"General Wellesley was a little above the middle height, well limbed and muscular; with little incumbrance of flesh beyond that which gives shape and manliness to the outline of the figure; with a firm tread, an erect carriage, a countenance strongly patrician, both in feature, profile, and expression, and an appearance remarkable and distinguished. Few could approach him on any duty, or, on any subject requiring his serious attention, without being sensible of a something strange and penetrating in his clear light eye. Nothing could be more simple and straightforward than the matter of what he uttered; nor did he ever in his life affect any peculiarity or pomp of manner, or rise to any coarse, weak loudness in his tone of voice. It was not so that he gave expression to excited feeling." His reputation as a great soldier will stand for all time, not because he defeated Napoleon, but because his whole military career was built upon duty. It was not ostentation but merit, that won him the supreme command. His ideals were always high. "We must get the upper hand," he advised, "and if once we have that, we shall keep it with ease, and shall certainly succeed." IMPORTANT DATES IN WELLINGTON'S LIFE 1769. May 1. Arthur Wellesley born. 1785. Attended military school at Angers, France. 1787. Entered British Army as ensign. 1793. Became lieutenant-colonel. 1794. Saw his first active service in Flanders. 1796. Colonel. Sent to India. 1803. Major-general. 1805. Married Charlotte Packenham. 1808. Made lieutenant-general, and sent to command Peninsular War. 1814. Created Duke of Wellington. 1815. Defeated Napoleon at Waterloo. 1827. Prime minister. 1852. September 14. Died. GORDON THE MAN WHO "DISCOVERED" CHINA The name, Gordon, brings to mind the warrior--perchance the Highland laddie who with bagpipes fiercely blowing charges down the rocky slope against the enemy. "Chinese" Gordon, as one of this warlike clan will be known for all time, came indeed of a race of warriors, and was born in martial surroundings; but the man himself was far from being of that stern stuff that glories in a fight. As boy and man, he was quiet, lovable, and of intensely religious nature. Gordon means a "spear," and the name was probably given to the clan several centuries ago. Its members had always been famous in battle. Chinese Gordon's great-grandfather led a very eventful life. He was taken prisoner in the battle of Prestonpans, and later went to Canada, on the special expedition which wrested that Dominion from the French. His son took part in many battles, and served with distinction. The next in line, the father of Chinese Gordon, was Lieutenant-General Henry William Gordon, a soldier of the highest type.