Wellesley, Arthur

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, August 1814

Your little Anecdotes of Emperors and he[r]oes [sic] were delectable. Yesterday I was able to receive in my bed chamber who had a Volume of information of the same kind to pour out. But Wellington is his hero. Whose is he not? I had not heard till he told me, that the Duke had the magnanimity as soon as he landed – after five Years of labours and fatigues and difficulties unparalled [sic], after 'hair breadth 'Scapes in the imminent deadly breach'^*– to offer to embark instantly for America if Government wished it! Was it not noble?

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 25 March [1815]

How menacing are the times! and how portentous the prospect! The iniquities of the Amorites^* are not yet full. Our own country wants sifting, and France a strong correction. – Poor ! killed, and her other hero sent again to oppose the Armed Banditti.^* It is well for us that the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. He who stilleth the waves can still the madness of the people; and can break the Rod of his anger when that rod has done its work.

To Lady Olivia Sparrow, 13 December [1815]

who has been with us, boasts much of some pleasant hours spent with you in Wales. He is a superior Man, brimful of information One of our best Orientalists. He is just returned from his second visit to the City of sin, whither he went to see his friend the Duke of Wellington.^* He is going again on a Mission about the French New Testament, which I am happy to say hi /a/ s /been/ circulated by many Priests, to the amount of three Editions. – I hope you have seen ’ excellent Article on ‘The Church in Danger’ in the last British Review.^* I am glad to find that valuable work is in high repute.