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

"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. He is aware that reports are continually circulated to the contrary but they are entirely undeserving of credit.'"

The cause of this coolness between the Duke and Miss J. is not clear. Her Diary throws no light upon the subject, and the only clew to the dissension must be found in the Duke's letters. From these it would seem that Miss J. has again criticised his manner of writing, or resented some fancied liberty. The quarrel begun so promisingly in March is still vigorous late in April, and the Duke is making energetic but futile efforts to break off the correspondence.

Strathfieldsaye, April 24, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Compliments to Miss J. He has received her letter of the 21st Inst for which he returns His thanks being convinced that Her Letters to the Duke are dictated by the best Motives.

The Duke cannot but acknowledge however that they are written to but little purpose; and considering their Tone and Tenor, the writing of them can be but little satisfaction to Miss J.; while it must be troublesome; the transmission of them embarrassing; as well as the Reception of the answers to Herself and Her friends.

Under these Circumstances the Duke would earnestly recommend to Miss J. not to write to Him again.

London, May 20, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Compts to Miss J. He is much concerned to learn that His omission to acknowledge the receipt of Miss J. [sic] has occasioned any inconvenience to her. The Duke received all her Letters in due Course.

The Duke did not acknowledge the receipt of them. He really thought and thinks still that Miss J.'s correspondence with the Duke is very inconvenient to Her and Her friends; that it exposes her to the Effects of the Curiosity of the Idle; and to the observations of the Malicious; and that however much he may be obliged to the Kindness of Miss J. in writing to him, he ought to endeavour to prevail upon her to refrain from doing which [sic] may be inconvenient to Herself or to Her friends.

The Duke is thank God! and has been perfectly well, and he sincerely hopes that Miss J. is so likewise.

Indorsed by Miss J. "There is no wisdom nor understanding, nor counsel against The Lord." "My Counsel SHALL stand, and I will perform all My pleasure."

London, June 30, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His Compts to Miss J. He has received several Letters from Her. The last dated the 29th Inst.

He has not thought it necessary to answer these Letters. He writes now only because Miss J. expressed an anxiety to know before she leaves town whether Her letters had been received.

The Duke would recommend to save Herself from such anxiety in future by omitting to write to Him.

London, July 29, 1840.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received your Note of the 28th and I thank God! that I am and have been quite well for this last week.

There was some casual Derangement of my Stomach a week ago; and the Editors of Newspapers immediately discovered that I was in great Danger.

They forget that their Reporters reported that I appeared in the House of Lords quite well.

I am very much flattered by the anxiety which you express for my recovery. I assure you that I am as well as I have been for Years.

Believe me Ever Your most faithful Servant,Wellington.London, August 3, 1840.

The Duke of Wellington presents His compliments to Miss J., and again returns His thanks for Her Kind Enquiries about His Health.

The Duke is quite well. He earnestly recommends to Miss J. to be satisfied with the Accounts which she gets in the Newspapers.

It is impossible for the Duke to be certain of receiving a letter from Miss J. to a Moment; and that he will be able to send an answer forthwith. He has frequently stated this to Her; and in order to avoid disappointment he now tells her that he will write no more.

Who is he that saith and it cometh to pass, when THE LORD commandeth it NOT?

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.'"

CHAPTER VIII.

a peaceful period

Of the long silence that followed, extending from the third of August, 1840, to the tenth of June, 1844, Miss J. thus speaks:—

"That Christ is The Lord of Lords unto Whom all power is given in Heaven and on earth, nothing can more clearly imply than the circumstances connected with this Portion of my Diary. The Duke's last letter had decidedly declared he would write no more, and his character is too well known by the World for such to conclude he would not act up to his word and determination. But since 'it is written' 'The King's Heart is in the Hands of the Lord as the rivers of water, He turneth it which way soever he pleaseth,' so likewise all hearts. Consequently when The Lord's time came for proving to him the folly of forming such a rash resolution, he writes accordingly, and that too at a moment when I least expected it, so long a period having elapsed in silence. Nor do I, as he therein specifies, recollect requesting him to answer that any more than other letters from time to time forwarded as the Lord condescendingly influenced me, however solicitous I was for their safety. I continued to hope that their contents would eventually be permitted to lead him to feel the emptiness and nothingness of all earthly grandeur, in comparison with the enjoyment of a Crown of Glory."

What induced the Duke to reopen the correspondence is hard to determine; but the interchange of letters was soon as regular as ever.

June 10, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received all your letters, including one written yesterday, the 9th Inst; and I am very sensible of your kindness in giving me so continually such good Counsel.

I did not write to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters; because you did not express a wish that I should do so clearly till you wrote this last.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.London, June 14, 1844.At night.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received your letter of this day's date; and I am very much obliged to you for your kindness in the expression of an Interest about my Health. I am thank God! as well as I was twenty years ago, and no longer feel any Inconvenience from the Injury at that time done to my left Ear: excepting that I don't hear by the use of it, as I do by that of the other.

I hope that you are quite well.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.London, June 18, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I have to express to you my Gratitude for two very kind letters since I wrote to you last; the one of the 15th, the other of the 17th Inst.

Nothing can be more satisfactory to me than to read the statements which you write of the Interest you take in my Welfare; and I beg you to believe me

Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"As this book only admits of my referring to the Duke's letters in order to distinguish them and thereby secure their future safety I only occasionally introduce one wholly; therefore state that the next dated June 20th is an acknowledgment of others received by him."

London, June 21, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I am much obliged to you for your Letter of yesterday evening. It is true that I made no observations upon the Domestick Details which your former Letter contained: nor upon your opinion on the Inmates of the Houses in which you had been visiting.

My object in writing to you was to thank you for the kind Interest which you had not ceased to feel for my welfare; and which you have expressed with so much sincerity. I am very grateful to you; and I hope that I do not fail in expressing what I feel.

It is true! You are quite right my Time and attention are much occupied by the Publick Duties which I have engaged to perform, and I have very Little of the leisure to write upon subjects upon which I can have but an imperfect knowledge.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"I presume by a portion of the Duke's next letter dated June 22nd, 1844, that I had expressed uneasiness concerning some of mine reaching him, as he writes—'If you should have any apprehension of your letters not reaching me, you have only not to sign them. I know your handwriting perfectly and moreover should know from their purport that they could come from you alone.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated June 24th, he writes; 'You are very kind my dear Miss J. in writing to me so frequently. I have to thank you for two letters received, the last on this morning. I assure you that I am very sensible of the constant interest which you feel in my welfare.'

"The portion about to be copied in the Duke's next letter dated June 26th requires some explanation on my part previously, as it refers to a short separation which took place between my dear friend Mrs. L. and myself—arising from a circumstance that wounded me concerning a letter which interfered with my gratifying a request therein made by my dear Father before his death.

"'I am much concerned likewise to learn that you do not feel yourself on the same satisfactory terms as usual with your old friend Mrs. L. I regret this, because the Impression on my mind is, that she was your friend and that you were much attached to her. I hope therefore that before long that confidence in your mind will revive and that you will return to your old Habits of friendly intercourse with that lady which were heretofore so satisfactory to you.'

"These remarks on the part of the Duke had the desired effect and my intimacy with Mrs. L. was speedily renewed.

"In the Duke's next letter dated June 28th, 1844, he writes—'I am happy to learn that you are likely to be reconciled to Mrs. L. It is impossible that you should be otherwise than of a forgiving temper and disposition, particularly as I hope in this Case no voluntary cause for Irritation could have been given.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated July 1st he writes—'I am delighted to hear that you have renewed your old relations with Mrs. L. which I am convinced will prove satisfactory to you.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated July 3rd he writes—'I beg that you will have no scruple about writing to me on any paper, or at the moment most agreeable to you. I am aware of your occupations, that you write as well as read a great deal, that you write your thoughts as they occur to you, and that you do not attend to penmanship or Hand writing which however I assure you that I peruse with the greatest facility and always with satisfaction on account of the great interest which you express for my welfare.'"

London, July 6, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received regularly and have thanked you I believe for all the kind Letters which you have written to me, excepting one commenced on Wednesday night, and finished on thursday which reached me yesterday afternoon: and another commenced thursday afternoon which I received last night. I thank you for them all; you are most kind in writing to me: I beg you not to scruple about telling me what you think and feel. I can read your hand writing with great facility; particularly by day light, and I feel your kindness for me; and all that you express.

The Publick Duties in which I am employed occupy most of my Time: but knowing that it is satisfactory to you to receive a Note from me, I do not omit to write to you whenever I hear from you; as soon as the opportunity of doing so is afforded to me.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"The next letter from the Duke is dated July 10th, 1844, wherein he writes—'Your two letters reached me on Monday night. As I was occupied all day yesterday by the marriage of my Son  [Endnote 3] it was not in my power to write to you and thank you for your letters, which I do now and for your continued kindness to me.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated July 12th he writes—'It is true that my time is much occupied by the various public duties which I have to perform and that it frequently occurs that I am under the necessity of postponing to thank you for your kindness and continued interest for my welfare. But you may rely upon it that however I may fail or rather delay to make my acknowledgments I feel your kindness and your expressions of it.'"

London, July 15, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I have to thank you for a very kind Letter commenced on friday evening and ended on Saturday; which I received on that night. I think that I answered in a former letter all the queries which you had stated in yours?

But if I have been mistaken and you will let me know on what subject I will write upon it upon the first occasion.

I beg you not to attend to Interruptions at least so as to annoy you. I should not perceive such in your letters: which are invariably uniform in the expression of a kind Interest in my Welfare of which as well as of your kind expressions I am very sensible.

As I was going into Divine Service yesterday morning; a gentleman who met me told me that it had been reported on the previous day that I had met with a serious accident.

As this false report might reach and would annoy you; I avail myself of the first opportunity of telling you that I thank God! there is not the slightest foundation for it. I have met with no accident and have not been better for twenty Years than I am at this moment.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"In the Duke's next letter of July 19th he writes; 'I hope that you will continue to write to me all that you feel and think. I cannot express to you how grateful I am for your anxiety for my welfare.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated July 24th he writes—'I am very much obliged to you for your continued anxiety for my welfare and I read with pleasure your expressions of kind interest for me.'"

London, July 27, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—Since I last wrote to you; I have received one letter from you of the 24th and two of the 25th for all of which; and your continued kindness I thank you. I am very sensible of the freedom with which you write to me and tell me all that occurs to your Mind.

I do not yet know at what time the parliament will be prorogued: I should think in the end of August.

Notwithstanding the continued attendance; I continue thank God! as well as ever.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"In the Duke's next letter dated July 31st he writes doubtlessly in reply to some enquiry on my part—'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.'"

London, August 10, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—Many days have elapsed since I have been able to write you; but I have been again at Windsor Castle, upon the occasion of the Queen's confinement; and have besides been much occupied in Parlt and elsewhere. I have received and thank you for your letters, the last received having been commenced on the 4th and ended on thursday morning the 8th. I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me; notwithstanding that you had not heard from me.

I hope you are assured that when I do not write the cause is that I am much occupied and not that I am insensible or less sensible of your kindness.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"In the Duke's next letter dated Aug. 12th he writes—'I have just now received your kind letter written yesterday Morning, the 11th, and according to your desire I do not delay to acknowledge the receipt thereof as I understand that you are going out of Town to morrow.'

"The next letter of the Duke's of Aug. 14th—'I am sorry to hear that you do not feel very well but hope the Indisposition will be but short. The weather has been and still continues very bad and is but little inviting for a journey.'

"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. I have frequently told you to beware of the weight of your letters and to take care that each of them had upon it the proper stamp, etc. You who do not trouble yourself with the affairs of this world can form no idea of the extent of the occupation of those whose duty it is to attend to them.'

"In the Duke's next letter dated Aug. 22nd he writes 'I have been out of Town at Portsmouth and at Oxford with the Prince of Prussia since I wrote to you.'"  [Endnote 4]

London, Sept. 2, 1844.Morning.

My dear Miss J.,—I write to you now as I am under the necessity of going out of Town to Windsor Castle from whence I shall not be permitted to return till late on Wednesday.

I found a crowd around my horses after I quitted you on Saturday and I was followed away by the same persons who had followed me to your part of the Town.

I enclose what I told you that I would send you; it appears to me to be a good likeness, judging from the recollection of other Busts.

I will write to you as soon as I am certain at what time I can call upon you.

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. This annoyed him particularly on my account, as he was aware of my objection to notice, notwithstanding that I was at the time under Mrs. L.'s roof, where all the visits referred to took place and under her protection."

Of the picture to which the Duke refers, Miss J. thus writes, after his death:—

"This was his own Picture in wax, made by himself and was an impression conveying a striking resemblance. It is made upon one of his own Cards, cut in half. On this is engraved 'Field M. The Duke of –.' How this valuable Article is eventually to be disposed of, I wait upon The Lord of Lords, who permitted it to be bestowed upon me, to point out. He must determine whether it is to be sent to the British Museum, as a remembrance of one who in His Hands was permitted to become the preserver of our nation, or to be disposed of for the propagation of Christianity among the Jews in whom I am so deeply interested. Whichever it may be I trust that His Holy Name will be magnified, on account of its having been bestowed on one so devoted to the poor Duke's everlasting welfare, during the last eighteen years of his life,—his eventful life!"

London, Sept. 6, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I did not return from Windsor Castle till late on Wednesday. I was in the field with the Troops yesterday Morning; in the House of Lords from one o'clock till the Parliament was prorogued and in the Public Offices till between six & seven in the evening. Now I am about to return to Windsor Castle this afternoon for the Christening of the Infant Prince and I shall not return till night or possibly to-morrow. Here they are crying out for me in the levee Robes. Under these Circumstances I cannot fix a time at which I could go to pay you a visit.

Ever Yours most faithfully,Wellington.

The infant prince here referred to was Alfred, Duke of Edinburgh.

London, Sept. 7, 1844.Morning.

My dear Miss J.,—I write you thus early; as I see clearly that it will not be possible for me to go to see you this day.

I did not reach Home from Windsor Castle last night; till after half past twelve, and I am now required to go into the Cinque Portes.

Continue to direct to My House in London. I shall be back in a few days.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"In a letter of Sept. 9th the Duke writes from Walmer; 'My duty has obliged me to come to this part of the Country. I will return to London as soon as it will be in my power and with your permission will call upon you. It is very true that I am as well known everywhere as in my own House and that I am followed everywhere, and all that I do observed and commented upon according to the inclinations of those who think proper to follow and observe me. I am therefore anxious not to expose you or your abode to such observations.'

"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.' In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 12th, he writes; 'I again express my gratitude to you for your continued kindness and good wishes. I will go to see you as soon as I shall return to Town, of course giving you Notice.'

"The next letter from the Duke is dated Sept. 21st, in which he writes—'I am under the necessity of going out at a very early hour in the Morning and I do not return till night. But your kindness is always welcome to me and I wish that it was in my power at all times immediately to acknowledge the receipt of it.'

"In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 24th, he writes—'I am very grateful for your constant and continued kindness: you may rely upon it that if not immediately responded to it is because my time is so much occupied at a distance from my Residence.' In the Duke's letter of the 27th of Sept. he thanks me for my letters of the 24th and one concluded on Wednesday afternoon, purposing to call if in his power.

"In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 30th, he writes—'I am very happy to learn that you are not separated from Mrs. L. as soon as you expected.'

"The commencement of Oct. brought me a letter from the Duke dated Oct. 1st, acknowledging mine previously forwarded.

"I see there is a letter dated Oct. the 5th in which the Duke writes; 'I write one line to apprize you that I am in Town and that I will endeavour to go to see you at three this day.'"

Windsor, Saturday Evening,Oct. 12, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I have been here since the day after I left London; having gone to and returned from Portsmouth.

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. 4 Fitz Roy Street Fitz Roy Square.

There is no Post from hence to London this evening and I am going this night to my own House in Hampshire, where I shall put this letter in the Post tomorrow; and it will reach you on Monday. I am going there on my way to Portsmouth for the embarkation of the King of the French. I shall go there please God! on Monday morning.

I cannot say when I shall be able to return to London. But I will write to you; I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me although I have been so much occupied and so constantly in movement that I have not been able to thank you.

I hope that you will find your new Lodgings quiet; and comfortable.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.Walmer Castle, Oct. 17, 1844.

My dear Miss J.,—I arrived here yesterday evening having been in movement since I quitted my own House in Hants on Monday morning to go to Portsmouth to meet the King of the French. I was out during the thunder, Lightning and Rain on that day; and travelled afterwards: and thank God! after all this movement and exposure I am just as well as ever.  [Endnote 5]

I have to thank you for all your Letters; the last in answer to mine written before I quitted Windsor Castle; but sent from my House in Hampshire in which I enquired how you liked your new Residence.

I am much obliged to you for your continued kindness. I will go to see you as soon as I shall return to London. But I cannot yet say at what time that will be: as I am called away so frequently for other Affairs; and I have still much to occupy my attention in this part of the Country.

Your last letter was commenced on Monday the 14th and ended on Tuesday.

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 7th of Octor.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.

"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. I will add a line to it when I shall have an opportunity of sending it off, concluding at present with thanking you for your continued kindness toward me.