Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

A PRUDENT DELAY. 489
the history of political negotiations and campaigns in which he
has taken part, and that the time is yet too recent to state all
these accurately, he says :
—
" In respect to military transactions the same objection does
not exist, at least in the same force. I am at liberty to publish
what I please, and no inconvenience to the public could result
from such publication. -But if I insist upon publishing the
truth regarding not only individuals but nations (and anything
in the shape of history that was not the truth would be unworthy
of your pen, as it would be very disagreeable to me, and
would besides do no good), I shall for the remainder of my life
be engaged in controversies of a nature the most unpleasant,
as they will be with the wounded vanity of individuals and
nations."
What can be said in opposition to this ? I have, therefore,
made up my mind, instead of compiling a wretched thing from
second-hand sources, to pay court to the Duke for the purpose
of securing his papers and memoranda : it may be for writing
his life now, but it shall remain in MS. until its subject is
gathered to his fathers. I think you will say this is a wise
scheme. Such a work, if I can manage it, will be invaluable.
The ' Life of the Duke of Wellington ' was v^nritten,
but only published in 1862, so that Gleig kept his
word. I am unable to say whether the work, when
produced, was as important as he hoped it would be.
It is described in the article devoted to him in the
' Dictionary of National Biography ' as " founded upon
Brialmont's biography, with the addition of some
original matter,"
Another of the contributors of this period appears
with a very curious label in the museums of biography,
considering that he was a regular and very useful aid
in the composition of a high Tory periodical in days
when political distinctions were so much more urgent