A couple of weeks ago we took a trip to the Wellington Monument near, er, Wellington.
The place is an object lesson in the transient nature of fame and public approbation. The monument was supposed to be much taller and have an enormous bronze statue of the Duke on top. But funds, provided by public subscription, soon ran out and the work that was done was of a poor standard. That fence around the base is to keep visitors safe from falling masonry.
The Duke might have felt aggrieved at the contrast with Nelson's Column, but may also have reflected that Nelson had to died to earn it. In any case, the place has a somewhat bereft air to it, as the whole site is poorly maintained, despite being owned by the National Trust.
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