The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1845-05-24
The sigaers Of the Declaration.

THE DUKE AND Mas. MAJOR GENERAL
-.-Mrs. Major -, or Mrs. Major General
-, we know not which, took il into her head
that she ought to see the Duke of Wellington on
some matter that interested her, She made NOM
ing call at the Apsey House, and was informed
that his Grace was rusticating at Strathleid'aye'
Forthwith "four barbed steeds from the Bulls
Head" as George Coleman has it, were appended
to her travelling carriage, and at the close of a
summers afternoon saw her at the end Of the long
avenue OF trees Che finest, by the by, IN Engand)
and at the very vestibule of Strathtieldsaye.
Il wish to see the Duke. Take up my card
am Mrs. MAJOR General -
i have no ORDERS, said the porter, and the
Duke sees no one who has not previously written
to him.
.Oh nonsense!' replied the lady, descending
from her carriage, ard with stately bearing and
the nonchaent impudence of fashion, she fairly
pooh, po0hed, the porter, and, passing him, enter
ed the mansion.
She had crossed the noble hall, and was advanc-
ing up the grand staircase, when page "a sta'd
man, called a page at strathfeldsaye, on the same
principle that veteran jockeys of seventy years are
called post-boys) placed himself before her, with
the question, MAY take the liberty, madam, of
asking who you want to see"
.oh, want TO see the Duke; must see the
Duke, l have very particular business with his
Grace. My name is Mrs, -. the lady OF Major
General -. Take my card; the Duke will see
ne instantly
sYou must excuse me, madam was the polite
reply, but my instructions are imperative must
request you to retire and write to his Grace
'Oh, dear, no; certainly not shall go on now
! am here; am determined 10 find my way TO his
Grace
Then, madam, shall be compelled to obstruct
your passage
Much more such conversation cnsued. In vain
did the lady demonstrate, and Indignantly exclalm
at the inpossitity of pages turning Mrs. Major
Gener al - out of the house; but she went; and,
if the report says true the page was obliged to take
her gently by the shoulders and guide her to the
hall door.
The next morning post brought blazing letter
from the Major General -, and flaming one
from Mrs. Major General -, stating the afro
cious conduct of the page, and recommending his
punishment to his Grace'S consideration. A mill
tary execution, with Dead March in Saul, by the
band of the Horse Guards, (BIue.) and volley
ouer his grave was the only thought Of the lady.
The Maror General, who had witnessed the doing'
Of his Grace's provost marshal, on the march from
Toulouse to Paris, aud who knew the iron stern.
ness of the Dukes mind, looked forv ard to some
thing like page hanging on the elms Of Strath
feldsaye after the feudal fashion.
No sooner had his Grace received the letters
than the delinquent page was summoned to the
presence Of Napoleon'S conquerer. His heart sunk
within him as he entered the room. There was
an unspeakable calInness in the Dukes eye which
marked decisive step and that speedily.
so G--,yo refused admittance to Mrs Ma
jor General -, though she announced herself BY
name"
With half hesitation the page answered,
must acknowledge that did, your Grace, but
Nay, more than that. When Mrs Major Ge'
neral - refused 10 depart from my house at yo~