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242

THE CHAPEL ROYAL.

with age, his body feeble, and his voice faint, the solitary worshipper of that God, who had so often shielded his head in the day of battle, and through his arm, delivered the British Empire, and its countless subjects, from invasion and overthrow. The sight struck us as particularly fine.

"On our entrance, the Psalms for the day were being read. The Duke took alternate verses with the clergyman. He spoke with an utterance that was thick and indistinct; and occasionally stammered a little, ere he got out a word; but still his voice filled the chapel.

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Although my friend and I habitually answered the responses, we felt that it would be more edifying that we should be silent worshippers. It struck us both that the Psalm was particularly appropriate. After our entrance it ran and was read thus:

"The Duke.-I will go forth in the strength of the Lord God: and will make mention of Thy righteousness only.

"Clergyman.-Thou, O God, hast taught me from my youth up until now: therefore, will I tell of Thy wondrous works.

"The Duke.-Forsake me not, O God, in mine old age, when I am grey-headed, until I have showed Thy strength unto this generation, and Thy power to all them that are yet for to come.

"Clergyman.-Thy righteousness, O God, is very high; and great things are they that Thou hast done. O God, who is like unto Thee?

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"The Duke.-O what great troubles and adversities Thou hast showed me, and yet didst Thou turn and refresh me, yea, and broughtest me from the deep of the earth again.

"Clergyman.-Thou hast brought me to great honour, and comforted me on every side.

"The Duke.-Therefore will I praise Thee, and Thy faithfulness, O God, playing upon an instrument of music: unto Thee will I sing unto the harp, and Thou Holy One of Israel.

"Clergyman. My lips will be fain when I sing unto Thee: and so will my soul whom Thou hast delivered.

"The Duke.-My tongue also shall talk of Thy righteousness all the day long: for they are confounded and brought unto shame, that seek to do me evil.

"Clergyman.-Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

"The Duke.-As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen."

CHAPTER VIII.

The Summary-The Duke's characteristics contrasted with other Conquerors-French estimate of his worth-His death-Public testimonials-Lord Derby's Letter-Inscription on the plate of Coffin-Admission of the Public-Arrival of the body in London-The lying in state at Chelsea-Orders and Batons -The opening of Parliament-The Queen's Speech-Her Majesty's visit to Chelsea-Lord Brougham's and Lord Derby's Speeches-The Funeral Procession-The Services in St. Paul's-Conclusion-Address to the Children of England.

WE have now followed the great Duke through a long life—one filled, from an early age, with more stirring and important events than have ever perhaps occurred in the life of man—and it is impossible for any one to have carefully read his life, not merely looking at the incidents of it, but at the principles which influenced his actions, without rising from the perusal wiser and better;—more determined to live for a purpose, and to fulfil more earnestly and heartily whatever duties it may please God to appoint for them.

At the age of twenty-one the Duke was chosen a member of Parliament. Soon after that, entrusted with an important command in the burning clime of India, where, in the course of a few years, he changed the whole face of affairs in that vast

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empire, consolidated the power of England over it, and firmly established her in those possessions, which have ever since been the source of incalculable wealth.

From India he returned to England, where he was for a time employed in a different sphere, but still one in which he displayed the same energy which characterized all his engagements. Whatever his duty was, he did it heartily; and this was the secret of his success.

After a few years he was called to the mighty work for which God had specially raised him up, and nobly he fulfilled it. "He set his face like a flint," against danger, opposition, detraction, ingratitude. The object set before him was to deliver Europe from the most dreadful tyranny, to relieve oppressed nations from the yoke of a tyrant, and, above all, that which was dearest to his heart, to preserve his own beloved country from dangers within and without. The gifts with which he was endowed exactly qualified him to accomplish these ends: he possessed a clear, calm judgment, which was able to weigh and estimate difficulties; with an equal promptness to act upon a decision when once made; unflinching firmness in following out a purpose; undaunted courage in action; and that strong devotedness to duty that made him never turn to the right or the left to gain human applause, or to avoid human censure. If a plan failed, he was not discouraged when he felt "he had done all that he

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CONTRAST TO OTHER HEROES.

could;" the result was not in his hands. The foundation of this grand character was an intense love of truth, which led him, at all times, to show equal justice to friends or enemies. He abhorred deceit and falsehood in every shape. Another distinguishing feature in his character was reverence, without which no real elevation of mind can ever subsist; that deference to law and authority which made him, however conscious he must have felt of his own superiority, readily yield to those above him in rank-thus setting to his soldiers the example of that discipline which finally rendered his armies invincible. This love of law and order made him at once the most earnest patriot, and the most devoted and loyal of subjects. His great deeds were never sullied by ambition or the love of power; he never used his vast influence for the advancement of his own interest: there was a singleness of purpose in all that he did, which commanded that reverence and admiration which he never courted, but which were yielded to him from the humblest peasant to the mightiest

monarchs.

How striking the contrast, the history of this noble patriot affords, to that of other great conquerors. Alexander, Cæsar, and Napoleon overran empires to gratify their lust of conquest: Wellington subdued them, only to restore them to their lawful sovereigns.

His work, as a warrior, was completed at the

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