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

London, June 15, 1835.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received your Letter of this Day, for which I return many thanks.

I was not able to go to see you last week as I intended. I was confined to my Home by Indisposition for some days; and I was much occupied. I am going out of town to-morrow. But I hope to be able to go to see [sic] on Saturday at three o'clock if you should not at that time have left town for the Seaside?

I will bring with me the Letters and Books which you lent me. I have read that one which you wish that I should return to you.

If you should go before I shall see you again I hope that you will let me know where.

Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyWellington.

Miss J. states that the book here alluded to was an account of the conversion of the criminal Cook, and touches upon her instrumentality in bringing about this result.

London, June 22nd, 1835.

My dear Miss J.,—I have read all your Letters since I saw you on Saturday. Why do you not send each of them to me when you write it?

I think that you will have perceived on Saturday that you was mistaken in the Notion under which you wrote some of them.

We may differ in opinion and I may be in Error. But I assure you that I cannot feel otherwise than grateful to you for your kindness to me; and respect and veneration for the Motives for it.

Let me know before you go out of town that I may not misdirect a Letter to you.

Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely,Wellington.

In the latter part of June Miss J. went to Ramsgate. The Duke's letter of July 1st is directed there:—

London, July 1st, 1835.

My dear Miss J.,—I am very sorry if in my Letter of Monday I should have said a Word which could have hurt your feelings. I think that by this time you ought to be convinced that I could not intend to do so.

I might have done so erroneously. I might have been misled by circumstances. But I could not willingly hurt the feelings of any body.

In this particular case you forget that you asked the Question whether your letters were not overweight. I told you that they were.

I likewise informed you of a Rule which we are all under the necessity of adopting; that is of returning Letters over weight; because too many Persons are in the habit of thinking that they may inclose their Letters to a well known Person; and the Charge becomes enormous. Under these circumstances my Porter has the usual order not to take in Letters overweight; which he generally returns; unless I should happen to be in the House when he enquires. I stated the fact very shortly, as I generally do; in answer to a question from yourself; and I pointed out to you that if you desired to write to me more than you could put in two Sheets, you should put your Letter in two or three or more covers.

You must not be so susceptible. Rely upon it, that many many Years will pass over your Head; before I shall intentionally offend you.

Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyW.July 7, 1835.

I have received your two Letters My Dear Miss J., and according to your desire I write immediately.

My writing is not very legible by a person not accustomed to it. But I never could have intended to apply the word mistrust to you.

You expressed apprehension that your Letters might be seen by a third person; as they might have been returned to the Post Office.

I did not write the word relatives but relations, and that not in the meaning of relatives. I adverted to your ordinary relations with other persons, which I said must be attended by some observance of their Habits and Customs.

However, there is an end of this matter. I hope that your writing to me will never be disturbed again by any checks or difficulties; or expressions which I assure you can never be intended to convey any meaning but one of kindness towards you, and of admiration of your Talents, your character and your Devotion to what is good. Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely

W.

Of the following letters Miss J. gives extracts in her Diary. There are few of his epistles in which the Duke fails to express his thanks to Miss J. for her kindness in writing to him. However gratifying this may have been to her, the constant repetition becomes monotonous to the indifferent reader. 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. I hope that you may never feel otherwise towards me than in the State of Independence to say and write to me whatever your mind may suggest.'

"In his letter of July 18th the Duke writes—'I thank you for your Letter received this morning. What I meant by reflection was not to call your attention to anything particularly passing in the world, but to the impressions made upon your own mind by any circumstance you might have observed.–You will tell me that God will direct you. So He will. But He has given us a Mind, the power of comparing and reflecting, of deciding what is true and what is false and He requires us to exercise our judgment in Matters on which He has given us the capability of forming judgment. You'll tell me that I am acting your part and teaching you instead of attending to you. But I beg you observe it is only in explanation of what I wrote to you in a former letter upon the subject of your change of opinion respecting an individual at Ramsgate.'

"The Duke here refers to a Preacher who had spoken in the open air at Ramsgate of whom I had previously written."

"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.

My dear Miss J.,—I received your Letter by the Post written on Wednesday; and have this day received that written in London to inform me that you was about to go to Harrowgate. I am much obliged to you for both.

It is true that I am in the habit of writing Answers to all Letters. But I feel great satisfaction in writing to some; to those in particular from whom I am desirous of receiving Letters; and who express a Desire to hear from me.

I am very glad that you corrected your first Impressions respecting your Preacher. I believe that we cannot too frequently pass in review our opinions upon what passes before us. We shall find ourselves frequently in Error.

I sincerely hope that the Waters of Harrowgate, may have the effect of restoring Your Health entirely. Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely

W.London, August 3, 1835.

My dear Miss J.,—I have received your letter of the 31st and I am really much concerned to learn that I have again created a feeling of displeasure in your Mind by having omitted to notice the Inconvenience which you felt upon your Journey to Harrowgate.

There is always Inconvenience in travelling in a Stage Coach. It cannot be otherwise. Indeed it is wonderful that there should be so little; and I must observe that there is less of a physical and personal Nature in travelling in this Manner in England than elsewhere. The Inconvenience felt in England is of a moral and mental description. It is formed of the trash and nonsense which a traveller is condemned to hear in these vehicles; because every body talks; and says not what he thinks but what the fancy of the Moment suggests. For this which was the particular Inconvenience which you suffered upon this Journey, there is no remedy, but Patience; and I would add Silence.

You would practice neither. You would not sit patiently and hear the stupid Irreligion of the Talker; you would reply to Him; and this occasioned much of the Annoyance which occurred.

I find that I am again taking your part, instead of my own. I do so in my own satisfaction. If you are not satisfied with my observations, you will at least perceive that I had read, nay more reflected upon your Letter and the account you gave of yourself.

But why should you torment yourself by thinking that I did not read, and did not care for what you represented that you suffered. You must be aware that you are mistaken! Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely

W.

"I presume from the Duke's next letter that I had given him a description of my interview and acquaintance with Major and Mrs. P. as he therein writes—'I am very happy that you have again seen Major and Mrs. P. I don't wonder that they should have been desirous of finding you.'

"In his next, dated the 4th, he writes—'I hope, indeed I am certain that you will not cease to write to me what you feel and that you will excuse me if I sometimes venture to act your part although not exactly in your department. I came down to the house of Lords directly after the Post arrived and I am writing to you from thence.' Judging by the next letter, dated August 6th, I had made some enquiry concerning Major P. as the Duke replies thus, 'I don't recollect Major P. But as nearly every officer in the Army who has served has served with me I don't doubt that he has. Ask him in what regiment he served.'"

London, August 7, 1835.

My dear Miss J.,—I beg pardon again for having omitted to notice the personal Inconvenience you suffered in your Journey to and your arrival in Harrowgate. I should have thought the impertinent Blasphemy of the Travellers in the Stage Coach would have annoyed you more than any personal inconvenience.

I see no chance of my quitting London; or of having one moment's respite from Business. I passed twelve Hours yesterday; and I am going to pass twelve Hours this day in the House of Peers. I hope therefore that I shall see you even though your stay in Harrowgate should be prolonged more than you expect.

Believe me Ever Yours most sincerelyW.

This, with the other letters given entire, is copied from the original MS. in the Duke's handwriting. Miss J. quotes only a line from the above, and goes on to one written the next day:—

"In that dated the 8th of August the Duke writes 'I don't consider with you that it is necessary to enter into a disputation with every wandering Blasphemer—much must depend upon the circumstances. But I must say that the Meekness of the Christian is better displayed by silence on such an occasion, and more good is done by contempt than by any disputation. However I may be wrong and you right and I only suggest my own opinion.'

"In the Duke's letter dated August 8th he alludes kindly to my health, adding 'I am very much flattered by your letters but I hope that you will not think it necessary to write when it will produce pain or uneasiness to make such an exertion. As long as your silence will not be attributed to your being offended at anything I may have done or written, or may have omitted I shall regret it as it will prove to me that you are indisposed but I shall not feel that you are displeased.' By the Duke's next letter, dated August 12th, I presume I had referred to his time being so much occupied as he in reply writes 'It is true that I am very much occupied, and cannot tell when I shall be less so. But I am at all times happy to hear from you and to write you an answer in return.'

"In the Duke's little lecturing letter of the 13th of August he writes; 'I beg you not to hesitate about writing to me whenever it can be agreeable to you. I am not capable of answering you and quoting Chapter and verse in support of my answer but I take from your own letter a word which I think supports my opinion, "Charity beareth all things." You will quote much to show that you ought to enter the lists upon every occasion that offers or rather that is intruded upon you, etc, etc, etc. You see that I am fast taking your part from you.'

"O that you could! for it was my desire that the Duke should become a Paul in his generation, sitting at his feet accordingly.

"In the Duke's letter of the 14th of August he writes—'My attendance in the House of Lords is not at this moment so constant as it was some days ago. Yet its business occupies much of my time in the morning but I have some for other purposes.'

"By the Duke's letter of the 17th I must have assured him of my intention to return to Town—for he writes—'I shall not have left London when you will return and I will certainly call upon you as soon as I shall have heard where you will be. I shall still be as I am now, much occupied with the Business of Parliament but I don't doubt that I shall be able to find a moment to call upon you either in the morning or the evening.'

"In the Duke's letter of the 18th he kindly advises me not to travel at night fearing it may prove injurious adding 'I have more experience than most persons in travelling.'

"In the Duke's letter of August 19th he writes as follows—'I write to you constantly in return for your letters and I find time to do so without inconvenience, but I am afraid that I shall not be able to go to see you with so much fidelity. A visit takes time, to write a letter is an affair of a few minutes. I am never in Town excepting during the sitting of Parliament and then only when there is much business to be transacted which occupies my whole time.'

"By the Duke's of the 20th I must have complained of the worldliness, etc. around me for he writes after remarking thereon; 'But if you should recover your health there you must not mind the annoyance of the irregularities of what is called the Company.' The Duke kindly says in his next, dated August 21st, 'I hope you are not coming away sooner than is good for you.'

"In the Duke's next letter of the 22nd of August he writes—'I shall expect to hear from you when you will arrive and will be settled in London and I will pay you a visit as soon afterwards as it will be in my power.'

"The next letter from the Duke is dated August 26th, implying he proposed calling when in his power, but adds 'You arrive at a moment in which I am much occupied. You are at some distance from hence; and I don't think that from nine in the morning till 12 at night I could easily find half an hour which I can call my own and at my disposition.'

"In the Duke's letter of the 27th he writes; 'I will endeavor to call upon you this day before three. I cannot afterwards. If I should call when you don't expect me I will send up that I am the Gentleman to whom you wrote; unless I should previously hear from you that I may mention my Name.'

"Which of course I did not allow, as it was not my desire to be noticed in the neighborhood, shrinking from it then, as I do now, when it can be avoided. I recollect the Duke's visit well for he had to wait until I was dressed by dear Mrs. L. who was in the house at the time, as usual, for I think he came earlier than I had expected. Consequently in his next of the 29th he writes; 'I don't see why you are to take the trouble of dressing to receive me. But that is your own affair. If you should do so I can wait with Patience.'

"This was very pretty in His Grace, but as my dress was always very simple, it did not require any great exercise of that virtue.

"By the Duke's next letter of Sept. 1st I fear another letter is missing as he writes therein 'Mine of yesterday morning will have informed you that I was obliged to attend the King at Windsor on Saturday and a part of His family at Kew on Sunday.—I did not say that all my time was passed in the House of Lords. Much of it is certainly passed out of the House, but a great part of it is passed in receiving and talking to the Hundreds, I may say, of the persons who have business in the House and come to converse on the business with me.'

"In the Duke's next letter of Sept. 4th he writes; 'I received this morning your letter of yesterday, but have not received the Tract that you mention. It is possibly too heavy for the 2nd Post.'

"Perhaps this was the case, as I do not recollect hearing any more of it. The next letter from His Grace is dated the same, Sept. 4th, Noon, in which he writes; 'I will endeavor to fix and let you know the time in which I can wait upon you again.'

"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 much obliged to you for the Tract which I will return as soon as I shall have perused it.' I presume this must have been a little book entitled The Joy of Israel as I only lent that to people, its having been a Gift, for it is still in my possession. In the Duke's next, dated Sept. 7th, the Duke writes—'I have received your letter written on Saturday for which I return you many thanks. 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. In the mean time be assured that I am anxious to have the pleasure and benefit of conversing with you as often as it may be in my power to see you.'"

A few passages taken from Miss J.'s Diary at this time are interesting as displaying the intimate friendship that at this period existed between her and the Duke. On the 6th of September she writes:—

"I have been here (in London,) nearly a fortnight, yet have seen the Duke only twice, but receive letters daily,—and last night a particularly kind one. I have been expecting him, but he comes not, being so occupied with his Parliamentary business. What can I say to such things but this,—'Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?' and, 'Has HE not a right to do what HE will with His own?'

"September 10th. I wrote to the Duke to-day and hope the Lord will permit him to receive and answer it kindly. The Subject on which I addressed him was on Christ becoming sin for us and bearing the wrath of the Father. O Lord, I pray Thee, have mercy upon his precious soul!

"September 14th. I shall have been here three weeks to morrow, during which I have seen the Duke four times, and will just allude to the subjects introduced during each visit.

"The first brought with it remarks on true Nobility, obliging me to declare it is to be found only in Christ and His Righteousness in man. I mentioned what St. Paul said when contrasting the Bereans with the Thessalonians, namely, 'These were more noble than those in Thessalonica in that they received the word with all readiness

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