Kitabı oku: «The Letters of the Duke of Wellington to Miss J., 1834-1851», sayfa 7
CHAPTER VIII.
a peaceful period
Of the long silence that followed, extending from the third of August, 1840, to the tenth of June, 1844, Miss J. thus speaks:—
"That Christ is The Lord of Lords unto Whom all power is given in Heaven and on earth, nothing can more clearly imply than the circumstances connected with this Portion of my Diary. The Duke's last letter had decidedly declared he would write no more, and his character is too well known by the World for such to conclude he would not act up to his word and determination. But since 'it is written' 'The King's Heart is in the Hands of the Lord as the rivers of water, He turneth it which way soever he pleaseth,' so likewise all hearts. Consequently when The Lord's time came for proving to him the folly of forming such a rash resolution, he writes accordingly, and that too at a moment when I least expected it, so long a period having elapsed in silence. Nor do I, as he therein specifies, recollect requesting him to answer that any more than other letters from time to time forwarded as the Lord condescendingly influenced me, however solicitous I was for their safety. I continued to hope that their contents would eventually be permitted to lead him to feel the emptiness and nothingness of all earthly grandeur, in comparison with the enjoyment of a Crown of Glory."
What induced the Duke to reopen the correspondence is hard to determine; but the interchange of letters was soon as regular as ever.
June 10, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—I have received all your letters, including one written yesterday, the 9th Inst; and I am very sensible of your kindness in giving me so continually such good Counsel.
I did not write to acknowledge the receipt of your Letters; because you did not express a wish that I should do so clearly till you wrote this last.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
London, June 14, 1844.At night.
My dear Miss J.,—I have received your letter of this day's date; and I am very much obliged to you for your kindness in the expression of an Interest about my Health. I am thank God! as well as I was twenty years ago, and no longer feel any Inconvenience from the Injury at that time done to my left Ear: excepting that I don't hear by the use of it, as I do by that of the other.
I hope that you are quite well.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
London, June 18, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—I have to express to you my Gratitude for two very kind letters since I wrote to you last; the one of the 15th, the other of the 17th Inst.
Nothing can be more satisfactory to me than to read the statements which you write of the Interest you take in my Welfare; and I beg you to believe me
Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
"As this book only admits of my referring to the Duke's letters in order to distinguish them and thereby secure their future safety I only occasionally introduce one wholly; therefore state that the next dated June 20th is an acknowledgment of others received by him."
London, June 21, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—I am much obliged to you for your Letter of yesterday evening. It is true that I made no observations upon the Domestick Details which your former Letter contained: nor upon your opinion on the Inmates of the Houses in which you had been visiting.
My object in writing to you was to thank you for the kind Interest which you had not ceased to feel for my welfare; and which you have expressed with so much sincerity. I am very grateful to you; and I hope that I do not fail in expressing what I feel.
It is true! You are quite right my Time and attention are much occupied by the Publick Duties which I have engaged to perform, and I have very Little of the leisure to write upon subjects upon which I can have but an imperfect knowledge.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
"I presume by a portion of the Duke's next letter dated June 22nd, 1844, that I had expressed uneasiness concerning some of mine reaching him, as he writes—'If you should have any apprehension of your letters not reaching me, you have only not to sign them. I know your handwriting perfectly and moreover should know from their purport that they could come from you alone.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 24th, he writes; 'You are very kind my dear Miss J. in writing to me so frequently. I have to thank you for two letters received, the last on this morning. I assure you that I am very sensible of the constant interest which you feel in my welfare.'
"The portion about to be copied in the Duke's next letter dated June 26th requires some explanation on my part previously, as it refers to a short separation which took place between my dear friend Mrs. L. and myself—arising from a circumstance that wounded me concerning a letter which interfered with my gratifying a request therein made by my dear Father before his death.
"'I am much concerned likewise to learn that you do not feel yourself on the same satisfactory terms as usual with your old friend Mrs. L. I regret this, because the Impression on my mind is, that she was your friend and that you were much attached to her. I hope therefore that before long that confidence in your mind will revive and that you will return to your old Habits of friendly intercourse with that lady which were heretofore so satisfactory to you.'
"These remarks on the part of the Duke had the desired effect and my intimacy with Mrs. L. was speedily renewed.
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 28th, 1844, he writes—'I am happy to learn that you are likely to be reconciled to Mrs. L. It is impossible that you should be otherwise than of a forgiving temper and disposition, particularly as I hope in this Case no voluntary cause for Irritation could have been given.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 1st he writes—'I am delighted to hear that you have renewed your old relations with Mrs. L. which I am convinced will prove satisfactory to you.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 3rd he writes—'I beg that you will have no scruple about writing to me on any paper, or at the moment most agreeable to you. I am aware of your occupations, that you write as well as read a great deal, that you write your thoughts as they occur to you, and that you do not attend to penmanship or Hand writing which however I assure you that I peruse with the greatest facility and always with satisfaction on account of the great interest which you express for my welfare.'"
London, July 6, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—I have received regularly and have thanked you I believe for all the kind Letters which you have written to me, excepting one commenced on Wednesday night, and finished on thursday which reached me yesterday afternoon: and another commenced thursday afternoon which I received last night. I thank you for them all; you are most kind in writing to me: I beg you not to scruple about telling me what you think and feel. I can read your hand writing with great facility; particularly by day light, and I feel your kindness for me; and all that you express.
The Publick Duties in which I am employed occupy most of my Time: but knowing that it is satisfactory to you to receive a Note from me, I do not omit to write to you whenever I hear from you; as soon as the opportunity of doing so is afforded to me.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
"The next letter from the Duke is dated July 10th, 1844, wherein he writes—'Your two letters reached me on Monday night. As I was occupied all day yesterday by the marriage of my Son [Endnote 3] it was not in my power to write to you and thank you for your letters, which I do now and for your continued kindness to me.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 12th he writes—'It is true that my time is much occupied by the various public duties which I have to perform and that it frequently occurs that I am under the necessity of postponing to thank you for your kindness and continued interest for my welfare. But you may rely upon it that however I may fail or rather delay to make my acknowledgments I feel your kindness and your expressions of it.'"
London, July 15, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—I have to thank you for a very kind Letter commenced on friday evening and ended on Saturday; which I received on that night. I think that I answered in a former letter all the queries which you had stated in yours?
But if I have been mistaken and you will let me know on what subject I will write upon it upon the first occasion.
I beg you not to attend to Interruptions at least so as to annoy you. I should not perceive such in your letters: which are invariably uniform in the expression of a kind Interest in my Welfare of which as well as of your kind expressions I am very sensible.
As I was going into Divine Service yesterday morning; a gentleman who met me told me that it had been reported on the previous day that I had met with a serious accident.
As this false report might reach and would annoy you; I avail myself of the first opportunity of telling you that I thank God! there is not the slightest foundation for it. I have met with no accident and have not been better for twenty Years than I am at this moment.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
"In the Duke's next letter of July 19th he writes; 'I hope that you will continue to write to me all that you feel and think. I cannot express to you how grateful I am for your anxiety for my welfare.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 24th he writes—'I am very much obliged to you for your continued anxiety for my welfare and I read with pleasure your expressions of kind interest for me.'"
London, July 27, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—Since I last wrote to you; I have received one letter from you of the 24th and two of the 25th for all of which; and your continued kindness I thank you. I am very sensible of the freedom with which you write to me and tell me all that occurs to your Mind.
I do not yet know at what time the parliament will be prorogued: I should think in the end of August.
Notwithstanding the continued attendance; I continue thank God! as well as ever.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
"In the Duke's next letter dated July 31st he writes doubtlessly in reply to some enquiry on my part—'It is impossible for me to say at what period Parliament will be prorogued. I thank you for the beautiful lines which you have sent me.'"
London, August 10, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—Many days have elapsed since I have been able to write you; but I have been again at Windsor Castle, upon the occasion of the Queen's confinement; and have besides been much occupied in Parlt and elsewhere. I have received and thank you for your letters, the last received having been commenced on the 4th and ended on thursday morning the 8th. I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me; notwithstanding that you had not heard from me.
I hope you are assured that when I do not write the cause is that I am much occupied and not that I am insensible or less sensible of your kindness.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
"In the Duke's next letter dated Aug. 12th he writes—'I have just now received your kind letter written yesterday Morning, the 11th, and according to your desire I do not delay to acknowledge the receipt thereof as I understand that you are going out of Town to morrow.'
"The next letter of the Duke's of Aug. 14th—'I am sorry to hear that you do not feel very well but hope the Indisposition will be but short. The weather has been and still continues very bad and is but little inviting for a journey.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Aug. 16th 'I am very sorry indeed to learn that any of your letters have been returned from the House to the Post Office opened and sent back to you. I have frequently told you to beware of the weight of your letters and to take care that each of them had upon it the proper stamp, etc. You who do not trouble yourself with the affairs of this world can form no idea of the extent of the occupation of those whose duty it is to attend to them.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated Aug. 22nd he writes 'I have been out of Town at Portsmouth and at Oxford with the Prince of Prussia since I wrote to you.'" [Endnote 4]
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 Saturday 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 Circumstances 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 faithfullyWellington.
"In a letter of Sept. 9th the Duke writes from Walmer; 'My duty has obliged me to come to this part of the Country. I will return to London as soon as it will be in my power and with your permission will call upon you. It is very true that I am as well known everywhere as in my own House and that I am followed everywhere, and all that I do observed and commented upon according to the inclinations of those who think proper to follow and observe me. I am therefore anxious not to expose you or your abode to such observations.'
"The Duke's next letter is from Walmer, dated Sept. 11th, wherein he writes, after thanking me for my letter; 'I am as usual very much employed but I thank God, quite well.' In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 12th, he writes; 'I again express my gratitude to you for your continued kindness and good wishes. I will go to see you as soon as I shall return to Town, of course giving you Notice.'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated Sept. 21st, in which he writes—'I am under the necessity of going out at a very early hour in the Morning and I do not return till night. But your kindness is always welcome to me and I wish that it was in my power at all times immediately to acknowledge the receipt of it.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 24th, he writes—'I am very grateful for your constant and continued kindness: you may rely upon it that if not immediately responded to it is because my time is so much occupied at a distance from my Residence.' In the Duke's letter of the 27th of Sept. he thanks me for my letters of the 24th and one concluded on Wednesday afternoon, purposing to call if in his power.
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Sept. 30th, he writes—'I am very happy to learn that you are not separated from Mrs. L. as soon as you expected.'
"The commencement of Oct. brought me a letter from the Duke dated Oct. 1st, acknowledging mine previously forwarded.
"I see there is a letter dated Oct. the 5th in which the Duke writes; 'I write one line to apprize you that I am in Town and that I will endeavour to go to see you at three this day.'"
Windsor, Saturday Evening,Oct. 12, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—I have been here since the day after I left London; having gone to and returned from Portsmouth.
I have received two letters from you the last commenced on Wednesday evening and finished, on Friday morning or rather later in the day on Friday after you had taken a Lodging No. 4 Fitz Roy Street Fitz Roy Square.
There is no Post from hence to London this evening and I am going this night to my own House in Hampshire, where I shall put this letter in the Post tomorrow; and it will reach you on Monday. I am going there on my way to Portsmouth for the embarkation of the King of the French. I shall go there please God! on Monday morning.
I cannot say when I shall be able to return to London. But I will write to you; I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me although I have been so much occupied and so constantly in movement that I have not been able to thank you.
I hope that you will find your new Lodgings quiet; and comfortable.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
Walmer Castle, Oct. 17, 1844.
My dear Miss J.,—I arrived here yesterday evening having been in movement since I quitted my own House in Hants on Monday morning to go to Portsmouth to meet the King of the French. I was out during the thunder, Lightning and Rain on that day; and travelled afterwards: and thank God! after all this movement and exposure I am just as well as ever. [Endnote 5]
I have to thank you for all your Letters; the last in answer to mine written before I quitted Windsor Castle; but sent from my House in Hampshire in which I enquired how you liked your new Residence.
I am much obliged to you for your continued kindness. I will go to see you as soon as I shall return to London. But I cannot yet say at what time that will be: as I am called away so frequently for other Affairs; and I have still much to occupy my attention in this part of the Country.
Your last letter was commenced on Monday the 14th and ended on Tuesday.
I am very certain that I have received all your Letters, and I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me; particularly one on five sheets of paper commenced on the 7th of Octor.
Believe me Ever Yours most faithfullyWellington.
"The Duke's next letter is dated Oct. 19th, in which he writes; 'This Note cannot be sent from hence this day, there being no post. I will add a line to it when I shall have an opportunity of sending it off, concluding at present with thanking you for your continued kindness toward me.
"'P.S. I add a line to tell you that I have received; and am very sensible of the kindness of your Letter of the 18th in the middle of the day; which was brought down here this evening by a messenger from my House in London.
"'I am happy to find that you had received my Letter; you need not be apprehensive of my catching Cold on my Journeys. You may rely upon my taking care of myself.
"'Believe me Ever Yours most faithfully,
"'Wellington.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Oct. 24th, he writes—'I have to acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for your continued kindness in writing me two long letters.' At the end the Duke writes; 'It is possible that I may be under the necessity of going to London to attend to the opening of the New Royal Exchange.'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated Nov. 6th wherein he writes;
"'Some days have elapsed since I have heard from you and as I cannot recollect any reason for your silence I begin to be apprehensive that you may have been unwell and have been prevented by indisposition from writing to me. I therefore write this line to request you to write to me and let me know how you are.'
"On the same sheet the Duke writes Nov. 7th; 'I have this morning received yours of the 6th and am delighted to find that you are not indisposed. I was in Town on two different days in last week; in one I attended the Ceremony of opening the Royal Exchange by Her Majesty the Queen [Endnote 6]—on another to attend the marriage and indeed to give away in marriage a young Lady and was under the necessity of returning here as Time, Tides and Trains or Railroads wait for no Man and I had not time even to write, much less to go to see you.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 10th 1844 wherein he writes—'You always express in your letters the same interest for my welfare which has always drawn from me the expressions of my grateful sense of your kindness.' Again in the Duke's next letter dated Nov. the 12th he writes; 'Notwithstanding that I wrote to you so lately I will not suffer the Post to go this day without expressing my sense of your kindness in writing to me.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 19th, in which he writes—'I intend to go to see you as soon as I shall have a moment's leisure. But my time is really so much employed in the service of the Public as to leave me none for social purposes and scarcely enough for Repose.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Nov. 20th, wherein he writes—'I write you one line to tell you that if it should be in my power I will call upon you this day after three o'clock.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 3rd, wherein he writes—'I was so much occupied with public business that I could not call upon you again. I am quite well. Then I was at Windsor Castle in attendance upon Her Majesty the Queen during the five last days of last week. I have not got the Parcel to which you referred.'
"In the Duke's letter dated Dec. 11th, he writes; 'I have been very much concerned to hear that you are unwell. You must take care of yourself and keep yourself very warm in this bad weather.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 14th wherein he writes—'I returned to London last night having been detained at Windsor Castle till late in the afternoon and I went there on Thursday and received your Note dated the 13th, for which I am much obliged.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 20th wherein he writes—'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 regret that it should be so and repeat them now.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Dec. 21st, he writes; 'I am very sensible of the kindness of your letter of yesterday afternoon which I received last night.
"'I am, thank God! in perfect good health but have had the misfortune of losing my Sister. But I trust that by the Mercy of God! She is Happy.' [Endnote 7]
"The Duke's next letter is dated Dec. 24th, wherein he writes—'I have received several letters from you after my return to Town after paying the last Respects to the Memory of my poor Sister—I return you my thanks for them all and am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me.'
"In a letter from the Duke dated Dec. 26th, he writes—'I am sorry to learn that you have caught cold and are suffering from sore throat. I hope that you will take care of yourself and avoid to expose yourself to cold in this severe weather. I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me as you have; I hope that I feel as I ought upon the occasion of the recent described affliction which I have suffered.'
"1845.—The first letter from the Duke, of this year, is dated Jan. 3rd, wherein he writes; 'I am very much obliged to you my dear Miss J. for several letters received from you in these last days; and regret that I was so much occupied when I received each of them as to be unable to acknowledge its receipt by return of Post. I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me.'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated Jan. 13th wherein he writes—
"When I wrote to you last My dear Miss J. I omitted to thank you for one letter which I had received from you. The one to which I refer was dated the 23rd Inst., the day on which I attended the funeral of my poor Sister. I was in London for three days but my time was so much occupied that I could not even write to you, much less fix a time at which I could be able to pay you a visit.'
"In the next letter from the Duke dated Strathfieldsaye, Jan. 17th, he writes; 'You have been correctly informed; Her Majesty the Queen does intend to pay me a visit here on Monday the 20th and to remain till Thursday the 23rd.' [Endnote 8]
"In the next letter from the Duke, dated Jan. 23rd, he writes—'I am much obliged to you my dear Miss J. for all your letters dated the 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st which I have received regularly in due course. I wish that it were in my power to peruse them when I receive them—still more to acknowledge the receipt of them regularly. But that is impossible. My time is so much occupied that I have scarcely sufficient for Rest. However my Health continues excellent and my strength unimpaired.' The next letter from the Duke is dated Feb. 7th 1845, wherein he writes; 'I have received many letters from you, dated the 20th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 26th and Feb. 2nd, which I have not expressed the sense of gratitude I felt for your kindness in writing them. But in truth I have been so much occupied, not alone by my public business but by the afflicting sickness of one of my Family; one of whom,—My Niece, we have lost; and another, my brother, is still very unwell that I have really scarcely had time to turn about. However I thank God! my brother is stronger and better and I hope that he will be able to bear the remedies which must be administered to him.'
"In the Duke's next letter he writes, dating it Feb. 8th—'I fear that there was one letter which I did not acknowledge in my note of yesterday—that of the 3rd Inst. But I must say that my time and attention are so much taken up from morning till I go to bed at night that it is not surprising that I should pass over a letter in acknowledging the receipt of others, however kind and interesting, its contents. I have really more to do than I can find time for, notwithstanding my constant attention and diligence.'
"In the poor Duke's next letter he writes—dating it Feb. 25th; 'My omission to write to you etc—is to be attributed to my constant occupation in the Public service and since My return to Town in these latter days, since the Queen paid me a visit, by the continued illness of my poor brother; and by my attendance upon Him, his wife and afflicted family. I was very sensible of your kind offer of Assistance—But he had everything. We lost him, Alas! on Saturday night, I am happy to say without pain or suffering. [Endnote 9] His last moments were those of a good Christian in peace with all the world and I trust, in the Mercy of the Almighty, in favor with Him! You are very kind and I am very sensible of your kindness in offering me consolation and in urging me to call upon you and I will do so as soon as it will be in my power and will write to apprize you of the Time.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated March the 1st, he writes—'It is true I have been greatly afflicted. But by the Mercy of God My poor Brother suffered but little in his last Moments. Indeed I may say—no pain, from the disorder by which he had been afflicted and his mind was at ease and full of confidence in the Mercy of the Almighty.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated March 6th he writes—'I am concerned to learn that you are not well.'
"In the Duke's next letter he, after dating it March 15th, 1845, reports how occupied he is, adding; 'I regret exceedingly to learn that you are still unwell. But hope that we shall have moderate weather usual at this season, which will soon recruit your health.'"
London, April 18th, 1845.
My dear Miss J.,—I will give you an answer to your Note of the 17th just now received because my attention has just now been drawn to two paragraphs in the Morning Post, stating that I was taken ill in the House of Lords last night. I was last night and am at this moment thank God! as well as I ever was.
The truth is this. A Noble Lord, well known to be blind was standing on the floor near the place where I was sitting. I arose, gave him the assistance of my Arm and conducted him towards the door till I met another person who took charge of him.
That is the whole Story!
I returned to my place where I sat and took part in the discussion going on till the House adjourned.
A man called at my door to enquire how I was at eleven, not at twelve o'clock. The answer was. He is quite well, not, He is convalescent.
Ever Yours most faithfully,Wellington.
"The next letter from the Duke is dated April 21st, 1845, in which he replies to an enquiry I had made in a former Note or letter as follows; 'You did not see me in Piccadilly on Saturday the 19th. I was not in the Street on that day except to cross it on Horseback from my own House to the Park.'
"The Duke's next letter is dated May 8th wherein he writes; 'I have received and thank you for all your letters; the truth is that it takes me a long time to peruse them and I am obliged to do so by daylight, which I have not at command of sufficient duration to finish the whole that I have to read at one time.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated May 28th he writes—'The truth is that nobody can tell the amount of business which I have to transact who should not be a witness of my constant and unremitting exertions, and the degree in which my time is occupied. Thank God that I have health to perform all that is required.'
"Again in the Duke's letter dated May 30th he writes—'The truth is that my occupation in the service of the Public is incessant from one week's end to the other. It is not given to Man to be in two places at the same time and I have scarcely time for Rest—none for recreation or amusement even social.'
"In the Duke's next letter dated June 5th he writes 'My time is really so much employed as to have none for either repose or meals. We are now at the 5th of June. I have dined but twice since the 29th of May, although in perfect Health. I have scarcely time for Repose as you will see when I tell you that I returned home this morning only at half past four.'
"I knew that the Duke could find time to go to parties, etc, etc, therefore I considered such letters as mine ought not to be laid aside in silence, more especially as he was continually implying he meant to call upon me, but never did, so thus keeping my mind in suspense and expectation. This doubtless The Lord of lords in His infinite wisdom did not see fit to gratify, knowing far better what is good for us than we do for ourselves. Otherwise HE could and would have compelled him to come to me daily, whatever his occupations may have been.
"The Duke's next letter is dated June 7th, wherein he writes—'Besides being very good, you must admit that patience under disappointment is required from us all. That is all I ask from you.'
"Which I suppose sprang from my expressing disappointment at not seeing the Duke, little imagining that the Lord of lords had decreed he should never call again, knowing far better what is good for us than we do for ourselves. O that His Holy Name may be magnified throughout for His blessed Holy Name's Sake!
"In the Duke's next letter he writes at its conclusion, having dated it June 16th 1845 'I am quite well, thank God! notwithstanding the constant fatigue which I endure.'
"The next letter in due course from the Duke is dated June 27th, 1845, wherein he writes—'I am very sensible of your kindness in writing. I am anxious that you should recollect that if I omit to acknowledge the receipt of, and to thank you for the receipt of your letters regularly it is because I really have not leisure time. I assure you that since last Sunday I have dined only once, and that was on Wednesday. I thank God that I preserve my health and strength; and am really as strong as I was twenty-two years ago, but have not leisure time for social occupations of any description.'
"In the next letter from the Duke, dated July 14th, he writes; 'I have received from you letters of the 9th and 13th Inst. since I wrote last, for which I return my best thanks. I hope that the rainy weather will not prevent you from receiving the benefit which you expected to derive from your residence near the Sea.' Again the Duke writes in his next letter, dated July 17th; 'The weather still continues unpleasant but I hope that your residence by the Sea will be beneficial.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated July 23rd, he writes—'I have received several letters from you lately, for which I return my grateful thanks. I only regret that I have not leisure to answer them punctually. I have not been able to dine for the last two days but I am quite well, thank God!'
"The next letter from the Duke is dated July the 26th, wherein he writes—'I return thanks for all your letters; I am very sensible of your kindness in writing to me and I am very happy to find that you think of returning to London.'
"The next letter from the Duke, dated Aug. 12th, refers to letters being rightly stamped, adding—'Your remedy is very simple—take care not to send a letter that is overweight. If you write one that is upon so much paper as that one Stamp will not be sufficient, put half the paper in one cover and half in the second or put two or three stamps on the same cover. I have likewise received back some letters written to you, notwithstanding that I invariably myself direct and stamp the letters addressed to you. I am really ashamed of giving you so much trouble.'
"In the Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 13th, he writes—'It is true that my public duties render it necessary for me to move to a distant part of the Country—I cannot complain. But it is the fact, that at a period of life at which other Men are seeking Repose, every moment of my time should be as it is, occupied by National duties which require my constant attendance and all my attention, and render me unfit for social duties and incapable of performing them.'
"In the next letter of the Duke's, dated Aug. 14th, he writes 'I write only one line to acknowledge the receipt of and thank you for your letter of the 13th which reached me last night. I am really very much concerned that my public duties and the attention which I am under the necessity of paying to their performance render me unfit for social life. I really have not leisure time for visits, scarcely to write. I am under the necessity of going out of Town this afternoon.'
"In his next letter, dated Aug. 19th, the Duke writes—'I perceive again that I must be very cautious to cross my t's and put dots to my i's and not omit an expression which I may ever have used or to make use of one which may be unusual lest I should again give offence.'
"Judging by the Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 23rd, I had begun to fear I should never see the Duke again, for he writes—'It has often occurred to me that you do not read my letters and that at all Events you pay but little attention to their Contents—If you had perused these letters and had believed what I wrote, you could not have asked this question. However I answer it—I do intend to go to see you whenever I can find time; that is, when my occupations in the Service of the Public will give me leisure for the performance of any Social duty or the pursuit of any relaxation, amusement or pleasure.'
"The Duke's next letter, dated Aug. 29th, conveys an impression that I had felt hurt at something written, as he writes 'I did not think it possible that I should ever write one word that could hurt your feelings and I sincerely beg your pardon.' The next letter from the Duke is dated Oct. 9th, 1845, wherein he thanks me for my letters and adds 'I am much obliged about your enquiries about my Health. I am quite well thank God! though much fatigued by hard work.'
"The next and the last letter of this year from the Duke is dated Dec. 3rd, wherein he writes; 'I assure you that I am very sensible of your continued kindness. I have not written to acknowledge the receipt of your letters and to thank you for them, as I really have not had time, having been so much occupied in the public Service. When I write to you I am sensible that I must not omit a word or a letter. The feeling that such omission will give you offence is alone an impediment, therefore I hope that you will excuse me.'"
