it possible that I should ever write one word that could hurt your feelings and I sincerely beg your pardon.' CHAPTER IX. MISUNDERSTANDINGS. He ate no lunch, and dined at seven. His correspondence was enormous, owing to his practice of answering all his letters himself. As a rule, however, a courteous letter was apt to receive a courteous reply. The narrowness of Miss J. STRATHFIELDSAYE, April 17, 1846. I have received all your letters, but have not written answers to them; or to thank you for them; because I really have not had Time. But this is mere Conjecture. Ever, My Dear Miss J. Yours most faithfully, WELLINGTON. But it was not to be! LONDON, July 13, 1846. the second son, an infant has recovered. Ever Yours Most faithfully, WELLINGTON. "The Duke's next letter, dated July 23rd, 1846, is expressive of concern at my having caught cold, adding; 'I am very sorry still to be unable to fix a time at which I can go to see you.' Sept. 1st, 1846. I did so. I was sorry for it. You might have seen that in the last week I was occupied at a distance from London during five days out of the seven and that in that space of time I have travelled and rode little short of 800 miles. Indorsed by Miss J. Miss J. and her friend Mrs. L. had engaged a cottage, and were about to move into it. Miss J. wrote to her guardian, desiring him to advance her funds for the furniture of her new abode. The whole affair is so absurd, as sketched in Miss J. WELLINGTON. Miss J., as usual, could not let matters rest, but prepared for another attack. Miss J. writes:-- "I have to thank my good and gracious God for his indulgent kindness in sending me not only a letter from my Guardian with Enclosures, but also one from the Duke, apologizing fully." I am very much concerned to find by a letter which I received this Morning from Miss J., that I was so unfortunate as to have read incorrectly or to have misunderstood Her letter! Miss J. 's Most faithful Humble Servant WELLINGTON. P.S. Oct. 3rd, 1846. P.S. Apparently the Duke did not feel the need of any spiritual consolation from Miss J., for she did not hear from him again for two months. CHAPTER X. A BREATHING SPACE. LONDON, Feb. 22, 1847. LONDON, May 6, 1847. I thank you! "The Duke's next letter is dated May 11th, in which he writes--'I am very much obliged to you for your letter of the 9th. I answered the last which you wrote to me on the day I received it.' LONDON, May 14, 1847. I will not be guilty of the unpardonable act of writing a letter to a Lady or Gentleman addressed to another; without showing that I have Authority for so doing! LONDON, May 19th, 1847. and I answer them when in my power. I am very sensible of and grateful for the interest that you feel and express in my welfare.' "The Duke's next letter is dated Sept. 9th wherein he writes; 'I am very much concerned to learn that you are again indisposed, but as you tell me that the Medical gentleman who attends you thought well of you I hope that this relapse is only accidental.' There is nothing like Rest for ailing remedies, and the bounty of Providence in a recovery from sickness.' Miss J. herself remarks upon the fact that during the entire year she received but three letters from the Duke. LONDON, July 30, 1848. I was and am sorry to learn that you are unwell. P.S. LONDON, Feb. 2, 1849. Ever Yours Most Faithfully WELLINGTON. LONDON, Feb. 20, 1849, Morning. I am very sorry; but my Time is so much occupied; and while the Almighty will Deign to permit me to live, will be so occupied; as that I shall not have leisure to pay visits. I received a second note from you last night dated yesterday afternoon, and I am delighted to learn that your Eyes are better. I wish to thank you for these Letters. I will not deceive you. LONDON, July 31, 1849. Whether you are to derive benefit from the air or Bathing; it will be more beneficial during fine weather than after or even during the Storm of the Equinox. I thank you for the beautiful Lines which you have sent me. But it is late, and I am afraid it may not. Ever yours most faithfully WELLINGTON. But they will reach me at last. Miss J. "The Duke's next letter is evidently an angry one. This note did not call forth a reply of equal amiability from the Duke. I beg that you will not do so. To read one letter from you is as much as I can do. Ever Yours most faithfully WELLINGTON. THE FINAL RUPTURE. A tumor soon developed, that caused her great suffering. She wrote an account of the occurrence to the Duke, and received the following reply, quoted from the Diary:-- "'I was much concerned on receiving this intelligence, but I hope that the consequences will not be so serious as I had apprehended. STRATHFIELDSAYE, April 3, 1850. I am very much concerned that the regulations which I have been under the necessity of making and enforcing in respect to the Reception of Parcels at my House should have been inconvenient to you or your sister. You find that I am frequently out of town. I am very sorry for any thing that can annoy you! Ever Yours most faithfully WELLINGTON. LONDON, April 5, 1850. Ever yours most faithfully WELLINGTON. LONDON, June 5, 1850. I had answered every letter I had received. I am very glad to learn that you had set aside this Intention. Ever Yours most faithfully. WELLINGTON. "'I answer invariably, as I do this night at midnight, as soon as I receive your letter if due. LONDON, July 4, 1850. I am very sorry to hear that you are likely to lose the society of your Sister.' The final quarrel was now approaching. The account of it is best given in Miss J. 's own words, omitting, as heretofore, a large proportion of the Biblical quotations. "July 11, 1850. J." WELLINGTON. notwithstanding my Studies. Ever Yours most faithfully, WELLINGTON. Ever Yours most faithfully WELLINGTON. Miss J. writes:-- "In my reply to the Duke I assured him that I had no Banker in London to my knowledge, never having had to do more than occasionally receive my _Dividends_, when my Guardian transacted business, which generally speaking he forwarded by letter. "Of course I lost no time in sending the letters promised and required, but they miscarried." This to me is quite incomprehensible, as you in the same letter imply it is your intention that I shall have all that is necessary. LONDON, July 25, 1850. LONDON, July 26, 1850. Yours most faithfully, WELLINGTON. At the same time these came to hand, the Duke received Miss J. LONDON, July 30, 1850. Miss J. writes,-- "To describe how I recoiled from this letter received from His Grace would be impossible. My feeling was both on his account and my own. July 30, 1850. 's silence would not be of long duration. Miss J. held her peace for three weeks. Then, seeing by the "Times" that the Right Hon. Nothing daunted, Miss J. only waited for an excuse to write again. 's Note of the 10^th Ins^t. He returns his thanks to Miss J. for noticing the accident! He is very sensible of her kindness in writing to him. In Miss J. F. M. the Duke of Wellington presents His comp^ts to Miss J.! Miss J. "'P.S. As Miss J. received no reply to the above, she wrote again. He understood from a former letter; that it was Miss J. WELLINGTON. CONCLUSION. She wrote again and again, and yet again. 's letter! His answer came promptly, although Miss J. did not find it at all satisfactory. LONDON, Feb. 8, 1851. I have received Miss J. 's Letter! Her Humble Servant. WELLINGTON. Miss J. My Lord Duke! LONDON, Feb. 12, 1851. I beg Miss J. Her Most faithful Servant WELLINGTON. LONDON, Feb. 20, 1851. F. M. the Duke of Wellington presents His Comp^ts to Miss J.! Whether you received it I know not, therefore acquaint you that such was the case. I received in due course Miss J. At Night. I have this night received Miss. J. I know well that Miss J. Ever Miss J. 's most faithfully obedient Humble Servant, WELLINGTON. The above is the Duke's last letter to Miss J. Miss J. 's efforts did not cease, however. She sent letter after letter to the Duke, without being discouraged by his utter silence. this satisfaction was not afforded me. The remainder of Miss J. 's life was of little interest. A list of the Duke's letters is appended, copied from Miss J. 's Diary. NOTE 1, page 105. She said, "Yes; and the sermon was very hot too." NOTE 2, page 112. NOTE 3, page 126. Henry Manvers-Pierrepont. NOTE 4, page 129. NOTE 5, page 134. NOTE 6, page 136. This sister, Anne, married first the Hon. Middlesex.--BURKE, _Peerage_. NOTE 8, page 139. NOTE 9, page 141. This was the brother next older than the Duke of Wellington,--William, Lord Maryborough. NOTE 10, page 154. NOTE 11, page 167. NOTE 12, page 205. He is a great and irreparable loss to the Duke of Wellington, who is now left alone in the world. The Duke told him and talked to him about everything. iii. NOTE 13, page 207. The whole story was a hoax. THE END.