Page:Great Men and Famous Women Volume 2.djvu/104

 272 SOLDIERS AND SAILORS ARTHUR. DUKE OF WELLINGTON By L. Drake (l 769-1852) /^Sis-^ A' RTHUR Wellesley, the fourth son of the Earl of Mornington, was born on May I, 1769, at Dungan Castle, in Ireland. Although exhibiting no decided inclination for the profession of arms, a soldier's career was chosen for him at an early age ; and after some preparatory years spent at Eton, he was sent to Angers, in France, to learn in its an- cient military school those lessons in the art of war which he was destined in after-life again and again so gloriously to surpass. Unlike his contemporary Napoleon, the genius of Wellington did not display itself beyond enabling him to attain a fair and creditable proficiency at Angers. On his return to England he was gazetted to an ensigncy early in 1787 ; and five years later, having passed through the intermediate de- grees, he obtained a troop in the Eighteenth Light Dragoons. His first appearance in public life was as a statesman, having been returned to the Irish Parliament for the borough of Trim. His military career of active ser- vice commenced by his being ordered, with his regiment, to join the army in the Netherlands. Ere he reached it, the tide of victory was running against the Brit- ish arms ; and his opening campaign, while it gave him much experience, brought him but little glory. He had now obtained the rank of colonel ; and, as com- mander of the rear-guard of the army, he steadily covered its retreat before the advancing troops of the French republic, till they crossed the frontiers of the Low Countries ; when, after a kindly welcome and a short stay with the Bremeners, they returned home. The worn-out regiments were immediately recruited ; and in April, 1 796, Colonel Wellesley sailed with his corps for the East Indies, where he arrived in February the following year. The fall of Seringapatam, and the death of Tippou-Saib in its defence, are well-known events. The principal command of the army in India was soon intrusted to Colonel Wellesley, and early next year he was gazetted major-general. The nature of