IV.—To J. H. M.
The packet of Wolfe's letters in my possession was never shown to Southey. They were discovered only three years ago. I believe Southey intended to write a memoir of Wolfe, but I am not aware that he carried his intentions into effect. The letters in my care were published in Tait's Edinburgh Magazine, December, 1849, under the title "Original Correspondence of General Wolfe." I shall feel obliged by any information you possess regarding the other collection of Wolfe's letters which you believe to exist. Pray, where are they to be seen?
Ȝ.
P.S.—Since expressing my acknowledgments to the other gentlemen who have kindly answered some of my inquiries respecting Wolfe, I have had the pleasure to peruse the information communicated by J. R. (Cork), and I beg to thank him for his courtesy. The sketch he has given of Wolfe's ancestors is very interesting, the more so, as J. R. mentions he is himself connected with Wolfe's family. Would J. R. be kind enough to supply information on the following additional points, viz.:
1. In which of the English counties did Captain George Wolfe, who escaped after the siege of Limerick, settle?
2. Was the son of this officer (father of General Edward Wolfe) also a military man, or a civilian; and what was his Christian name?
3. The birth-place of General Edward Wolfe, father of the hero of Quebec.
Answers to these Queries would connect some of the broken links in the history of one of the most gallant and skilful young generals that England ever entrusted with her armies.
Ȝ.
General Wolfe's executor was General Warde, of the family of Squerries, near Westerham, by whom the epitaph was written, which is now over the south door of Westerham church. General Warde's nephew and executor was General George Warde, who by that means became possessed of several very interesting objects, viz., an original portrait of Wolfe, representing him with his natural red hair. After some time the natural red was converted, by water colours, into a powdered wig; consequently a sponge and clean water would restore it to its original state. Another portrait of Wolfe painted after his death by West; he is represented sitting and consulting a plan of military operations. West has given him the same countenance in which he appears in the celebrated picture of his death. When West was offered the original portrait on which to form this picture, he declined making use of it, as he had already committed himself in the historical portrait, and it would not do for him to alter it, and send out in his name two different portraits. Gen. G. Warde also possessed Wolfe's short sword and black leather letter-case, and a collection of original letters; among which was one of much interest, where Wolfe, mentioning the flattering terms in which he was spoken of by the public and high military authorities, says, that unwarranted expectations were raised, and that to maintain his reputation he might be driven into some desperate undertaking.