Part 11 (1/2)

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received at the Same time your Letters of the 30^th Sept^r and 1 October.

I a.s.sure you that I am very sensible of your kindness; and of your motives for writing to me; and that nothing could induce me to write a Word or to commit an Act which would displease much less excite you.

When I received the expression of your wish to have my Picture I felt that the compliance with your wish might be inconvenient to you. But I postponed to give you an answer Wis.h.i.+ng to avoid to do any thing to displease you; and thinking it possible nay probable that your own reflections would have induced you to avoid to renew the Subject.

As however you did mention it again I gave you the answer which has satisfied you.

I have not mentioned the Period of my return to London; as it is very uncertain.

Believe me My Dear Miss J.

Ever Yours most faithfully

WELLINGTON.

”The Duke's next letter is dated Oct. 7th. 'I have four letters of yours to acknowledge the receipt of, for which I return many thanks. In one you mention your indisposition but as you have not again adverted thereto I trust that you are better.'

”The 13th of Oct. the Duke writes 'I read your letters in the order in which you wish they should be read,' before closing which letter he acknowledges or writes another therein acknowledging mine of the 12th dating this additional letter Oct. 14th.

WALMER CASTLE, Oct. 20, 1838.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have again to acknowledge the receipt of several Letters from you commencing on Sunday the 14^th. I have been absent; and did not receive them till this morning. And as the Post for London does not go out till tomorrow, I will keep this till then in order that I may add the acknowledgment of the receipt of any other letter that you may have written me in the end of the Week.

In answer to the Wish that you have expressed to know when I shall be in London I mention that I shall not be there for some time.

You are in the Habit of writing to me freely upon all Subjects; and you say that you derive satisfaction from so doing. I a.s.sure you that I am sensible of the Interest which you feel for my Welfare; and of your Motive in writing to me.

But I confess that I cannot understand as you do, the High Authorities which you quote. I wish that I was sufficiently informed to be capable of reasoning with you whether verbally or in writing.

I do not pretend therefore to do more than acknowledge the receipt of your Letters; and thank you for your kindness.

Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully

WELLINGTON.

I am delighted to find that you are so well.

_October 21._ There is no letter from you this day.

”In the Duke's next letter of Oct. 21st, 1838, he returns me many thanks for a letter 'commenced on the 21st and ended on the 22nd.'

”The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 3rd, referring to impressions on my mind which Time has declared to be erroneous with regard to the end G.o.d had in view, but as His glory was then as now my chief consideration I trust to behold this precious portion of Holy Writ verified therein. 'As high as the heavens are above the earth so are My Ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts,' and that G.o.d will consequently be much more glorified and magnified under existing circ.u.mstances than HE possibly could under any other for His great, glorious, Holy Name Sake!

”The next letter from His Grace is dated Nov. 10th 1838 thanking me for my last and the only remaining one of this year dated Nov.

19th wherein he returns many thanks for the letters I had sent him.

”Letters received during this year from the Duke of Wellington TWENTY TWO.”