Part 7 (1/2)

”The Duke's next letter expresses concern at my illness, dated Dec.

21, 1835.

”The Duke's next letter of the 24th of Dec. implies my account of my health was not satisfactory--which I suppose must have been justifiable as I was then so seriously ill.

”Another letter dated the 26th of December kindly expresses anxiety concerning my health also one of the 31st of December.

”Letters received from the Duke during the year 1835, SEVENTY-EIGHT.”

”1836.--The first letter of this year is dated Jan. 2nd wherein the Duke writes 'The Duke is very sensible of the kindness which induces Miss J. to write to him. He would have wished to receive from her some account of Her Health as well as her opinion upon other matters, however important. The Duke will certainly request Miss J.'s permission to pay His Respects to her when he will return to Town.'

”The Duke's next letter is dated Jan. 19th, in which he writes--'On his pa.s.sage through London he has received her letter of the 11th Inst. He sincerely rejoices at and congratulates Miss J. upon the progress which she has made in the recovery of her health.'

”I see this is a mistake as the Duke's next letter is dated Jan.

7th in which he thanks me for my account of my health and the next is dated Jan 13th wherein he writes thus; 'He will wait upon her after having notified His intention and received her permission when he will be in London. He rejoices at the improved state of Miss J.'s health.'

”'Feb. 3rd he regrets much to learn that she has been again indisposed.'

”In the Duke's letter of Feb. 19th he writes; 'He returns his thanks for her note of the 17th received this morning and the printed Enclosures.' What these printed enclosures were I do not now remember but presume they were a tract and handbills.

”In his next dated the 25th of February he writes; 'He returns his thanks for her letter, and he is very happy to hear that Miss J. is sufficiently recovered to be able to quit her room and go down stairs.'

”In the Duke's next letter dated March 9th 1836, he writes--'The Duke has been out of Town for some time so therefore he did not receive her first note till last night, and this day the second which Miss J. has written to him, enclosing printed tracts; and the latter some Ma.n.u.script Lines. The Duke begs leave to return his thanks.'

”Again on the 12th of March the Duke writes 'He has received her note and the Tract on one leaf; for which he returns his thanks.'

Again on the 19th of March the Duke writes--'The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. and returns his thanks for the Tract and other papers received from her.'

”The Duke's next letter likewise acknowledges--'His thanks for her letter of the 20th and its Enclosures.' To which he adds--'The Duke is happy to learn that Miss J. is sufficiently recovered to be able to walk out.'

”In the Duke's next letter dated, March 25th he writes 'The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. and returns thanks for her Note and the Tract which she enclosed to him.'

”Again London, March the 29th, the Duke writes--He 'returns his thanks for her letter of Sunday and the enclosures.'

”The next letter from His Grace is dated April 2nd, 1836, thanking me for two letters, one received on Good Friday and the other written on Good Friday,--which last, of course, treated on our Lord's Sufferings for us sinners, as usual on such occasions.

”On the 11th of April the Duke again writes 'He has received her Note with some Tracts.'

”The next letter from the Duke is dated April 12th, 1836, in which he returns me, as requested, a letter I had sent for his perusal and consideration, addressed to a Minister of the Gospel by my dear friend Mrs. L.

”The Duke's next letter is written on and dated June 18th, 1836.

'The Duke of Wellington presents his regards to Miss J. and returns thanks for her letter and its enclosure. The Duke is happy to learn that Miss J. is in good Health. He was apprehensive that she was unwell, and had gone out of Town, as so much time had elapsed since she had written to the Duke.' I need scarcely remark that this was the day on which the Duke gave his yearly Banquet--yet The great Lord of Lords compelled him to find time thereon to write to me, thus verifying His own Divine declaration, 'Them that honor ME I will honor.'”

One wonders where the busy statesman could have found time to read not only the letters, but the hymns and tracts Miss J. constantly showered upon him. There seems a tone of resignation, if not actual despair, in the notes wherein he acknowledges the receipt of this flood of pious literature.

”In the Duke's next letter of June 21st he writes--'The Duke of Wellington presents his Compliments to Miss J. and he acknowledges the receipt of, and thanks her for her letter of the 19th inst. and enclosures. Miss J. does not advert to the state of her health, but as she says that she walks in the Park, the Duke hopes that she is entirely recovered.'

”His Grace's letter of June 23rd returns his thanks, adding: 'When Miss J. mentions her walks in the park The Duke concludes that she means in what is called the Regent's Park, in the neighborhood of the Street in which she lives.' Which was the case yet of which beautiful Park I knew nothing until dearest Mrs. L. took me into it for the benefit of the air, after the illness herein alluded to.