Wellington-In Personal Terms

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32222, 14 February 1970, Page 4

Wellington-In Personal Terms

Wellington. By Elizabeth Longford. Wiedenfeld and Nicolson. 491 pp. Bibliography, References, Index. The sub-title of this biography is “The Years of.the Sword." and covers the rise to military fame of its subject —culminating in the battle of Waterloo, which probably ranks as the most significant conflict for the balance of power in Europe since Attila and his Huns were defeated at Challons in the fifth century. Lady Longford's skill in evoking the events of the period is sufficient to make the reader of this rather heavy volume (it weighs two and a half pounds) look forward to supporting the bulk of the second instalment. The author presents her hero in more personal terms than has been revealed by other biographers, and tells at some length the story of the hesitant impecunious younger son of an Irish viscount who, at the age of eighteen, in 1787 received his first (purchased) commission in the army. As an ensign Arthur Wesley—the original family name of Wellesley was adopted some years later—found it impossible to live on his pay, and his suit of the pretty and popular Kitty Pakenham was not smiled on by her father, Lord Longford. Perhaps the only rash action of Arthur Wesley's life was his declaration to Kitty before going out to India with his regiment, “My mind will remain the same." Eleven years later, after the victories of Seringapatam and Assaye, both of which were due to his budding military genius. Arthur Wellesley was of sufficient mark in bis profession to warrant the approval of the Pakenham family of his fitness to marry into'their ranks, and he felt himself obliged to honour his word to Kitty despite the fact that they had not corresponded, and he no longer found her attractive. Arthur Wellesley was never given to self-revelation, but the author makes it clear why in the build-up of his character he came by the adjective “iron” On receiving his first commission he had said, “Since I have undertaken a profession 1 had better try to understand it” and put the precept into practice by having one of his soldiers weighed in full kit. The nicety of perception gave an indication of the attention to detail which was one of the basic constituents of military genius. Yet the strategy which overcame resistance in the Indian campaigns was to arouse jealousies which resulted in Arthur Wellesley's supersession by more senior officers in the field of battle. This particular frustration was to occur again in the Peninsular wars and first found expression in his bitter comment after the battle of Assaye, “1 like to walk alone." Another and even more dangerous handicap to all his operations were the political wrangles at home, and the uncertainty arising from them of troop reinforcements and supplies arriving

when direly needed. In the desperate hazards facing the British army in the Peninsular wars only those who served under this unresponsive commander—soldiers described by. him as “the scum of the earth"—believed implicitly that under his leadership they could confidently look for victory. Neither was their loyalty shaken by the fate of a number of their comrades who were mercilessly flogged, and sometimes hanged, for the sin of looting. However, the conduct of rhe Peninsular wars did earn Wellington his dukedom, and of all the French commanders opposing him, Ney. Soult, Marmont and Massena, the only one who earned his respect was the last, and found expression at a dinner in Paris some years later in an exchange of badinage. "My lord you owe me a dinner—for you made me virtually starve," said Massena. To which the Duke replied "You should give it to me Marshal, for you prevented me from sleeping." The author’s description of Waterloo is poignant for its emphasis on the human element. Napoleon’s confidence as expressed in his own words while at breakfast clearly illustrates the truth of the saying that "Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad." "I tell you,” he said, "Wellington is a bad general, the English are bad troops, and this affair is not more than eating breakfast." Wellington did not make the mistake of underrating Napoleon, though after one suicidally savage and unsuccessful onslaught by French troops against his centre he remarked coolly “Damn the fellow, he’s a mere pounder after all." But when at a critical moment a gunner said excitedly “There's Bonaparte, sir. I think I may reach him. May I fire?" the Duke replied promptly. "No. no, generals commanding armies have something else to do than to shoot one another.” Lady Longford's wit and fine narrative style bring to life the human characteristics of this almost inhuman man. Though a great favourite with women, and the hero of a few romantic scandals. his marriage failed more, perhaps, from his misunderstanding of a foolish, and, to him. inexcusably spendthrift, wife than to her shortcomings. Poor Kitty is shown as developing a cruel inferiority complex, which her husband’s obvious contempt for her must have intensified, and she could thus never live up to the splendours of his position. In later life it is obvious that Wellington regretted certain sins of omission in his handling of men and events, for when he was asked whether there was any way in which he could have done better at the battle of Waterloo he replied “Yes, 1 should have given more praise." This lack of recognition of acts of great bravery was amply borne out by his despatches after the battle.

in which regiments and individual acts of heroism were never mentioned, a fact which caused some bitterness amongst even his warmest admirers. It is something that he came to deplore his own shortcomings in this respect, but with all the veneration which he inspired in his countrymen he could have won more affection with the “Nelson touch” which had done so much to endear his fellow hero to every Englishman of the time.

This biography does more to show Wellington as a man with human weaknesses than that of most of his historians. and should appeal to a wide circle of readers.