However unsatisfactory the omission of the name of England's most illustrious captain from a work of this nature might appear, it is yet quite true that little relating to the boyhood of the greatest soldier of the age is recorded, — and that little not very distinctly. Even the precise date and place of his birth are matters of dispute.

The most probable account appears to be, that Arthur Wellesley, son of the Earl of Mornington, who derived some celebrity from his musical compositions, was horn at Dangan Castle, in the county of Meath, sometime in March, 1769, and baptized, in the City of Dublin, on the 30th of the following month; when he was named after his maternal grandfather, Lord Dungannon.

The earliest years of the mighty warrior's existence passed, in all likelihood, between his father's country and town residences. The former had anciently been the frowning fortress of some Norman lord of the Irish soil, and might possibly have suggested martial aspirations to his young brain; while it is not unreasonable to imagine his eyes twinkling with wonder and delight, when carried to witness military pageants or viceregal ceremonies in the beautiful and pleasantly-situated capital at the mouth of the Liffey.

But whatever impressions might thus be conveyed to his senses, awakening from the dream of infancy, it is stated that, having been removed to England at an early age, he was placed under the care and instruction of a clergyman at Chelsea, and that he was then in possession of very indifferent health. While there he displayed little or no enthusiasm for puerile sports, and showed no signs of joy or satisfaction when released from the toilsome duties required of him in the school. On the contrary, when his comrades sallied forth, with merry shout, to exercise their nimble limbs and buoyant spirits with exciting gambols, he came into the playground at a slow and lagging pace, taking no active part in the stirring scenes enacted. His occupation at such times was, whilst leaning his back against a large spreading tree in the centre, to observe quietly and meditatively the actions of his schoolfellows; ever marking, keenly and scrupulously, where anything like unfairness was practised. On occasions when any attempt was made to force him to take part in the amusements, he was ready to fight, with courage and energy, even against odds, rather than be moved from his steady resolution.

When he had attained his twelfth year his father died, and the family became dependent for guidance on the care and judgment of a mother whose natural abilities were, fortunately, such as to render her not unequal to the important task of rearing warriors and statesmen.

About this period, the incipient hero and his elder brother, afterwards distinguished as the Marquis Wellesley, spent some time in North Wales. While there it is related, that the former fought a tough battle, and sustained a humiliating defeat, from a valiant school-girl two years younger than himself. It seems that, when rambling about the lanes, the Wellesleys had met a boy who belonged to the neighbourhood, returning from school in company with his sister. The latter, leaving her brother to encounter the doughty Arthur in a game of marbles, walked onward, but was suddenly recalled, ere she was out of sight, to vindicate the right of the young Welsh imp to some of the playthings, about which a quarrel had arisen. The little virago indignantly returned to the scene of action; a fierce struggle ensued; and the contest resulted in the future conqueror of Napoleon confessing that he was worsted, yielding up the marbles at stake, and evacuating the lost field with tears in his eyes.

After his withdrawal from the seminary at Chelsea, the Duke was sent to Eton, where he is reported to have been an active and spirited boy; though, in many respects, shy and contemplative. There he was again obliged to engage in personal conflict; but, luckily, this time with a schoolfellow, and with signal and encouraging success. He must now have been rather fond and full of fun. At all events, a ludi-crous anecdote is told of himself and his brother inventing a startling story of their sister having run off with the footman, and palming it, with boyish humour, upon a credulous female relative, of aristocratic rank and gossiping habits, with whom they were spending the holidays in Shropshire.

His residence at Eton, which was not of long duration, was succeeded by a course of private tui-tion at Brighton. From the latter place he was taken to accompany his mother on the occasion of her going abroad; but finding him rather troublesome in the travelling carriage, she dropped him at Douay, on the river Scarpe, where there was a military school and an arsenal. Indeed the town which had been taken by Marlborough in 1710, was extensively fortified, and there was much about it to inspire him with a taste for warlike scenes and operations. Lady Mornington, after this separation, did not see her son for two years; and on her return to England, accidentally recognising him at the Hay market Theatre, she exclaimed, with maternal flutter, "I do believe there is my ugly boy."

Meantime lie appears to have been sent for instruction to the military institution at Angers, in France; where he studied for six years, without displaying any promise of mighty or memorable achievements. Indeed his inferiority is said to have been the cause of no small concern to his surviving parent, and to have in some degree influenced her in selecting for him the profession which he lived to adorn so gloriously. Nevertheless it should be recollected in his favour, that as it was, in after life, a favourite maxim of the great Duke, that "ho who wishes to have anything done well must do it himself,"he may then have been, on this principle, devoting his mind silently, but steadily and successfully, to the acquirements of professional knowledge and scientific skill. In any case it is admitted that he derived considerable benefit from the discipline he now underwent, and carried a fair share of intelligence with him into the 73d Regiment of Foot, when he received his first commission as ensign in 1787. For the next few years he made such frequent exchanges, that no regiment can well claim the high distinction of having formed his character as a soldier, till he obtained his majority in the 33d, which he commanded in the early stages of his active career, and which has since been considered, in a great measure, identified with his fame.

On coming of age, he had been returned as a member of the Irish Parliament, but while holding a seat gave no indications of being cast in the heroic mould. Neither could he have fed his mind with any of those fascinating visions which have led many to indulge, with profit, in high hopes and bright dreams. Any idea of his having cherished such proud aspirations is rudely put to flight by the statement of his having applied to a Lord Lieutenant of Ireland for a Commissionership of Customs. But whatever clouds and darkness rested on his prospects when he was spending his time inactively, were speedily cleared away by the exercise of his iron will and undaunted determination, when the appointed season arrived for action and the display of his noble qualities.

In 1794, being then in command of his regiment, he embarked for service on the Continent, whore the

Duke of York was ineffectually struggling, and began to learn, under most adverse circumstances, those practical lessons which produced fruits so happy and glorious. In 1797 he landed at Calcutta, and entered on his career of unrivalled success in the East. His extraordinary foresight, his stern sense of duty, and aptitude for military affairs, bore him triumphantly onwards; and in 1807, having already perseveringly earned for himself a major-generalship, knighthood, and the thanks of Parliament, he was worthily entrusted with the military command of the expedition to Copenhagen. In 1808 he was, fortunately for the interests of liberty and order, ap-pointed to command in chief in the Peninsula, and with an army, which he was all the time forming defeated the French at Vimiera; next year at Tala vera, having meantime effected the passage of the Douro; and, shortly after, at Busaco. In 1812 he captured Ciudad Rodrigo, Badajoz, and Madrid, and won the battle of Salamanca. In 1813 he defeated the French at Vittoria, Orthes, and Tou-louse; and in 1815 he victoriously brought the terrible conflict, which had lasted for twenty-two years, to a termination on the field of Waterloo.

Honours had already flowed upon him in rich abundance; his services had raised him to ducal rank, and secured him popular esteem; and ha survived long to enjoy the peace which his genius and energy had brought about.

During the remaining years of the Duke's life he acted a conspicuous and patriotic part in political affairs. Though possessed of immense influence in Parliament, his warmest admirers must admit that he was somewhat less at home in the cabinet than he had been in the camp. But in this respect ho is fully entitled to the benefit of Ms own generous and elevated sentiment,—"Never blame a man who has done his best to do his duty." To use the words which the pen of the poet-laureate has furnished in his ode on the immortal hero's death :—

"...His work is done.

But while the races of mankind endure,

Let his great example stand

Colossal, seen of every land,

And keep the soldier firm, the statesman pure,

Till in all lands, and thro' all human story,

The path of duty be the way to glory"