THE DUKE'S LAST RETREAT.
SOME documents have been published this week which establish the important historical fact that the Great Captain has been hunted—hunted from pillar to post by one or two Scotch clergy- men and a provost, associated under the name of "the Deputation from Paisley." The nrst paper of the series is missing : it con- sisted of a letter from the Deputation soliciting an interview. The Duke's reply is dated "Wollner Castle, October 26": briefly informs the Deputation, that "being out of town, it ts impossible for him to find time to receive the Deputation." The startling non-sequitur was obviously meant as a punning hint to. the Deputation, that the Duke was not to be followed. The noble chase, however, was indiscreet enough to return to cover at Apsley House. The Deputation caught the scent again, and immediately burst into full cry, with a note requesting the favour_ of an interview to submit a subscription-list and give information regarding the condition of "that unfortunate portion of her Majesty's subjects." The Duke answered thus— London, October 30th.
"F. M. the Duke of Wellington presents his compliments to the member, of the Deputation from Paisley. "It is true that the Duke returned to town the night before last, in orderto attend at Buckingham House, when her Majesty will be confined. " The Duke's time has been and will be much occupied while he will be in London, and he must again decline to receive the visit of the Deputation from Paisley. " Be pays every attention it is in his power to give to the distresses at Paisley as well as elsewhere. "A meeting to discuss them is not necessary in order to draw his attention to these distresses, and his other occupations render it necessary that he should. decline to receive the Deputation. "He begs the Deputation to observe, that he is not in the Queen's political service—that he does not fill any political office, and exercises no power or authorit)." "He is not in the Queen's political service"! It puzzled the public at one time to know what post the Duke really did Min the Government : his Grace has now supplied the desired information : he has no bureau—he is not in the Queen's political service; but, it now appears by the marked antithesis in the note between this dis- claimer and the avowed occasion of his coming to town and of his preoccupation, he is in the Queen's obstetrical service. Of course he must have been very busy; but then the poor Deputation had no notion that they were pursuing a monthly nurse instead of a minister. They were to blame, however, for renewing their im- portunities when they discovered the nature of the Duke's engage- ments: they still held out their subscription-list; and were indis- creet enough to remind the Duke, as a refutation of his disclaimer, that he had declared in the House of Lords that "he would take on himself the responsibility of advising her Majesty to prorogue Parliament." What then ? what does that prove ? what will not a monthly nurse elect not take upon herself to advise ? The Depu- tation, in repeating their entreaty for an interview, promised not to trouble him with any party-views: perhaps they thought he might be afraid lest his famous assertion that every industrious Englishman can earn a competency should meet with uncere- monious refutation at their hands ; perhaps they thought that he was ashamed to meet them on that account. The Duke visited them with condign disregard—be sent no answer. He did not even glance at the extended subscription-list ; which proves that he still retains his opinion that any industrious Englishman can se- cure a competency.
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