to "the prayers of worthy persons, the good fortune and success, which it has pleased the Almighty God to grant him." And to her teaching we may attribute the fact, that when infidelity was so fashionable, as it was unhappily about the time of the French Revolution, he had the courage not only to avow himself a Christian, but to rebuke others for laughing at religion, as the following anecdote will prove:-Soon after Colonel Wellesley went out to India he heard a young officer at the mess talking in a very sceptical manner, and scoffing at the Bible. He looked very grave during this conversation, and afterwards requested to speak to the young man. He told him that his remarks were indecorous, and that it would be seriously injurious to him if he persevered in such conduct; that he was probably quite ignorant of the subject on which he was speaking. He then advised him to inform himself upon it, and said he would send him some books which he wished him to read carefully. In the evening, Paley's Evidences of Christianity were sent by Colonel Wellesley, and to that conversation and that present, this officer, who afterwards became an eminent Christian, dated his first deep impressions of religion.*

Very recently the duke declared, that his Bible had been his constant companion in all his campaigns.

Here, then, was the spring of that free forgive

Related by the officer himself to a friend of the writer.

ness of his enemies which he so constantly displayed, and which he expressed in those memorable words: "When war is concluded, I am decidedly of opinion that all animosity should be forgotten."*

* Despatches.

CHAPTER II.

Irish Secretaryship-Defence of Governor-General-Attack on Copenhagen-Spanish Treaty with the French Emperor-He takes Lisbon-Revolt in Madrid-and the Provinces-Sir A. Wellesley sent to Portugal-Proclamation-Battles of Rolica and Vimiero-Sir A. Wellesley superseded-Testimonial of British Officers-Convention of Cintra-Recal of English Generals-Court Martial-Sir A. Wellesley's Defence-Thanks of the Parliament-State of Spain-Army from the BalticNapoleon's Address-His Army-Arrival at Vitoria-His Generals-Disposition of Armies-Defeats of the SpaniardsMadrid surrenders - Sir John Moore - Retreat- Battle of Corunna Death-Victories of the French-State of the Peninsula.

AFTER an absence of nine years, Major-General Wellesley arrived in England, in September, 1805. The fame of his Indian campaigns had been instrumental in checking the power of Napoleon, who gave him the insulting title of "the Sepoy General."

For several years he remained at home, being employed as a commander of the troops at Hastings, and a member of Parliament for Rye. He was afterwards appointed Chief Secretary for Ireland. He married, in 1806, Catherine, third daughter of the Earl of Longford, by whom he had two sons, Arthur, Marquis of Douro, and Charles, Lord Wellesley.

General Wellesley's first public act was the defence in Parliament of his brother, the GovernorGeneral of India, whose conduct, notwithstanding his distinguished services there, had been called in question.

After long debates, the business terminated in the following resolution: "That it appears to this house, that Marquess Wellesley, in his arrangements in the province of Oude, was actuated by an ardent zeal for the service of his country, and an anxious desire to promote the safety, interests, and prosperity of the British empire in India."

In his office in Ireland, General Wellesley fulfilled its arduous duties with singular judgment and moderation, and he established a system of police, which was highly advantageous to the country.

In the year 1807, he was again called upon to take up arms, in an expedition against the Danes, to seize their navy, in order to prevent Napoleon from availing himself of it, and shutting up the Baltic.

This undertaking was eminently successful, and the thanks of both Houses of Parliament were voted to General Wellesley, and the other officers employed in it, on their return. The Speaker thus distinguished Major-General Sir Arthur Wellesley: "But I should indeed be wanting to the full expression of those sentiments which animate this house, and the whole country, if I forebore to notice, that

THANKS OF HOUSE.

31

we are on this day crowning with our thanks one gallant officer, long since known to the gratitude of this House, who has long trodden the paths of glory, whose genius and valour have already extended our fame and empire; whose sword has been the terror of our distant enemies, and will not now be drawn in vain to defend the seat of empire itself, and the throne of his king. I am, Sir Arthur Wellesley, charged to deliver the thanks of the House to you, and I do accordingly thank you, in the name of the Commons of the United Kingdom, for your zeal, intrepidity, and exertion, displayed in the various operations which were necessary for conducting the siege, and effecting the surrender of the navy and arsenal of Copenhagen."

A foal was brought from Copenhagen on this occasion, which was called after that city, and became afterwards distinguished as the horse which carried our hero, for eighteen hours, during the memorable battle of Waterloo.

After this time, Sir Arthur Wellesley again returned to his duties as Secretary for Ireland, where he prepared plans for the building of proper houses and churches for the Protestant clergy, and for enforcing their residence in their parishes. Though the plans which he carried out raised him many enemies, yet one who knew him well said, "During his residence in Ireland, I did not hear one complaint against any part of his conduct, either as a public or private man."*

* Sir Jonah Barrington.