COMPARATIVE CALM.
The next letter is copied from the original:
London, June 28, 1836.
The Duke of Wellington presents his Comps to Miss J. The Duke has this morning received her very kind Letter of yesterday for which he returns His thanks. The Duke begs leave again to assure Miss J. that whatever may be the form in which he writes to her; the motive in doing so is the same as ever; and that he is ever sensible of and grateful for her kindness.
The Duke will with the greatest pleasure go to see her whenever it may suit Miss J. to receive him.
The Duke did not say anything upon the Letter which Miss J. had written to the Gentleman in question because he was unwilling to obtrude His opinion upon a matter which Miss J. considers one of Duty; in which the Duke is so unfortunate as to differ in opinion with her.
Prudence and Discretion would appear to require that Miss J. should not rebuke a Gentleman for words spoken not to Her; not even in Her Presence; but to Her Landlady in the relation of a Lodger in the House.
The Duke may be wrong. But he considers the exercise of Prudence and discretion virtues; not unbecoming to any Character however exalted.
The Diary continues:—
"Judging by the contents of the Duke's next letter dated June 29th, 1836, I presume I had felt from circumstances under the necessity of putting aside his proposed visit adverted to in his last, as follows 'The Duke will with the greatest pleasure go to see her whenever it may suit Miss J. to receive him'—for in this of the 29th he writes—'I cannot but concur in your decision to postpone to receive my visit. Nothing would distress me more than to give you any pain. I sincerely hope that your journey to the Country will reestablish your health and spirits.'