Part 20 (1/2)

”In the Duke's next letter, dated Oct. 2nd, he writes--'I hope that you will continue in good health. You will if you keep yourself warm in the severe weather of the Autumn and commencement of the winter--and in tranquillity.'

”In the Duke's next letter dated Oct. 7th he writes--'I have and thank you for your letters of the 2nd & 3rd, the last finished on the 4th, and I am happy that you are in your new dwelling which I hope you will find satisfactory to you, and above all that the Air will be salubrious.'

”Judging by the Duke's next, I think that he must have misunderstood my intentions, as he writes in his letter, dated Oct.

16th; 'I am concerned to learn that you are again about to change the place of your Abode. I should think that these constant changes must fatigue you.'

”In the Duke's next letter, dated Oct. 12th, which I now perceive ought to have been introduced above that of the 16th, he writes--'I am very much pleased that you are not otherwise than comfortable in your new residence.'

”I presume, judging by the Duke's next letter, dated Dec. 18th, that I had referred to my poor Jane's illness, as he writes; 'I am sorry to hear that your favorite companion disturbs your rest as rest is especially necessary after the recovery from any illness.'”

The correspondence had in 1848 dwindled down almost to nothingness, at least on the Duke's side. It is only doing Miss J. justice to believe that her zeal and industry continued unabated. There had apparently been no other dispute. Miss J. herself remarks upon the fact that during the entire year she received but three letters from the Duke.

”It may be seen judging by these letters, that there was not any other cause for the fewness of such but the full occupation of his time alluded to so frequently. Therefore I presume this was permitted by The Great Lord of Lords for unerring purposes known only to Himself.

”The first in this year is dated May 8th, wherein the Duke writes--'It is perfectly true that much time has elapsed since I have written to you and that I have received many letters from you for which I ought to have returned my thanks, but the demands upon and the employment of my time in the service of the Public has been so constant that I really have not had leisure. I hope that you are well and that the weather will re-establish your health entirely, and by enabling you to go out into the Air fortify against future attacks.'”

LONDON, July 30, 1848.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I have received many Letters and this morning one of yesterday with copies of many others before written! I was and am sorry to learn that you are unwell. Your letters are extremely difficult to read, and my time is and has been much occupied by my Duties!

Believe me Dear Miss J. ever

Yours most faithfully

WELLINGTON.

P.S. I have frequently entreated to write your Address, your place of Abode on each Letter. It is not possible for me to recollect every thing!

”In the next letter from the Duke, dated Dec. 24th, he writes; 'I am really much concerned that my time has been so much occupied lately and I have been so much in movement as that I have not been able to write to you.'”

1849.

LONDON, Feb. 2, 1849.

MY DEAR MISS J.,--I am really much concerned that the Newspapers should insert statements of my being sick, of which the Editors can know nothing. I thank G.o.d! I am & have been as well throughout the Winter as I have been in my Life.

Ever Yours Most Faithfully

WELLINGTON.

LONDON, Feb. 20, 1849, Morning.

It is very true My Dear Miss J. that some time has elapsed since I have been able to go to see you, and that I have omitted to write to you. The reason of this last mentioned omission is, that I could not go to see you or fix a time at which I could and as I had not heard from you, I thought it best not to write. I beg you observe likewise that I have been time [_sic_] at Windsor Castle; and also at my own House in Hants since I saw you.

I am very sorry; but my Time is so much occupied; and while the Almighty will Deign to permit me to live, will be so occupied; as that I shall not have leisure to pay visits. I have frequently expressed my regrets; that it shd be so; and repeat them now. I received a letter on Sat.u.r.day night last; commenced that morning; and ended in the afternoon. I wrote an answer; and just as I was about to close it and send it off on Monday; I received the Report of the occurrence of a severe Family misfortune; which prevented the execution of my purpose.

I received a second note from you last night dated yesterday afternoon, and I am delighted to learn that your Eyes are better.