The Sun.
London, England, 1832-06-04 00:00:00

'rite. The outline of his countenance is hard
unintellectual, giving no evidence of the impres
sions of wisdom and experience. He is cun
njna, but not acute or profound ; quick in poll
deal tactics to discern an ambuscade, but inca-
pable of anticipating events or looking into poli.
rical futurity. Like Monk Duke of Albemarle.
his face is no key to his thoughts, " no play of
feature"—few words—slow speech—few share
his confidence—phlegmatic firmness—" mode-
rate abilities and less education." Resembling
'.
Monk, the Duke of Wellington has displayed
an utter and despicable want of political prin-
ciple. Monk alternately, to satiate his ambition,
sided with the Parliament, with Cromwell, with
the Rump, with the Cavaliers—pleading neces-
sity as his cold and hollow excuses. Thus the
Duke of Wellington one clay affected—that to
be Premier (in 1827) would be an act of lu-
nacy ; and speedily assumed the reins of Go-
vernment ! After a lunar month of bitter oppo-
sition by tongue and pen to Catholic Emancipa-
tion, he sprung a mine on his party, and with-
out consultation or concert carried the question
of his oldest, most bitter, and recent opposition.
Denouncing Lord Grey's Cabinet as anarchists
and revolutionists, and their measures as leading
to a total disorganization of the Constitution and
to Republicanism ; loading the Lords' Journals
with insane and idiotic protests, he offers him-
self up a sacrifice to " his beloved Monarch," to
carry the Bills of Reform, which had so lately
been the object of his factious and audacious
opposition ! And this is the man whom the
Conservatives, par excellence, denominate "
lustrious !" If political integrity yet exists,
what terms of indignation or contempt can por-
tray such political iniquity ? Can the reputa-
tion of any man survive such a disgracefhl and
scandalous suicide ? Can I\lachiavelian sophis-
try cloak such a rank imposture ? The Duke of
Wellington must be either a mere infant in poll-
! tics, or the veriest political charlatan that ever
pretended to play the character of a State Empiric.
He resembles Monk, of whom it was said on the
Restoration, "that he would have the doing of it,
or hinder it !" Again, the age of the Duke of Wel-
lington, coupled with his early and original pre-
judices, utterly unfits him for the office of a Mi-
nister and the emergency of the times. He is
" a man of the last generation." Bacon observes
of antiquated politicians, that " men of age sel-
dom drive business home to the full period."
His Grace is a bed-ridden politician. He has
been reared in the school of the feudal aristo-
cracy ; trained in the exclusive profession of
arms ; smothered in foreign diplomacy and the
game of Kings ; flattered by fawning sycophants
and Royal adulation. George IV.—disso-
lute, idle and physically indolent—leaned on his
public men, and courted the pomp and circum-
stance of any individuals raised to eminence and
party power. On the death of Mr. Canning the
Duke of Wellington was the last remaining sub-
ject of the old political regime. George IV.
made him a walking staff, and the Duke became,
in fact, a political Dictator. Further, the mili-
tary pr9fession of his Grace disqualified him as
a legislator. Great military commanders have
been ever small statesmen. Albemarle, Mar

borough, indeed the whole corps of Wellington
predecessors, have failed in the character and
parts of politicians. Sir George Murray, Sir
Henry Hardinge, and all the military subalterns
of the Duke, have in like manner exposed their
utter incapacity and insignificancy. Lord Sand-
wich told Pepys that " Marlborough would
sink." The same just prediction of the Duke
of Wellington was frequently made by men who
did not pretend to the gift, of prophecy ; and
down he has fallen, never to rise again. Arthur
Wellesley was launched into public life a page in
Dublin Castle—a hopeful school. At the age
of twenty-five he went abroad, in military ser-
vice. In 1797 he landed in British India, and
did not return to Europe till 1807. In 1808
he was again transported to Portugal ; in
1809 appointed Commander-in-Chief in Spain,
and continued in the Peninsula till 1814.
Till 1816 his Grace may be said to have lived
exclusively a foreign life. A soldier, thus ex-
patriated, must indeed be superhuman if he could
have acquired the mind, the knowledge, the ex-
perience, the habits of a Statesman. Utterly
ignorant of the people and the progress of
public opinion, he formed and conducted his Ad-
ministration on principles of stupidity and ig-
norance. Sir Robert Peel was his menial ser-

vant, and was broke on his chariot wheels. Can
we wonder at the result ? But it is the warrior
character of the Duke of Wellington which at-
tracts his Monarchs and partisans ; it is his fame,
and the overflowing rewards and honours heaped
on his " long calculating" head. Verily, the
Duke of Wellington, on this score, has a receipt
in full. We will not basely detract from his
hard and justly-earned repute as a British
General. Would to God that he had headed
the invincible troops of his country in the
cause of nations and of liberty instead of for
Kings and despotism ! He- has lived in a few
short years to see the political fabric of his mili-
tary powers prostrated and annihilated, and
yet a few years and he will outlive every vestige
of his conquests and diplomacy. But what are the
British People indebted to this Tory-idiot—to
this man, which has not been amply repaid in
national tribute and adulation ? Is there no
limit to popular gratitude—no possible requital
of his services ? Covered with British and
foreign honours and titles, with large pecuniary
rewards from every quarter of Europe, lie
scarcely knows his proper country. Four Peer-
ages in his family, and many more among his
favourites and companions in arms, has he not
enough political power without usurping the
Dictatorship of the Nation ? He acquired large
sums in India ; in 1809 Parliament voted him

an annuity of 2,000/. per annum ; in 1812 Par-
liament again voted him an annual increase of
2,0001. a year ; in the same year 100,0001. was
voted to him for the purchase of lands ; in 1814
the further sum of 400,0001. was voted to him ;
and after the battle of Waterloo 200,0001.
more ! ! !
'thus, therefore, the "cash account"
of his Grace the Duke of Wellington with his
grateful countrymen stands as follows :
Pensions out of Consolidated Fund £8,926
Constable of the Tower 950
238
Colonel of the Rifle Brigade
Colonel of the First Foot Guards 2,695
Lord Warden of Cinque Ports 295
Interest on Grants by Parliament :35,000
The " Illustrious Chairman" receives, therefore,
at least One Thousand Pounds Sterling per
Week of public money ! Is this vast and un-
paralleled pecuniary requital of military services
not sufficient without the salary of First Lord of