Part 3 (1/2)

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 Sat.u.r.day 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 sincerely

WELLINGTON.

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 Sat.u.r.day. Why do you not send each of them to me when you write it?

I think that you will have perceived on Sat.u.r.day 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 a.s.sure 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 circ.u.mstances. 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 circ.u.mstances 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 pa.s.s over your Head; before I shall intentionally offend you.

Believe me Ever Yours most sincerely

W.

July 7, 1835.