"
It is interesting to note--to resume our parallel--that this was the
stormy time of the French Revolution, when Napoleon was painfully
carving his way upward by the edge of the sword, and by push rather
than "pull" had achieved high command in early life.
But we would do the young Wellington a grave injustice if we pictured
him as leading a life of inactivity, awaiting a promotion through
"pull." He had qualities which now began to assert themselves and were
to contribute to his larger fame. For one thing, he was something of a
diplomat. He remembered names and faces, and turned every acquaintance
to account. Later, he was credited with a marvellous memory--such as
also had his great French rival.
These qualities, it is true, were slow in ripening. At the age of
twenty-one, he was elected to the Irish House of Commons, from his home
County. This was done in order to give him parliamentary training, and
such service was allowed without the necessity of relinquishing his
military rank or duties. It was merely an extra tail to his kite. He
is thus described by a colleague, Sir Jonah Barrington:
"Wellesley was then ruddy-faced and juvenile in appearance, and popular
enough among the young men of his age and station. His address was
unpolished; he occasionally spoke in Parliament, but not successfully,
and never on important subjects; and evinced no promise of that
unparalleled celebrity and splendor which he has since reached, and
whereto intrepidity and decision, good luck, and great military science
have justly combined to elevate him.
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