The Letters of the Duke of Wellington to Miss J. 1834-1851 Part 20

"In the Duke's next letter, dated Oct. 2nd, he writes--'I hope that you will continue in good health. You will if you keep yourself warm in the severe weather of the Autumn and commencement of the winter--and in tranquillity.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated Oct. 7th he writes--'I have and thank you for your letters of the 2nd & 3rd, the last finished on the 4th, and I am happy that you are in your new dwelling which I hope you will find satisfactory to you, and above all that the Air will be salubrious.'

"Judging by the Duke's next, I think that he must have misunderstood my intentions, as he writes in his letter, dated Oct.

16th; 'I am concerned to learn that you are again about to change the place of your Abode. I should think that these constant changes must fatigue you.'

"In the Duke's next letter, dated Oct. 12th, which I now perceive ought to have been introduced above that of the 16th, he writes--'I am very much pleased that you are not otherwise than comfortable in your new residence.'

"I presume, judging by the Duke's next letter, dated Dec. 18th, that I had referred to my poor Jane's illness, as he writes; 'I am sorry to hear that your favorite companion disturbs your rest as rest is especially necessary after the recovery from any illness.'"

The correspondence had in 1848 dwindled down almost to nothingness, at least on the Duke's side. It is only doing Miss J. justice to believe that her zeal and industry continued unabated. There had apparently been no other dispute. Miss J. herself remarks upon the fact that during the entire year she received but three letters from the Duke.

"It may be seen judging by these letters, that there was not any other cause for the fewness of such but the full occupation of his time alluded to so frequently. Therefore I presume this was permitted by The Great Lord of Lords for unerring purposes known only to Himself.

"The first in this year is dated May 8th, wherein the Duke writes--'It is perfectly true that much time has elapsed since I have written to you and that I have received many letters from you for which I ought to have returned my thanks, but the demands upon and the employment of my time in the service of the Public has been so constant that I really have not had leisure. I hope that you are well and that the weather will re-establish your health entirely, and by enabling you to go out into the Air fortify against future attacks.'"

LONDON, July 30, 1848.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received many Letters and this morning one of yesterday with copies of many others before written! I was and am sorry to learn that you are unwell. Your letters are extremely difficult to read, and my time is and has been much occupied by my Duties!

Believe me Dear Miss J. ever

Yours most faithfully

WELLINGTON.

P.S. I have frequently entreated to write your Address, your place of Abode on each Letter. It is not possible for me to recollect every thing!

"In the next letter from the Duke, dated Dec. 24th, he writes; 'I am really much concerned that my time has been so much occupied lately and I have been so much in movement as that I have not been able to write to you.'"

1849.

LONDON, Feb. 2, 1849.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I am really much concerned that the Newspapers should insert statements of my being sick, of which the Editors can know nothing. I thank G.o.d! I am & have been as well throughout the Winter as I have been in my Life.

Ever Yours Most Faithfully

WELLINGTON.

LONDON, Feb. 20, 1849, Morning.

It is very true My Dear Miss J. that some time has elapsed since I have been able to go to see you, and that I have omitted to write to you. The reason of this last mentioned omission is, that I could not go to see you or fix a time at which I could and as I had not heard from you, I thought it best not to write. I beg you observe likewise that I have been time [_sic_] at Windsor Castle; and also at my own House in Hants since I saw you.

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 have frequently expressed my regrets; that it shd be so; and repeat them now. I received a letter on Sat.u.r.day night last; commenced that morning; and ended in the afternoon. I wrote an answer; and just as I was about to close it and send it off on Monday; I received the Report of the occurrence of a severe Family misfortune; which prevented the execution of my purpose.

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. But I cannot hold out any prospect of being able to go to see you. I will not deceive you.

I am employed every day at this time by Candle Light from six in the Morning till twelve at night! After all! G.o.d Almighty has so framed all His Creatures, that even that n.o.ble, Animal Man!

requires refreshment food & Rest as well as others.

At my Age I feel that I require it: and I asked you not to press me to do that which I cannot do; without neglecting Duties which I have engaged to perform. I will go to see you; notwithstanding that I tell you fairly that nothing can be more disagreeable to me than to be followed by a Mob; as I invariably am; when I go to the part of the Town in which you reside.

But I don't care: I will go to see you when I find that I can do so; and I will give you previous notice as usual.

Ever My Dear Miss J.

Yours most faithfully

WELLINGTON.

In spite of this sudden resumption of cordiality, Miss J. did not hear from the Duke again for over five months. But the letter then is kindly, bearing no trace of the harshness that marked his epistles written a couple of years earlier.

LONDON, July 31, 1849.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have been at Windsor Castle since Monday from whence I have only now returned. I have to acknowledge the receipt of several letters from you written with your usual kindness, of motive as well as of sentiment and expression.

I congratulate you upon your success upon Mrs. L.'s Nephew!

I hope that you may go to the Seaside during the period of the fine season. 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.

It is impossible for me to say at what period Parliament will be prorogued.

I thank you for the beautiful Lines which you have sent me.

One of your Letters was written on Sunday the 28^th, another on Monday the 29^th, and a third on Tuesday the 30^th.

I hope that this may reach you this evening. But it is late, and I am afraid it may not.

Ever yours most faithfully

WELLINGTON.

WALMER CASTLE, Sept. 7th, 1849.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have this day received your letter dated Wednesday; as you did not know the day of the month. I am writing to you on Friday the 7^th You ought to receive this on Sat.u.r.day the 8^th inst.

I had not heard of the Indisposition, still less of the death of your Guardian! But I have been for some time absent from London and it is possible that letters may have been missent. But they will reach me at last.

I sincerely condole with you upon the loss which you have sustained! I hope that this loss will not be an inconvenience to you in the management of your pecuniary affairs.