Part 26 (1/2)
And so on through pages of pious abuse.
The Duke's answer to this is characterized by a calm dignity in noticeable contrast to the petulance of most of his notes of this period.
LONDON, Feb. 12, 1851.
I beg Miss J.'s pardon if I misunderstood Her Letter; in which she understood what pa.s.sed on the day on which Parliament met! I understood that she had adverted to my attendance upon the honorary Service of the Queen!
In my Answer I observed that unless such services as well as other worldly Offices were attended to; the Affairs of the World would not go on so quietly as might be wished by those who like Miss J. thought more of Spirituals and of the next World! I hope that I do not fail in feeling due Humility upon all occasions!
And most anxious to merit approval where alone such can be of any avail! I have thought it proper to explain this to Miss J.; as I wish not to be misunderstood!
Her Most faithful Servant
WELLINGTON.
LONDON, Feb. 20, 1851.
F. M. the Duke of Wellington presents His Comp^ts to Miss J.! He has received Her Letter of the 17^th of which he acknowledges the receipt; in order to save her the trouble of making farther enquiries about it!
But he really entreats Her not to give herself the trouble of writing to him again!
It is obvious that the act of doing so irritates Miss J.! which cannot be beneficial to Her Health! He hopes that she will not write again!
Miss J. in her Diary for February 21st gives a copy of a note she wrote the Duke at this time:--
MY LORD DUKE,--I wrote to you on the 13th Inst. Whether you received it I know not, therefore acquaint you that such was the case. Feeling a.s.sured that there was nothing in that letter which in the sight of G.o.d ought to have displeased your Grace, I leave the consequences with Him accordingly, remaining Ever
His devoted Child and Servant
A. J.
The Duke's reply is as follows:--
LONDON, Feb. 22, 1851.
I received in due course Miss J.'s letter, but as I did not consider that its contents required any observation on my part; or tended to manifest Miss J.'s desire or wish to hear from me again, I did not think it really expected I acknowledge the receipt.
She did not in that letter and has not in this last mentioned Her Health, which I therefore hope continues to improve!
Her obedient Humble Servant
WELLINGTON.
Miss J. gives a copy of the letter she wrote the Duke after receiving the above, but, as she tells us, postponed sending it until she had laid the matter before the Lord:--
”Having written a long letter of four sides to the Duke, referring so unexpectedly and unintentionally to his neglect from time to time of one bestowed upon him by G.o.d Himself for his Spiritual aid, I now commit the same into His gracious Hands, beseeching Him to deal with it in whatever way is most calculated to promote His own honor and glory, preparing me accordingly for His great holy Name sake.”