he middle ages,"
in his splendid speech on church extension, at Freemasons' Hall a
few days ago. And allow me to add, my dear sir, with the utter
frankness which I cannot divest myself of, that what you seem to
me to stand the most in need of at present, is a deeper and more
original knowledge of the laws and events of Catholic Europe.

Then come others, recalling illustrious names and famous events in English
history. There are a dozen letters of business (1837-1846) from the Duke
of Wellington. The reader may be curious to see the earliest communication
between two such men--

_London, Nov. 27, 1837._--I have by accident mislaid the petition
from the Cape of Good Hope, if it was ever sent me. But I shall be
happy to see you and converse with you upon the subject; and
consider whether it is desirable or possible that I can bring the
subject before the consideration of the House of Lords at the same
time that you will in the H. of C. I would propose to you to come
here, or that I should go to you to-morrow, Tuesday, at any hour
you will name.--I have the honour to be, dear sir, your most
faithful, humble servant,

WELLINGTON.(335)

Once he uses his well-known laconic style--

_Strathfieldsaye, January 3, 1842._--F. M. the Duke of Wellington
presents his compliments to Mr. Gladstone. He has received Mr.
Gladstone's letter of the 1st inst. He begs leave to decline to
interfere in any manner in the matter to which Mr. Gladstone's
letter refers.

What the matter was we cannot tell; but we may guess that it was perhaps
less tersely propounded. The rest touch military affairs in the colonies,
and are now of no concern.

Here we have a last vision of one of the forlorn shadows of ruined power:--

_Chislehurst, le 5 Juillet, 1871._--Monsieur le Ministre, j'ai recu
la copie du nouveau Ballot bill que votre excellence a bien voulu
m'envoyer et je profite de cette occasion pour vous dire combien
je suis touche des marques d'attention que je recois en
Angleterre. Je vous prie de recevoir l'assurance de mes sentimens
de haute estime.

NAPOLEON.

Notes from and to his illustrious adversary in the stirring arena of
public life are not without a delicate accent of pathos and sincerity. The
first was on some occasion of Mrs. Disraeli's illness,(336) the second on
her death:--

_Nov. 20, 1867._--I