DEATH OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 707, 22 January 1853, Page 3

DEATH OF THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.

Walmer, Wednesday Evening, Sept. 14. The sudden decease of his Grace the Duke of Wellington took place yesterday afternoon, at a quarter past three o'clock It was on Monday morning that the noble Duke last took open-air exercise by walking out in the environs of the Castle. Up to the morning of Tuesday his Graced health continued to all appearance in its usual satisfactory state, considering his advanced age. The Duke retired to rest on Monday night quite well, and in his customary good spirits. It is believed that he passed a comfortable night. At all events he did not summon his attendant to wait upon him. On Tuesday morning his valet called him, as usual, between six and seven o'clock, but the Duke dm not rise to dress ; and after the lapse of about an hour, the valet's attention was aroused by a sound resembling faint moaning-; issuing from his master's chamber. He thereupon went into his Grace's room, when the Duke, who had not left his bed, inquired if his apothecary (Mr. Hulke, of Deal) lived near, and directed that that gentleman should be sent for,as he(the Duke) wished to see him. This was the first intimation received by any member of the household that his Grace felt indisposed. The intelligence was immediately communicated to Lord and Lady Charles Wellesley, who occupied adjacent apartments in the Castle, and they at once proceeded to his Grace's chamber, where they remained with him constantly until he breathed his last. In the meantime a groom had been despatched for Mr. Hulke, who arrived at half-past eight or a quarter to nine. Mr. Hulke found his Grace suffering from an epileptic fit of rather violent character, somewhat similar to the attack which the Duke experienced several years ago ; and no serious apprehensions were at that time entertained as to his safety. Mr. Hulke, therefore, left the Castle for the purpose of preparing some medicines to adr minister to his Grace in the hope that they would afford him effectual relief; but during his absence, the noble Duke grew wqrse, and it was necessary to send for Dr. Macarthur, of Walmer, his regular medical attendant. Mr. Hulke and his son (who also belongs to the medical profession)]

speedily returned, when an emetic was admin is-J tered to the noble patient, but unfortunately! without any good result. The Duke's conditions gradually became more dangerous ; he was seized! with a second convulsive fit of greater violence! than the first; and the alarm of his son and| daughter-in-law, Lord and Lady Charles Wel-I lesley, painfully increased. At this critical emer-1 gency a messenger was despatched to the telegraphl office at the Deal railway station, for the purpose of immediately summoning Dr. Hume from London to his Grace's assistance. In case Dr. Hume should be absent from town, the message specified that Dr. Ferguson should be next applied to ; but, unfortunately, it so happened that these eminent physicians were in Scotland when the message reached their residences. This failure having been reported to the noble inmates of the Castle, Lord Clanwilliam (Captain of Deal Castle,) recommended that Dr. Williams of London should be summoned to Walmer. Dr. Williams was accordingly telegraphed for from Deal; and set off to the South-Eastern railway station at London Bridge to take the trein. He did not reach Deal, however, in time for his services to be of any avail. The noble Duke's state became gradually more perilous; and he suffered a third attack, still more severe than the preceding ones. When the members of his family and his medical attends ants spoke to him, he appeared to be consciouthat they were adrdessing him, and attempted to articulate a reply. His answers, however, were not distinct enough to be intelligible ; and, indeed, not a syllable that he uttered from the moment when ordered his apothecary to be sent for, could be understood. About three o'clock he had a fourth and final attack, of redoubled intensity, which rendered him perfectly insensible, and ultimately carried him off at the hour above stated, The painful intelligence was immediately transmitted by submarine telegraph to his Grace's eldest son, the Marquis of Douro, who is now staying with his family in Germany. It is believed that the noble Marquis is at Frankfort, since the last communication received from him was dated from that place. Until his arrival, nothing will be decided respecting the interment of the remains of his illustrious and lamented father ; but there can be little doubt that they will, in the first instance, be removed to Apsley House. The noble Duke had, on the day of his death, an appointment to meet the Countess of Westmoreland at Dover, on her return to Vienna, for the purpose of seeing her on board the packet which was to take her across the straits to the Continent; but information was conveyed to the Countess at an early hour that illness would prevent his Grace from fulfilling his engagement. The Countess received the intelligence with great concern, and drove over last evening from Dover to Walmer, to ascertain the nature of the noble Duke's ailment, when she learned the sad intelligence that his Grace was no more. The quiet village of Walmer and also the adjacent town of Deal, have experienced a most painful sensation at the melancholy event. Yes terday all the shops in both places were partially closed ; and the flags at every public building, at Deal Castle, and at various other elevated points, were lowered half-mast high in token of reverence for the memory of the departed. At Dover, likewise, the mournful tidings excited similar manifestations ; and from the Castle Keep, from the Admiralty station, the Harbour-house, the Pilothouse, &c., the union-jack dropped, half-struck, as a symbol of public woe.

Seldom has there heen witnessed in London such a feelingof regret, save on the death of a Sovereign, is was evinced when the news was circulated that the illustrious Duke was no more. Ships and vessels of all nations, from the large Indiaman or trader to the small coasters or collier, all dropped their colours half-mast high. From the pier-heads of St. Katherine's, London, East and West India Docks, the flags were also dropped, as well as from the numerous large factories and other establishments on the hanks of the Thames. The large fleet of steamers belonging to the General Steam INavigation Company were amongst the first to Idrop their colours from the fore, main, and mizen; and ere the morning had far advanced scarcely a craft was seen going up or down without displaying the emblem of mourning. At the Trinity House, on the death of the Master of this Honourable Corporation being Ijommunicated to the Elder Brethren, they at once lirected the usual partial closing of the establishnents on Tower-hill and Deptford, and the misting of the colours half-mast high at the Trinity Stores, at Blackwall, and other parts of the coast. A similar mark of respect was ex» hibited at the different lighthouses and ships as soon as the intelligence reached them. The different offices of the Tower Garrison and depot were partially closedonthe intelligence being received of the death of his Grace, who for some I years had held the important office of Constable of the Tower of London. The bell of St. Peter and Vincula, the church of the fortress, was tolled at intervals during the day. Throughout the provinces the same sensation ! was produced. At Liverpool and Manchester the \ tidings caused a general feeling of depression. \ The flags on the various public buildings were lowered, and the shutters of many of the shops closed, in testimony of respect to the late Duke,