Traits of the Iron Duke.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1695, 24 July 1875, Page 5 (Supplement)

Traits of the Iron Duke.

I can remember well the time when the Duke of Wellington returned to England after his brilliant campains, crowned by the battle of Waterloo; at that time he was cheered by the people wherever he went, and lauded to the skies. Afterward, at the period of the reform bill, the fickle people forgot all his services, and constantly hooted him in the streets. On one day, coming from the Tower on horseback, the mob attacked him with so much virulence and malice, that he was exposed to considerable personal danger in the street. It was in that year, at a ball given by him at Apsley House to King William IV. and his queen, when the mob were very unruly and indecent in their conduct at the gates; and on the following days they proceeded to such excesses that they broke tbe windows of Apsley House, and did much injury to his property. It was then that he caused to be put up those iron blinds to his windows, which remain to this day as a record of tbe people's ingratitude. Sometime afterward, when he had regained all his popularity, and began to enjoy that great and high reputation which he carried to the grave, he was riding up Constitution hill, in the park, followed by an immense mob, who were cheer--ing him in every direction ; he heard it all with the most stoical indifference, never jDUtting his horse out of a walk, or seeming to regard them, till he leisurely arrivedat Apsley House, when he stopped at the gate, turned round to the rabble, and then pointing with his finger to the iron blinds which still closed the windows, he made them a sarcastic bow, and entered the. court without saying a word. Some years ago, it was proposed to him to purchase a farm in the neighbourhood of Strathfieldsaye, which lay contiguous to his estate, and was therefore a valuable aquisition, to which he assented. When the purchase was completed the steward congratulated him upon having had such a bargain, as the seller was in difficulties, and forced to part with it. ' What do you mean by a bargain ?' said the Duke; the other replied 'It was valued at £1,100, and we have got it for £800.' 'In that case,' said the Duke, 'you will please to carry the extra £300 to the late owner and never talk to me of cheap land again.' — Thomas Bailees in the latest Bric-a-Brae.