SHEIL AND THE DUKE OF WELLINGTON.
[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTLTOR.1
SIE,—The Spectator seldom trips so carelessly as it did last week in relating what Sheil said when he was told of "a debate in the House of Lords in which a Peer had spoken of Irishmen with disdain and contempt." What happened was this. Lord Lyndhurst had spoken of the Irish as "aliens." Sheil's comment was a speech in the House of Commons which can never be forgotten :—
" Aliens ! Good God, was Arthur, Duke of Wellington, in his place, and did he not start up and say: 'Hold ! I have seen these
aliens do their duty'? I appeal to the gallant soldier before me (Sir Henry Hardinge), from whose political opinions I differ, but who bears, I know, a generous heart in an intrepid bosom—tell me, for you must needs remember—on that day when the destinies of mankind were trembling in the balance, while
death fell in showers if for an instant the aliens blenched (At Waterloo) the blood of England, Scotland, and Ireland flowed in one stream, and drenched one field : when the chill morning dawned their dead lay cold and stark together : in one deep pit their bodies are deposited : the young corn springs from their commingled dust Partakers in the peril, in the glory shall they be forbidden to participate, and shall they be told they were aliens from that nation for whose salvation their life-blood was poured out ? "
There are variations of phrase, but this is the version I have. It is even better worthy of preservation than the exclamation given in your article.—I am, Sir, &c.,
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