The Letters of the Duke of Wellington to Miss J. 1834-1851 Part 27

Humble Servant,

WELLINGTON.

The above is the Duke's last letter to Miss J. Although he lived until September of the following year, he never wrote to her again. Miss J.'s efforts did not cease, however. She sent letter after letter to the Duke, without being discouraged by his utter silence. Indeed, a note directed to him was lying on her table ready to be sent to the post the morning that she received the news of his death. She gives an account of her reception of the tidings:--

"_November 28th, 1852._ I dare not trust my pen to refer to the unantic.i.p.ated dreaded end which has caused me so much deep sorrow although nearly three long months have rolled over my head since that awful blow was given and which, had it not been for divine support would I fear have deprived me of my reason, for it was so unexpected that when my Physician called to acquaint me thereof, I said, pointing to a letter on the table: 'That is for the Duke,'

intending to ask him to put it into a Post Office, being sealed and ready.

"On perceiving my doctor silent, instead of offering with his usual kindness to post the letter, I enquired wherefore? he replied that he thought it had better be postponed. This made me still more anxious, eagerly asking, if he were ill? when Dr. P. said he had not been well, and thus by degrees unfolded the awful truth that he was indeed No more.

"O I can never forget my feelings! continuing after his departure as if riveted to my seat and speechless."

Miss J. then laments that the Duke had never given any marked proof of his conversion, and recapitulates her efforts to lead him into the way of righteousness. She dwells upon the longing she had felt to be a.s.sured that he had known a "new birth," but adds:--

"Alas! this satisfaction was not afforded me. Nevertheless as before expressed, I build my hopes on the last five hours of His Grace's life, however insensible to all around, knowing nothing to be impossible with G.o.d, consequently that even at this the eleventh hour his precious soul may through a Saviour's righteousness have been permitted to wing its flight to Mansions of eternal glory."

The remainder of Miss J.'s life was of little interest. She became more bigoted as she advanced in years; and although not long after the Duke's death she joined her sister in the United States, her peculiarities had developed so unpleasantly that the two could not live peacefully in the same house. Miss J. resided in New York until her death in 1862.

A list of the Duke's letters is appended, copied from Miss J.'s Diary.

_List of Letters received from the Duke._

In 1834 6 1835 78 1836 56 1837 25 1838 (one being double) 23 1839 8 1840 25 1844 (and Picture) 55 1845 32 1846 18 1847 19 1848 3 1849 10 1850 24 1851 8 --- Total Number 390

APPENDIX.

NOTE 1, page 105.

In a sermon preached at the Chapel Royal, Hook (afterwards Dean of Chichester) told the Queen that the Church would endure, let what would happen to the Throne. On her return to Buckingham House, Normanby, who had been at the chapel, said to her, "Did not your Majesty find it very hot?" She said, "Yes; and the sermon was very hot too."--GREVILLE, _Memoirs_ (1837-1852), vol. i. p. 116.

NOTE 2, page 112.

The Duke of Wellington had an attack the other night in the House of Lords, and was taken home speechless, but not senseless. It was severe, but short; and after the stomach was relieved, he rapidly recovered, and in a day or two _p.r.o.nounced_ himself as well as ever. Of course the alarm was very great.--GREVILLE, _Memoirs_ (1837-1852), vol. i. p. 267.

NOTE 3, page 126.

Charles, the second son of the Duke of Wellington, married, July 9, 1844, Augusta Sophia-Anne, daughter of the Right Hon. Henry Manvers-Pierrepont. The marriage took place at St. George's Church, Hanover Square, and was followed by a grand wedding-breakfast, given at Apsley House by the Duke of Wellington.

NOTE 4, page 129.

Prince William of Prussia, afterwards the great Kaiser Wilhelm, arrived in England from Ostend, Aug. 13, 1844. Among the many honors paid him were entertainments given him at Apsley House and at Strathfieldsaye by the Duke of Wellington. The Prince was an honored guest at the christening of the Queen's fourth child, Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh, who was born Aug. 6, 1844. Prince William left England on Sat.u.r.day, September 7.

NOTE 5, page 134.

Louis Philippe and his Queen visited England Oct. 8, 1844. Their stay lasted until October 15. The "Times" of the date, describing the embarkation of the royal party, says:--

"The Duke of Wellington was in the yard on horseback in his regimentals, but wrapped in a brown great-coat (like a sentry's coat), b.u.t.toned to the chin to keep off the rain....

"Even before the arrival of the royal party in the Victualling yard, the rain had already begun to fall heavily; and the circ.u.mstance of a vivid flash of lightning, accompanied by a long roll of thunder, occurring just before their entry, was the cause of some curious observations among the superst.i.tious."

NOTE 6, page 136.

The Duke of Wellington on entering the room was received with the most lively demonstrations of respect. The band at the entrance of the room played the air, "See, the Conquering Hero Comes!" and the appearance of his Grace was the signal for a general clapping of hands, and even some cheering from the gentlemen, and waving of handkerchiefs from the ladies.--_Account of the opening of the Royal Exchange, from the London "Times" of Oct. 29, 1844._

NOTE 7, page 138.

This sister, Anne, married first the Hon. Henry Fitzroy, and secondly Charles Culling-Smith, Esq., of Hampton, Co. Middles.e.x.--BURKE, _Peerage_.

NOTE 8, page 139.

A detailed report of the Queen's progress to Strathfieldsaye is given in the "Times" of Jan. 21, 1845; but the account of her visit there is less full. The "Times" says:--

"The visit to Strathfieldsaye is intended to be of a more private nature than either of those with which her Majesty has lately honored any of her subjects....

"The following characteristic reply from the Duke of Wellington to an application for admission will show that his Grace at least will not allow the royal party to be disturbed:--

"'Field-Marshal the Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to Mr. ----, and begs to say he does not see what his house at Strathfieldsaye has to do with the public Press.'"

NOTE 9, page 141.

This was the brother next older than the Duke of Wellington,--William, Lord Maryborough.

NOTE 10, page 154.

Arthur, the child of Charles (the son of the Duke of Wellington) and of Augusta Sophia-Anne, daughter of the Right Hon. Henry Manvers-Pierrepont, was born May 5, 1845, and died July 7, 1846.

NOTE 11, page 167.

Lord Cowley, the youngest brother of the Duke of Wellington, died April 27, 1847.