Part 15 (1/2)

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 Sat.u.r.day 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 Circ.u.mstances 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 faithfully

WELLINGTON.