A STORY OF THE IRON DUKE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 118, 21 May 1910, Page 10

A STORY OF THE IRON DUKE.

We have been favoured with an amusing story about the Duke of Wellington, just discovered among the papers of the late Field-MaTshal Sir W. Gomm. The Duke, when last in the Netherlands, and travelling without attendants, in a part of the country where his multitudinous titles were not well understood, was overtaken on the road by a veteran officer, whose route lay in the same direction. The Duke having occasion to stop, and as the officer would reach a certain town several hours before him, requested that the veteran would take the trouble of ordering dinner for him at the principal inn. The old officer made his congee and proceeded on his mission. "I am desired to order dinner here," said he to tha landlord; "but stay, I had better state- who for." Then, calling for pen and ink ho presented the astonished and delighted host with the list of his forthcoming illustrious gussts. That list was as follows: —The Prince of Waterloo, the Duke of Wellington, the- Duke of Ciudad Rodrigo, and the Duke of Vittoria; the Marquis of Douro and a Marshal of France; MasterGeneral of the Ordnance, Colonel of the Royal Regiment of Horse Guards Blue, Colonel of the Rifle Brigade, the LordLieutenant of Hampshire, and Governor of Plymouth; Field-Marshal of Austria, of Russia, of Prussia, of France, of England, and of the Netherlands; a Grandee of fhe Highest Class, a CaptainGeneral of Spain, Knight of the Orders of the Garter in England, St. Andrew in Russia, and the Black Eagle in Russia, Charles the Third and St. Ferdinand and Merit and the Golden Fleece- in Spain; Maximilian and Joseph in Bavaria; St. Maria Teresa in Austria; the Sword in Spain; St. Esprit in France; St. George in Russia; the Tower and Sword in Portugal, and (to bring up the rear) a Doctor of Civil Laws. "Mon Dieu!"' exclaimed the host in ecstasy, "What a noble company." He then began to tell them over: "One prince, three dukes, one marquis, a marshal-general of France, an English, governor, an. Knglisn lord-lieutenant, Master-General of Ordnance, and two English colonels, six Field-Marshals, one Grandee of the Highest Class, a Captain-General of Spain, twelve knights, and a Doctor of Civil Laws! ! Mon Dieu! Thirty-two Great Personages!" All tho provisions of the town, all the delicacies of the season, and all the celebrated wines were immediately put in requisition for the illustrious company in expectancy. At last the Duke of Wellington arrived, and was ushered into a spacious dining-room, where a cloth was laid with thirty-two covers. The person of the Duke was unknown to ■fhe innkeeper, who, full of important preparations for the thirty-two great personages, thought not of anything else. "I ordered dinner here," said his Grac*;. "Mon Dieu!" responded the innkeeper, "are you one of the thirty-two Gre.it Personages?" presenting the list at <he same time. His Grace glanced his aye over it. "They are all here," said he, "so send up the dinner immediately." The innkeeper stood aghast with amazement. At last, finding utterance, he ventured to express a hope that his Grace would be pleased to take into consideration that he (the innkeeper) had at great trouble and cost provided % most sumptuous entertainment for thirtytwo Great Personages. "D the thirty-two Great Personages!" exclaimed the Duke. "Send up the dinner ai-d your bill. Thus I must pay the penal ty," said he, "for not having invited the old veteran to be of the party."—Westminster Gazette.