Arthur Wellesley, the third son of the Earl of Mornington, went into the army as an ensign in the 73rd Foot, and became a very great general and afterwards a statesman. He went to India in 1797, where his wonderful military career may be said to have begun. From India he passed to the command of the English armies in the Peninsular war against Buonaparte, where he steadily overcame the best French generals, and at Waterloo broke the whole strength of France, and obliged Buonaparte to surrender to the allies. The Duke of Wellington was a man of the loftiest character as a commander and statesman, with no thought of himself, or love of praise or gain. He lived in an unassuming way, with great simplicity, and died at Walmer Castle in 1852. THOMAS MOORE. Born 1779.—Died 1852.—George III.—George IV.—William IV.—Victoria. An Irish gentleman and poet who spent much of his time with Lord Byron and the literary men of his time. He wrote several satirical poems, but is best known by his _Lalla Rookh_, and the _Irish and National Melodies_. SAMUEL ROGERS. Born 1763.—Died 1855.—George III.—George IV.—William IV.—Victoria. A poet, whose reputation was perhaps greater than his works. His _Pleasures of Memory_ and _Italy_ are those chiefly known, but he wrote a variety of smaller poems of great beauty and finish. His knowledge of literature and conversational powers were extraordinary. ROBERT STEPHENSON. Born 1803.—Died 1859.—George III.—George IV.—William IV.—Victoria. The son of George Stephenson, the great engineer and mechanic, who was one of the most extraordinary instances on record of the benefits of self-education and “self-help.” He placed the first locomotive engine on the line between Liverpool and Manchester in 1814. Robert Stephenson succeeded his father in all his works, and carried out several gigantic undertakings, especially the tubular bridge over the Menai Straits and the Victoria bridge over the river St. Lawrence in Canada. He was employed in making railways throughout Europe, and in America, Canada, Egypt, and India. SIR ISAMBARD KINGDOM BRUNEL. Born 1806.—Died 1859.—George III.—George IV.—William IV.—Victoria. The son of Sir Mark Isambard Brunel, the engineer of the Thames Tunnel. Sir Isambard, the son, first laid down the broad gauge system of railways, and also built the _Great Eastern_ steamship. His railway bridges were planned with extraordinary boldness, and that at Saltash, in Devonshire, is well known. WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY. Born 1811.—Died 1863.—George III.—George IV.—William IV.—Victoria.