THE DUKES REQUEST 243 



would experience in obliging the Duke in any 

 possible manner. 



' Well, then/ observed the Duke, ' it is this : you 

 know what vague and contradictory accounts we get 

 in the newspapers about the proceedings of our 

 army ; now, I want you to write me a letter occasion- 

 ally — that is, whenever you can find leisure — just 

 that I may know the truth.' 



General Picton promised to comply with his 

 wishes by sending him the particulars of every affair 

 of importance. This he did punctually ; and when- 

 ever a letter arrived from the General, the Duke used 

 to observe, 'Ah! this is a letter from Picton; now 

 we shall have the truth.' 



The Duke's death prevented any lengthy continu- 

 ance of this correspondence; and on its occurrence 

 Picton found himself the possessor of five thousand 

 pounds, left him by his unsought noble friend. 



