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276 THE WINTER TROUBLES. CHAP, home, but lie resolved that notliiiiK short of an IX • • ' actual recall should withdraw him from the com- mand of his army in its time of troulde. In answering the Duke's letter of the 2 2d of December, he wrote : ' Your concluding observa- tions are most painful to me. My whole day and a good part of the night are devoted to the discharge of my duty. I am ably seconded by the Adjutant and Quartermaster Generals, and the business to which your remarks are ad- dressed more particularly belong to the Depart- ment of the latter. I must in justice say that his [General Airey's] well-directed exertions are unceasing.'(^^) ' If these severe observations are intended to apply to the staff officers of the army, I positively and distinctly deny their accuracy, and must testify to their zeal, ability, and unceasing devotion to their duty. They have hardly any rest.'(^^) ' I can arrive at no other couclusion than that I no longer enjoy your confidence. This, which is strongly im- pressed on my mind, I cannot but regard as a heavy misfortune, and as calculated to increase the difficulties and add very seriously to the anxieties of my present position, the only alle- viation to which has been the countenance and support which you have hitherto invariably manifested towards me. My duty, however, to the Queen will induce me to persevere in doing my best to carry on the service to the utmost of my ability apart from all personal consider- ations. . . . It is with the deepest con- cern that 1 observe that, upon the authority of