THE LATE DUKE OF WELLINGTON. 241 



or of attending dinners and parties in the 

 evening. 



Never shall I forget one evening, at Paris, 

 when driving my chief in his cabriolet from 

 the Hotel Borghese to the Theatre Francais, 

 I very nearly upset the vehicle ; and, as the 

 accident occurred in a very crowded street, it 

 might have been attended with serious conse- 

 quences. It was an eventful day in my hfe ; 

 and, to explain my distraction on that occasion, 

 I must enter at some length into the cause 

 of it. This I do most readily, as the whole 

 transaction reflects so much credit on the 

 Duke's kindness of heart. 



One morning, late in December, the curricle 

 was at the door, and 1, equipped for the chase, 

 was waiting to drive Wellington in his curricle 

 to Versailles, the place where the Eoyal stag- 

 hounds were to meet, when he sent for me. I 

 found him busy over some papers. 



" I shall not be able to go to-day," said he, 

 " but you can have the curricle. Tell the Duke 

 de Berri I have some letters to write, as the 

 messenger starts for England at two o'clock, 

 which will prevent my meeting His Royal High- 

 ness. Elmore is sent on for me ; and, as he is 



R 



