WILLIAMPITT。
（January1859。）
WilliamPitt，thesecondsonofWilliamPitt，EarlofChatham，andofLadyHesterGranville，daughterofHesterCountessTemple，wasbornonthe28thofMay1759。Thechildinheritedanamewhich，atthetimeofhisbirth，wasthemostillustriousinthecivilisedworld，andwaspronouncedbyeveryEnglishmanwithpride，andbyeveryenemyofEnglandwithmingledadmirationandterror。Duringthefirstyearofhislife，everymonthhaditsilluminationsandbonfires，andeverywindbroughtsomemessengerchargedwithjoyfultidingsandhostilestandards。InWestphaliatheEnglishinfantrywonagreatbattlewhicharrestedthearmiesofLouistheFifteenthinthemidstofacareerofconquest;
BoscawendefeatedoneFrenchfleetonthecoastofPortugal;
HawkeputtoflightanotherintheBayofBiscay;JohnsontookNiagara;AmhersttookTiconderoga;WolfediedbythemostenviableofdeathsunderthewallsofQuebec;ClivedestroyedaDutcharmamentintheHooghly，andestablishedtheEnglishsupremacyinBengal;CooteroutedLallyatWandewash，andestablishedtheEnglishsupremacyintheCarnatic。Thenation，whileloudlyapplaudingthesuccessfulwarriors，consideredthemall，onseaandonland，inEurope，inAmerica，andinAsia，merelyasinstrumentswhichreceivedtheirdirectionfromonesuperiormind。ItwasthegreatWilliamPitt，thegreatcommoner，whohadvanquishedFrenchmarshalsinGermany，andFrenchadmiralsontheAtlantic;whohadconqueredforhiscountryonegreatempireonthefrozenshoresofOntario，andanotherunderthetropicalsunnearthemouthsoftheGanges。Itwasnotinthenatureofthingsthatpopularitysuchasheatthistimeenjoyedshouldbepermanent。Thatpopularityhadlostitsglossbeforehischildrenwereoldenoughtounderstandthattheirfatherwasagreatman。Hewasatlengthplacedinsituationsinwhichneitherhistalentsforadministrationnorhistalentsfordebateappearedtothebestadvantage。Theenergyanddecisionwhichhademinentlyfittedhimforthedirectionofwarwerenotneededintimeofpeace。Theloftyandspirit—stirringeloquencewhichhadmadehimsupremeintheHouseofCommonsoftenfelldeadontheHouseofLords。Acruelmaladyrackedhisjoints，andlefthisjointsonlytofallonhisnervesandonhisbrain。Duringtheclosingyearsofhislife，hewasodioustothecourt，andyetwasnotoncordialtermswiththegreatbodyoftheopposition。ChathamwasonlytheruinofPitt，butanawfulandmajesticruin，nottobecontemplatedbyanymanofsenseandfeelingwithoutemotionsresemblingthosewhichareexcitedbytheremainsoftheParthenonandoftheColiseum。Inonerespecttheoldstatesmanwaseminentlyhappy。Whatevermightbethevicissitudesofhispubliclife，heneverfailedtofindpeaceandlovebyhisownhearth。Helovedallhischildren，andwaslovedbythem;and，ofallhischildren，theoneofwhomhewasfondestandproudestwashissecondson。
Thechild’sgeniusandambitiondisplayedthemselveswitharareandalmostunnaturalprecocity。Atseven，theinterestwhichhetookingravesubjects，theardourwithwhichhepursuedhisstudies，andthesenseandvivacityofhisremarksonbooksandonevents，amazedhisparentsandinstructors。Oneofhissayingsofthisdatewasreportedtohismotherbyhistutor。InAugust1766，whentheworldwasagitatedbythenewsthatMrPitthadbecomeEarlofChatham，littleWilliamexclaimed，\"IamgladthatIamnottheeldestson。IwanttospeakintheHouseofCommonslikepapa。\"AletterisextantinwhichLadyChatham，awomanofconsiderableabilities，remarkedtoherlord，thattheiryoungersonattwelvehadleftfarbehindhimhiselderbrother，whowasfifteen。\"Thefineness，\"shewrote，\"ofWilliam’smindmakeshimenjoywiththegreatestpleasurewhatwouldbeabovethereachofanyothercreatureofhissmallage。\"Atfourteentheladwasinintellectaman。Hayley，whomethimatLymeinthesummerof1773，wasastonished，delighted，andsomewhatoverawed，byhearingwitandwisdomfromsoyoungamouth。Thepoet，indeed，wasafterwardssorrythathisshynesshadpreventedhimfromsubmittingtheplanofanextensiveliterarywork，whichhewasthenmeditating，tothejudgmentofthisextraordinaryboy。Theboy，indeed，hadalreadywrittenatragedy，badofcourse，butnotworsethanthetragediesofhisfriend。ThispieceisstillpreservedatChevening，andisinsomerespectshighlycurious。Thereisnolove。Thewholeplotispolitical;
anditisremarkablethattheinterest，suchasitis，turnsonacontestaboutaregency。OnonesideisafaithfulservantoftheCrown，ontheotheranambitiousandunprincipledconspirator。AtlengththeKing，whohadbeenmissing，reappears，resumeshispower，andrewardsthefaithfuldefenderofhisrights。AreaderwhoshouldjudgeonlybyinternalevidencewouldhavenohesitationinpronouncingthattheplaywaswrittenbysomePittitepoetasteratthetimeoftherejoicingsfortherecoveryofGeorgetheThirdin1789。
ThepleasurewithwhichWilliam’sparentsobservedtherapiddevelopmentofhisintellectualpowerswasalloyedbyapprehensionsabouthishealth。Heshotupalarminglyfast;hewasoftenill，andalwaysweak;anditwasfearedthatitwouldbeimpossibletorearastriplingsotall，soslender，andsofeeble。Portwinewasprescribedbyhismedicaladvisers:anditissaidthathewas，atfourteen，accustomedtotakethisagreeablephysicinquantitieswhichwould，inourabstemiousage，bethoughtmuchmorethansufficientforanyfull—grownman。
Thisregimen，thoughitwouldprobablyhavekilledninety—nineboysoutofahundred，seemstohavebeenwellsuitedtothepeculiaritiesofWilliam’sconstitution;foratfifteenheceasedtobemolestedbydisease，and，thoughneverastrongman，continued，duringmanyyearsoflabourandanxiety，ofnightspassedindebateandofsummerspassedinLondon，tobeatolerablyhealthyone。Itwasprobablyonaccountofthedelicacyofhisframethathewasnoteducatedlikeotherboysofthesamerank。AlmostalltheeminentEnglishstatesmenandoratorstowhomhewasafterwardsopposedorallied，North，Fox，Shelburne，Windham，Grey，Wellesley，Grenville，Sheridan，Canning，wentthroughthetrainingofgreatpublicschools。LordChathamhadhimselfbeenadistinguishedEtonian:anditisseldomthatadistinguishedEtonianforgetshisobligationstoEton。ButWilliam’sinfirmitiesrequiredavigilanceandtendernesssuchascouldbefoundonlyathome。Hewasthereforebredunderthepaternalroof。HisstudiesweresuperintendedbyaclergymannamedWilson;andthosestudies，thoughofteninterruptedbyillness，wereprosecutedwithextraordinarysuccess。Beforetheladhadcompletedhisfifteenthyear，hisknowledgebothoftheancientlanguagesandofmathematicswassuchasveryfewmenofeighteenthencarrieduptocollege。Hewasthereforesent，towardsthecloseoftheyear1773，toPembrokeHall，intheuniversityofCambridge。Soyoungastudentrequiredmuchmorethantheordinarycarewhichacollegetutorbestowsonundergraduates。Thegovernor，towhomthedirectionofWilliam’sacademicallifewasconfided，wasabachelorofartsnamedPretyman，whohadbeenseniorwranglerintheprecedingyear，andwho，thoughnotamanofprepossessingappearanceorbrilliantparts，waseminentlyacuteandlaborious，asoundscholar，andanexcellentgeometrician。AtCambridge，Pretymanwas，duringmorethantwoyears，theinseparablecompanion，andindeedalmosttheonlycompanionofhispupil。A
closeandlastingfriendshipsprangupbetweenthepair。Thedisciplewasable，beforehecompletedhistwenty—eighthyear，tomakehispreceptorBishopofLincolnandDeanofStPaul’s;andthepreceptorshowedhisgratitudebywritingalifeofthedisciple，whichenjoysthedistinctionofbeingtheworstbiographicalworkofitssizeintheworld。
Pitt，tillhegraduated，hadscarcelyoneacquaintance，attendedchapelregularlymorningandevening，dinedeverydayinhall，andneverwenttoasingleeveningparty。Atseventeen，hewasadmitted，afterthebadfashionofthosetimes，byrightofbirth，withoutanyexamination，tothedegreeoftheMasterofArts。Buthecontinuedduringsomeyearstoresideatcollege，andtoapplyhimselfvigorously，underPretyman’sdirection，tothestudiesoftheplace，whilemixingfreelyinthebestacademicsociety。
ThestockoflearningwhichPittlaidinduringthispartofhislifewascertainlyveryextraordinary。Infact，itwasallthatheeverpossessed;forheveryearlybecametoobusytohaveanysparetimeforbooks。TheworkinwhichhetookthegreatestdelightwasNewton’sPrincipia。Hislikingformathematics，indeed，amountedtoapassion，which，intheopinionofhisinstructors，themselvesdistinguishedmathematicians，requiredtobecheckedratherthanencouraged。Theacutenessandreadinesswithwhichhesolvedproblemswaspronouncedbyoneoftheablestofthemoderators，whointhosedayspresidedoverthedisputationsintheschools，andconductedtheexaminationsoftheSenateHouse，tobeunrivalledintheuniversity。Norwastheyouth’sproficiencyinclassicallearninglessremarkable。
Inonerespect，indeed，heappearedtodisadvantagewhencomparedwithevensecond—rateandthird—ratemenfrompublicschools。Hehadnever，whileunderWilson’scare，beeninthehabitofcomposingintheancientlanguages:andhethereforeneveracquiredthatknackofversificationwhichissometimespossessedbycleverboyswhoseknowledgeofthelanguageandliteratureofGreeceandRomeisverysuperficial。ItwouldhavebeenutterlyoutofhispowertoproducesuchcharmingelegiaclinesasthoseinwhichWellesleybadefarewelltoEton，orsuchVirgilianhexametersasthoseinwhichCanningdescribedthepilgrimagetoMecca。Butitmaybedoubtedwhetheranyscholarhasever，attwenty，hadamoresolidandprofoundknowledgeofthetwogreattonguesoftheoldcivilisedworld。ThefacilitywithwhichhepenetratedthemeaningofthemostintricatesentencesintheAtticwritersastonishedveterancritics。HehadsethisheartonbeingintimatelyacquaintedwithalltheextantpoetryofGreece，andwasnotsatisfiedtillhehadmasteredLycophron’sCassandra，themostobscureworkinthewholerangeofancientliterature。Thisstrangerhapsody，thedifficultiesofwhichhaveperplexedandrepelledmanyexcellentscholars，\"heread，\"
sayshispreceptor，\"withaneaseatfirstsight，which，ifIhadnotwitnessedit，Ishouldhavethoughtbeyondthecompassofhumanintellect。\"
TomodernliteraturePittpaidcomparativelylittleattention。
HeknewnolivinglanguageexceptFrench;andFrenchheknewveryimperfectly。WithafewofthebestEnglishwritershewasintimate，particularlywithShakspeareandMilton。ThedebateinPandemoniumwas，asitwelldeservedtobe，oneofhisfavouritepassages;andhisearlyfriendsusedtotalk，longafterhisdeath，ofthejustemphasisandthemelodiouscadencewithwhichtheyhadheardhimrecitetheincomparablespeechofBelial。Hehadindeedbeencarefullytrainedfrominfancyintheartofmanaginghisvoice，avoicenaturallyclearanddeep—toned。Hisfather，whoseoratoryowednosmallpartofitseffecttothatart，hadbeenamostskilfulandjudiciousinstructor。Atalaterperiod，thewitsofBrookes’s，irritatedbyobserving，nightafternight，howpowerfullyPitt’ssonorouselocutionfascinatedtherowsofcountrygentlemen，reproachedhimwithhavingbeen\"taughtbyhisdadonastool。\"
Hiseducation，indeed，waswelladaptedtoformagreatparliamentaryspeaker。Oneargumentoftenurgedagainstthoseclassicalstudieswhichoccupysolargeapartoftheearlylifeofeverygentlemanbredinthesouthofourislandis，thattheypreventhimfromacquiringacommandofhismothertongue，andthatitisnotunusualtomeetwithayouthofexcellentparts，whowritesCiceronianLatinproseandHoratianLatinAlcaics，butwhowouldfinditimpossibletoexpresshisthoughtsinpure，perspicuous，andforcibleEnglish。Theremayperhapsbesometruthinthisobservation。ButtheclassicalstudiesofPittwerecarriedoninapeculiarmanner，andhadtheeffectofenrichinghisEnglishvocabulary，andofmakinghimwonderfullyexpertintheartofconstructingcorrectEnglishsentences。HispracticewastolookoverapageortwoofaGreekorLatinauthor，tomakehimselfmasterofthemeaning，andthentoreadthepassagestraightforwardintohisownlanguage。Thispractice，begununderhisfirstteacherWilson，wascontinuedunderPretyman。Itisnotstrangethatayoungmanofgreatabilities，whohadbeenexerciseddailyinthiswayduringtenyears，shouldhaveacquiredanalmostunrivalledpowerofputtinghisthoughts，withoutpremeditation，intowordswellselectedandwellarranged。
Ofalltheremainsofantiquity，theorationswerethoseonwhichhebestowedthemostminuteexamination。Hisfavouriteemploymentwastocompareharanguesonoppositesidesofthesamequestion，toanalysethem，andtoobservewhichoftheargumentsofthefirstspeakerwererefutedbythesecond，whichwereevaded，andwhichwereleftuntouched。Norwasitonlyinbooksthatheatthistimestudiedtheartofparliamentaryfencing。
Whenhewasathome，hehadfrequentopportunitiesofhearingimportantdebatesatWestminster;andheheardthem，notonlywithinterestandenjoyment，butwithaclosescientificattentionresemblingthatwithwhichadiligentpupilatGuy’sHospitalwatcheseveryturnofthehandofagreatsurgeonthroughadifficultoperation。Ononeoftheseoccasions，Pitt，ayouthwhoseabilitieswereasyetknownonlytohisownfamilyandtoasmallknotofcollegefriends，wasintroducedonthestepsofthethroneintheHouseofLordstoFox，whowashisseniorbyelevenyears，andwhowasalreadythegreatestdebater，andoneofthegreatestorators，thathadappearedinEngland。
Foxusedafterwardstorelatethat，asthediscussionproceeded，Pittrepeatedlyturnedtohim，andsaid，\"Butsurely，MrFox，thatmightbemetthus;\"or，\"Yes;buthelayshimselfopentothisretort。\"WhattheparticularcriticismswereFoxhadforgotten;buthesaidthathewasmuchstruckatthetimebytheprecocityoftheladwho，throughthewholesitting，seemedtobethinkingonlyhowallthespeechesonbothsidescouldbeanswered。
Oneoftheyoungman’svisitstotheHouseofLordswasasadandmemorableerainhislife。Hehadnotquitecompletedhisnineteenthyear，when，onthe7thofApril1778，heattendedhisfathertoWestminster。Agreatdebatewasexpected。ItwasknownthatFrancehadrecognisedtheindependenceoftheUnitedStates。TheDukeofRichmondwasabouttodeclarehisopinionthatallthoughtofsubjugatingthosestatesoughttoberelinquished。Chathamhadalwaysmaintainedthattheresistanceofthecoloniestothemothercountrywasjustifiable。Butheconceived，veryerroneously，thatonthedayonwhichtheirindependenceshouldbeacknowledgedthegreatnessofEnglandwouldbeatanend。Thoughsinkingundertheweightofyearsandinfirmities，hedetermined，inspiteoftheentreatiesofhisfamily，tobeinhisplace。Hissonsupportedhimtoaseat。
Theexcitementandexertionweretoomuchfortheoldman。Intheveryactofaddressingthepeers，hefellbackinconvulsions。Afewweekslaterhiscorpsewasborne，withgloomypomp，fromthePaintedChambertotheAbbey。Thefavouritechildandnamesakeofthedeceasedstatesmanfollowedthecoffinaschiefmourner，andsawitdepositedinthetranseptwherehisownwasdestinedtolie。
Hiselderbrother，nowEarlofChatham，hadmeanssufficient，andbarelysufficient，tosupportthedignityofthepeerage。Theothermembersofthefamilywerepoorlyprovidedfor。Williamhadlittlemorethanthreehundredayear。Itwasnecessaryforhimtofollowaprofession。Hehadalreadybeguntoeathisterms。Inthespringof1780hecameofage。HethenquittedCambridge，wascalledtothebar，tookchambersinLincoln’sInn，andjoinedthewesterncircuit。Intheautumnofthatyearageneralelectiontookplace;andheofferedhimselfasacandidatefortheuniversity;buthewasatthebottomofthepoll。Itissaidthatthegravedoctors，whothensaterobedinscarlet，onthebenchesofGolgotha，thoughtitgreatpresumptioninsoyoungamantosolicitsohighadistinction。Hewas，however，attherequestofahereditaryfriend，theDukeofRutland，broughtintoParliamentbySirJamesLowtherfortheboroughofAppleby。
Thedangersofthecountrywereatthattimesuchasmightwellhavedisturbedevenaconstantmind。ArmyafterarmyhadbeensentinvainagainsttherebelliouscolonistsofNorthAmerica。
Onpitchedfieldsofbattletheadvantagehadbeenwiththedisciplinedtroopsofthemothercountry。Butitwasnotonpitchedfieldsofbattlethattheeventofsuchacontestcouldbedecided。Anarmednation，withhungerandtheAtlanticforauxiliaries，wasnottobesubjugated。MeanwhiletheHouseofBourbon，humbledtothedustafewyearsbeforebythegeniusandvigourofChatham，hadseizedtheopportunityofrevenge。FranceandSpainwereunitedagainstus，andhadrecentlybeenjoinedbyHolland。ThecommandoftheMediterraneanhadbeenforatimelost。TheBritishflaghadbeenscarcelyabletomaintainitselfintheBritishChannel。Thenorthernpowersprofessedneutrality;buttheirneutralityhadamenacingaspect。IntheEast，HyderhaddescendedontheCarnatic，haddestroyedthelittlearmyofBaillie，andhadspreadterroreventotherampartsofFortSaintGeorge。ThediscontentsofIrelandthreatenednothinglessthancivilwar。InEnglandtheauthorityofthegovernmenthadsunktothelowestpoint。TheKingandtheHouseofCommonswerealikeunpopular。Thecryforparliamentaryreformwasscarcelylessloudandvehementthanintheautumnof1830。Formidableassociations，headed，notbyordinarydemagogues，butbymenofhighrank，stainlesscharacter，anddistinguishedability，demandedarevisionoftherepresentativesystem。Thepopulace，emboldenedbytheimpotenceandirresolutionofthegovernment，hadrecentlybrokenloosefromallrestraint，besiegedthechambersofthelegislature，hustledpeers，huntedbishops，attackedtheresidencesofambassadors，openedprisons，burnedandpulleddownhouses。Londonhadpresentedduringsomedaystheaspectofacitytakenbystorm;
andithadbeennecessarytoformacampamongthetreesofSaintJames’sPark。
Inspiteofdangersanddifficultiesabroadandathome，GeorgetheThird，withafirmnesswhichhadlittleaffinitywithvirtueorwithwisdom，persistedinhisdeterminationtoputdowntheAmericanrebelsbyforceofarms;andhisministerssubmittedtheirjudgmenttohis。Someofthemwereprobablyactuatedmerelybyselfishcupidity;buttheirchief，LordNorth，amanofhighhonour，amiabletemper，winningmanners，livelywit，andexcellenttalentsbothforbusinessandfordebate，mustbeacquittedofallsordidmotives。Heremainedatapostfromwhichhehadlongwishedandhadrepeatedlytriedtoescape，onlybecausehehadnotsufficientfortitudetoresisttheentreatiesandreproachesoftheKing，whosilencedallargumentsbypassionatelyaskingwhetheranygentleman，anymanofspirit，couldhavethehearttodesertakindmasterinthehourofextremity。
Theoppositionconsistedoftwopartieswhichhadoncebeenhostiletoeachother，andwhichhadbeenveryslowly，and，asitsoonappeared，veryimperfectlyreconciled，butwhichatthisconjunctureseemedtoacttogetherwithcordiality。ThelargerofthesepartiesconsistedofthegreatbodyoftheWhigaristocracy。ItsheadwasCharles，MarquessofRockingham，amanofsenseandvirtue，andinwealthandparliamentaryinterestequalledbyveryfewoftheEnglishnobles，butafflictedwithanervoustimiditywhichpreventedhimfromtakingaprominentpartindebate。IntheHouseofCommons，theadherentsofRockinghamwereledbyFox，whosedissipatedhabitsandruinedfortuneswerethetalkofthewholetown，butwhosecommandinggenius，andwhosesweet，generous，andaffectionatedisposition，extortedtheadmirationandloveofthosewhomostlamentedtheerrorsofhisprivatelife。Burke，superiortoFoxinlargenessofcomprehension，inextentofknowledge，andinsplendourofimagination，butlessskilledinthatkindoflogicandinthatkindofrhetoricwhichconvinceandpersuadegreatassemblies，waswillingtobethelieutenantofayoungchiefwhomighthavebeenhisson。
AsmallersectionoftheoppositionwascomposedoftheoldfollowersofChatham。AttheirheadwasWilliam，EarlofShelburne，distinguishedbothasastatesmanandasaloverofscienceandletters。WithhimwereleaguedLordCamden，whohadformerlyheldtheGreatSeal，andwhoseintegrity，ability，andconstitutionalknowledgecommandedthepublicrespect;Barre，aneloquentandacrimoniousdeclaimer;andDunning，whohadlongheldthefirstplaceattheEnglishbar。ItwastothispartythatPittwasnaturallyattracted。
Onthe26thofFebruary1781，hemadehisfirstspeech，infavourofBurke’splanofeconomicalreform。Foxstoodupatthesamemoment，butinstantlygaveway。Theloftyyetanimateddeportmentoftheyoungmember，hisperfectself—possession，thereadinesswithwhichherepliedtotheoratorswhohadprecededhim，thesilvertonesofhisvoice，theperfectstructureofhisunpremeditatedsentences，astonishedanddelightedhishearers。
Burke，movedeventotears，exclaimed，\"Itisnotachipoftheoldblock;itistheoldblockitself。\"\"PittwillbeoneofthefirstmeninParliament，\"saidamemberoftheoppositiontoFox。
\"Heissoalready，\"answeredFox，inwhosenatureenvyhadnoplace。Itisacuriousfact，wellrememberedbysomewhowereveryrecentlyliving，thatsoonafterthisdebatePitt’snamewasputupbyFoxatBrookes’s。
OntwosubsequentoccasionsduringthatsessionPittaddressedtheHouse，andonbothfullysustainedthereputationwhichhehadacquiredonhisfirstappearance。Inthesummer，aftertheprorogation，heagainwentthewesterncircuit，heldseveralbriefs，andacquittedhimselfinsuchamannerthathewashighlycomplimentedbyBullerfromthebench，andbyDunningatthebar。
Onthe27thofNovembertheParliamentreassembled。Onlyforty—
eighthoursbeforehadarrivedtidingsofthesurrenderofCornwallisandhisarmy;andithadconsequentlybeennecessarytorewritetheroyalspeech。Everymaninthekingdom，excepttheKing，wasnowconvincedthatitwasmeremadnesstothinkofconqueringtheUnitedStates。Inthedebateonthereportoftheaddress，Pittspokewithevenmoreenergyandbrilliancythanonanyformeroccasion。Hewaswarmlyapplaudedbyhisallies;butitwasremarkedthatnopersononhisownsideofthehousewassoloudineulogyasHenryDundas，theLordAdvocateofScotland，whospokefromtheministerialranks。Thatableandversatilepoliticiandistinctlyforesawtheapproachingdownfallofthegovernmentwithwhichhewasconnected，andwaspreparingtomakehisownescapefromtheruin。FromthatnightdateshisconnectionwithPitt，aconnectionwhichsoonbecameacloseintimacy，andwhichlastedtillitwasdissolvedbydeath。
Aboutafortnightlater，Pittspokeinthecommitteeofsupplyonthearmyestimates。SymptomsofdissensionhadbeguntoappearontheTreasurybench。LordGeorgeGermaine，theSecretaryofState，whowasespeciallychargedwiththedirectionofthewarinAmerica，hadheldlanguagenoteasilytobereconciledwithdeclarationsmadebytheFirstLordoftheTreasury。Pittnoticedthediscrepancywithmuchforceandkeenness。LordGeorgeandLordNorthbegantowhispertogether;andWelboreEllis，anancientplacemanwhohadbeendrawingsalaryalmosteveryquartersincethedaysofHenryPelham，bentdownbetweenthemtoputinaword。Suchinterruptionssometimesdiscomposeveteranspeakers。Pittstopped，and，lookingatthegroup，said，withadmirablereadiness，\"IshallwaittillNestorhascomposedthedisputebetweenAgamemnonandAchilles。\"
Afterseveraldefeats，orvictorieshardlytobedistinguishedfromdefeats，theministryresigned。TheKing，reluctantlyandungraciously，consentedtoacceptRockinghamasfirstminister。
FoxandShelburnebecameSecretariesofState。LordJohnCavendish，oneofthemostuprightandhonourableofmen，wasmadeChancelloroftheExchequer。Thurlow，whoseabilitiesandforceofcharacterhadmadehimthedictatoroftheHouseofLords，continuedtoholdthegreatseal。
ToPittwasoffered，throughShelburne，theVice—TreasurershipofIreland，oneoftheeasiestandmosthighlypaidplacesinthegiftofthecrown;buttheofferwas，withouthesitation，declined。Theyoungstatesmanhadresolvedtoacceptnopostwhichdidnotentitlehimtoaseatinthecabinet:and，inafewdayslater，heannouncedthatresolutionintheHouseofCommons。Itmustberememberedthatthecabinetwasthenamuchsmallerandmoreselectbodythanatpresent。Wehaveseencabinetsofsixteen。Inthetimeofourgrandfathersacabinetoftenorelevenwasthoughtinconvenientlylarge。Sevenwasanusualnumber。EvenBurke，whohadtakenthelucrativeofficeofpaymaster，wasnotinthecabinet。ManythereforethoughtPitt’sdeclarationindecent。Hehimselfwassorrythathehadmadeit。
Thewords，hesaidinprivate，hadescapedhimintheheatofspeaking;andhehadnosoonerutteredthemthanhewouldhavegiventheworldtorecallthem。They，however，didhimnoharmwiththepublic。ThesecondWilliamPitt，itwassaid，hadshownthathehadinheritedthespirit，aswellasthegenius，ofthefirst。Intheson，asinthefather，theremightperhapsbetoomuchpride;buttherewasnothingloworsordid。Itmightbecalledarroganceinayoungbarrister，livinginchambersonthreehundredayear，torefuseasalaryoffivethousandayear，merelybecausehedidnotchoosetobindhimselftospeakorvoteforplanswhichhehadnoshareinframing;butsurelysucharrogancewasnotveryfarremovedfromvirtue。
PittgaveageneralsupporttotheadministrationofRockingham，butomitted，inthemeantime，noopportunityofcourtingthatUltra—WhigpartywhichthepersecutionofWilkesandtheMiddlesexelectionhadcalledintoexistence，andwhichthedisastrouseventsofthewar，andthetriumphofrepublicanprinciplesinAmerica，hadmadeformidablebothinnumbersandintemper。HesupportedamotionforshorteningthedurationofParliaments。Hemadeamotionforacommitteetoexamineintothestateoftherepresentation，and，inthespeech，bywhichthatmotionwasintroduced，avowedhimselftheenemyofthecloseboroughs，thestrongholdsofthatcorruptiontowhichheattributedallthecalamitiesofthenation，andwhich，ashephraseditinoneofthoseexactandsonoroussentencesofwhichhehadaboundlesscommand，hadgrownwiththegrowthofEnglandandstrengthenedwithherstrength，buthadnotdiminishedwithherdiminutionordecayedwithherdecay。OnthisoccasionhewassupportedbyFox。Themotionwaslostbyonlytwentyvotesinahouseofmorethanthreehundredmembers。Thereformersneveragainhadsogoodadivisiontilltheyear1831。
Thenewadministrationwasstronginabilities，andwasmorepopularthananyadministrationwhichhadheldofficesincethefirstyearofGeorgetheThird，butwashatedbytheKing，hesitatinglysupportedbytheParliament，andtornbyinternaldissensions。TheChancellorwasdislikedanddistrustedbyalmostallhiscolleagues。ThetwoSecretariesofStateregardedeachotherwithnofriendlyfeeling。Thelinebetweentheirdepartmentshadnotbeentracedwithprecision;andtherewereconsequentlyjealousies，encroachments，andcomplaints。ItwasallthatRockinghamcoulddotokeepthepeaceinhiscabinet;
and，beforethecabinethadexistedthreemonths，Rockinghamdied。
Inaninstantallwasconfusion。TheadherentsofthedeceasedstatesmanlookedontheDukeofPortlandastheirchief。TheKingplacedShelburneattheheadoftheTreasury。Fox，LordJohnCavendish，andBurke，immediatelyresignedtheiroffices;
andthenewprimeministerwaslefttoconstituteagovernmentoutofverydefectivematerials。Hisownparliamentarytalentsweregreat;buthecouldnotbeintheplacewhereparliamentarytalentsweremostneeded。ItwasnecessarytofindsomememberoftheHouseofCommonswhocouldconfrontthegreatoratorsoftheopposition;andPittalonehadtheeloquenceandthecouragewhichwererequired。HewasofferedthegreatplaceofChancelloroftheExchequer;andheacceptedit。Hehadscarcelycompletedhistwenty—thirdyear。
TheParliamentwasspeedilyprorogued。Duringtherecess，anegotiationforpeacewhichhadbeencommencedunderRockinghamwasbroughttoasuccessfultermination。Englandacknowledgedtheindependenceofherrevoltedcolonies;andshecededtoherEuropeanenemiessomeplacesintheMediterraneanandintheGulfofMexico。Butthetermswhichsheobtainedwerequiteasadvantageousandhonourableastheeventsofthewarentitledhertoexpect，orasshewaslikelytoobtainbyperseveringinacontestagainstimmenseodds。Allhervitalparts，alltherealsourcesofherpower，remaineduninjured。Shepreservedevenherdignity:forshecededtotheHouseofBourbononlypartofwhatshehadwonfromthatHouseinpreviouswars。SheretainedherIndianempireundiminished;and，inspiteofthemightiesteffortsoftwogreatmonarchies，herflagstillwavedontherockofGibraltar。ThereisnottheslightestreasontobelievethatFox，ifhehadremainedinoffice，wouldhavehesitatedonemomentaboutconcludingatreatyonsuchconditions。Unhappilythatgreatandmostamiablemanwas，atthiscrisis，hurriedbyhispassionsintoanerrorwhichmadehisgeniusandhisvirtues，duringalongcourseofyears，almostuselesstohiscountry。
HesawthatthegreatbodyoftheHouseofCommonswasdividedintothreeparties，hisown，thatofNorth，andthatofShelburne;thatnoneofthosethreepartieswaslargeenoughtostandalone;that，therefore，unlesstwoofthemunited，theremustbeamiserablyfeebleadministration，ormoreprobably，arapidsuccessionofmiserablyfeebleadministrations，andthisatatimewhenastronggovernmentwasessentialtotheprosperityandrespectabilityofthenation。Itwasthennecessaryandrightthatthereshouldbeacoalition。Toeverypossiblecoalitiontherewereobjections。But，ofallpossiblecoalitions，thattowhichtherewerethefewestobjectionswasundoubtedlyacoalitionbetweenShelburneandFox。Itwouldhavebeengenerallyapplaudedbythefollowersofboth。Itmighthavebeenmadewithoutanysacrificeofpublicprincipleonthepartofeither。Unhappily，recentbickeringshadleftinthemindofFoxaprofounddislikeanddistrustofShelburne。Pittattemptedtomediate，andwasauthorisedtoinviteFoxtoreturntotheserviceoftheCrown。\"IsLordShelburne，\"saidFox，\"toremainprimeminister？\"Pittansweredintheaffirmative。\"ItisimpossiblethatIcanactunderhim，\"saidFox。\"Thennegotiationisatanend，\"saidPitt;\"forIcannotbetrayhim。\"
Thusthetwostatesmenparted。Theywereneveragaininaprivateroomtogether。
AsFoxandhisfriendswouldnottreatwithShelburne，nothingremainedtothembuttotreatwithNorth。Thatfatalcoalitionwhichisemphaticallycalled\"TheCoalition\"wasformed。NotthreequartersofayearhadelapsedsinceFoxandBurkehadthreatenedNorthwithimpeachment，andhaddescribedhim，nightafternight，asthemostarbitrary，themostcorrupt，themostincapableofministers。Theynowalliedthemselveswithhimforthepurposeofdrivingfromofficeastatesmanwithwhomtheycannotbesaidtohavedifferedastoanyimportantquestion。
Norhadtheyeventheprudenceandthepatiencetowaitforsomeoccasiononwhichtheymight，withoutinconsistency，havecombinedwiththeiroldenemiesinoppositiontothegovernment。
Thatnothingmightbewantingtothescandal，thegreatorators，whohad，duringsevenyears，thunderedagainstthewar，determinedtojoinwiththeauthorsofthatwarinpassingavoteofcensureonthepeace。
TheParliamentmetbeforeChristmas1782。ButitwasnottillJanuary1783thatthepreliminarytreatiesweresigned。Onthe17thofFebruarytheyweretakenintoconsiderationbytheHouseofCommons。Therehadbeen，duringsomedays，floatingrumoursthatFoxandNorthhadcoalesced;andthedebateindicatedbuttooclearlythatthoserumourswerenotunfounded。Pitwassufferingfromindisposition:hedidnotrisetillhisownstrengthandthatofhishearerswereexhausted;andhewasconsequentlylesssuccessfulthanonanyformeroccasion。Hisadmirersownedthathisspeechwasfeebleandpetulant。HesofarforgothimselfastoadviseSheridantoconfinehimselftoamusingtheatricalaudiences。ThisignoblesarcasmgaveSheridananopportunityofretortingwithgreatfelicity。\"AfterwhatI
haveseenandheardto—night，\"hesaid，\"IreallyfeelstronglytemptedtoventureonacompetitionwithsogreatanartistasBenJonson，andtobringonthestageasecondAngryBoy。\"Onadivision，theaddressproposedbythesupportersofthegovernmentwasrejectedbyamajorityofsixteen。
ButPittwasnotamantobedisheartenedbyasinglefailure，ortobeputdownbythemostlivelyrepartee。Whenafewdayslater，theoppositionproposedaresolutiondirectlycensuringthetreaties，hespokewithaneloquence，energy，anddignitywhichraisedhisfameandpopularityhigherthanever。TothecoalitionofFoxandNorthhealludedinlanguagewhichdrewforthtumultuousapplausefromhisfollowers。\"If，\"hesaid，\"thisill—omenedandunnaturalmarriagebenotyetconsummated，I
knowofajustandlawfulimpediment;and，inthenameofthepublicweal，Iforbidthebanns。\"
Theministerswereagainleftinaminority;andShelburneconsequentlytenderedhisresignation。Itwasaccepted;buttheKingstruggledlongandhardbeforehesubmittedtothetermsdictatedbyFox，whosefaultshedetested，andwhosehighspiritandpowerfulintellecthedetestedstillmore。ThefirstplaceattheboardofTreasurywasrepeatedlyofferedtoPitt;buttheoffer，thoughtempting，wassteadfastlydeclined。Theyoungman，whosejudgmentwasasprecociousashiseloquence，sawthathistimewascoming，butwasnotcome，andwasdeaftoroyalimportunitiesandreproaches。HisMajesty，bitterlycomplainingofPitt’sfaintheartedness，triedtobreakthecoalition。EveryartofseductionwaspractisedonNorth，butinvain。Duringseveralweeksthecountryremainedwithoutagovernment。Itwasnottillalldeviceshadfailed，andtilltheaspectoftheHouseofCommonsbecamethreatening，thattheKinggaveway。TheDukeofPortlandwasdeclaredFirstLordoftheTreasury。Thurlowwasdismissed。FoxandNorthbecameSecretariesofState，withpowerostensiblyequal。ButFoxwastherealprimeminister。
Theyearwasfaradvancedbeforethenewarrangementswerecompleted;andnothingveryimportantwasdoneduringtheremainderofthesession。Pitt，nowseatedontheoppositionbench，broughtthequestionofparliamentaryreformasecondtimeundertheconsiderationoftheCommons。HeproposedtoaddtotheHouseatonceahundredcountymembersandseveralmembersformetropolitandistricts，andtoenactthateveryboroughofwhichanelectioncommitteeshouldreportthatthemajorityofvotersappearedtobecorruptshouldlosethefranchise。Themotionwasrejectedby293votesto149。
Aftertheprorogation，PittvisitedtheContinentforthefirstandlasttime。Histravellingcompanionwasoneofhismostintimatefriends，ayoungmanofhisownage，whohadalreadydistinguishedhimselfinParliamentbyanengagingnaturaleloquence，setoffbythesweetestandmostexquisitelymodulatedofhumanvoices，andwhoseaffectionateheart，caressingmanners，andbrilliantwit，madehimthemostdelightfulofcompanions，WilliamWilberforce。ThatwasthetimeofAnglomaniainFrance;
andatParisthesonofthegreatChathamwasabsolutelyhuntedbymenoflettersandwomenoffashion，andforced，muchagainsthiswill，intopoliticaldisputation。Oneremarkablesayingwhichdroppedfromhimduringthistourhasbeenpreserved。A
FrenchgentlemanexpressedsomesurpriseattheimmenseinfluencewhichFox，amanofpleasure，ruinedbythedice—boxandtheturf，exercisedovertheEnglishnation。\"Youhavenot，\"saidPitt，\"beenunderthewandofthemagician。\"
InNovember1783theParliamentmetagain。ThegovernmenthadirresistiblestrengthintheHouseofCommons，andseemedtobescarcelylessstrongintheHouseofLords，butwas，intruth，surroundedoneverysidebydangers。TheKingwasimpatientlywaitingforthemomentatwhichhecouldemancipatehimselffromayokewhichgalledhimsoseverelythathehadmorethanonceseriouslythoughtofretiringtoHanover;andtheKingwasscarcelymoreeagerforachangethanthenation。FoxandNorthhadcommittedafatalerror。Theyoughttohaveknownthatcoalitionsbetweenpartieswhichhavelongbeenhostilecansucceedonlywhenthewishforcoalitionpervadesthelowerranksofboth。Iftheleadersunitebeforethereisanydispositiontounionamongthefollowers，theprobabilityisthattherewillbeamutinyinbothcamps，andthatthetworevoltedarmieswillmakeatrucewitheachother，inordertoberevengedonthosebywhomtheythinkthattheyhavebeenbetrayed。Thusitwasin1783。Atthebeginningofthateventfulyear，NorthhadbeentherecognisedheadoftheoldToryparty，which，thoughforamomentprostratedbythedisastrousissueoftheAmericanwar，wasstillagreatpowerinthestate。Tohimtheclergy，theuniversities，andthatlargebodyofcountrygentlemenwhoserallyingcrywas\"ChurchandKing，\"hadlonglookedupwithrespectandconfidence。Foxhad，ontheotherhand，beentheidoloftheWhigs，andofthewholebodyofProtestantdissenters。ThecoalitionatoncealienatedthemostzealousToriesfromNorth，andthemostzealousWhigsfromFox。TheUniversityofOxford，whichhadmarkeditsapprobationofNorth’sorthodoxybyelectinghimchancellor，thecityofLondon，whichhadbeenduringtwoandtwentyyearsatwarwiththeCourt，wereequallydisgusted。
Squiresandrectors，whohadinheritedtheprinciplesofthecavaliersoftheprecedingcentury，couldnotforgivetheiroldleaderforcombiningwithdisloyalsubjectsinordertoputaforceonthesovereign。ThemembersoftheBillofRightsSocietyandoftheReformAssociationswereenragedbylearningthattheirfavouriteoratornowcalledthegreatchampionoftyrannyandcorruptionhisnoblefriend。Twogreatmultitudeswereatonceleftwithoutanyhead，andbothatonceturnedtheireyesonPitt。OnepartysawinhimtheonlymanwhocouldrescuetheKing;theothersawinhimtheonlymanwhocouldpurifytheParliament。HewassupportedononesidebyArchbishopMarkham，thepreacherofdivineright，andbyJenkinson，thecaptainofthePraetorianbandoftheKing’sfriends;ontheothersidebyJebbandPriestley，SawbridgeandCartwright，JackWilkesandHorneTooke。OnthebenchesoftheHouseofCommons，however，theranksoftheministerialmajoritywereunbroken;andthatanystatesmanwouldventuretobravesuchamajoritywasthoughtimpossible。NoprinceoftheHanoverianlinehadever，underanyprovocation，venturedtoappealfromtherepresentativebodytotheconstituentbody。Theministers，therefore，notwithstandingthesullenlooksandmutteredwordsofdispleasurewithwhichtheirsuggestionswerereceivedinthecloset，notwithstandingtheroarofobloquywhichwasrisinglouderandloudereverydayfromeverycorneroftheisland，thoughtthemselvessecure。
Suchwastheirconfidenceintheirstrengththat，assoonastheParliamenthadmet，theybroughtforwardasingularlyboldandoriginalplanforthegovernmentoftheBritishterritoriesinIndia。Whatwasproposedwasthatthewholeauthority，whichtillthattimehadbeenexercisedoverthoseterritoriesbytheEastIndiaCompany，shouldbetransferredtosevenCommissionerswhoweretobenamedbyParliament，andwerenottoberemovableatthepleasureoftheCrown。EarlFitzwilliam，themostintimatepersonalfriendofFox，wastobechairmanofthisboard;andtheeldestsonofNorthwastobeoneofthemembers。
Assoonastheoutlinesoftheschemewereknown，allthehatredwhichthecoalitionhadexcitedburstforthwithanastoundingexplosion。Thequestionwhichoughtundoubtedlytohavebeenconsideredasparamounttoeveryotherwas，whethertheproposedchangewaslikelytobebeneficialorinjurioustothethirtymillionsofpeoplewhoweresubjecttotheCompany。Butthatquestioncannotbesaidtohavebeenevenseriouslydiscussed。
Burke，who，whetherrightorwrongintheconclusionstowhichhecame，hadatleastthemeritoflookingatthesubjectintherightpointofview，vainlyremindedhishearersofthatmightypopulationwhosedailyricemightdependonavoteoftheBritishParliament。Hespoke，withevenmorethanhiswontedpowerofthoughtandlanguage，aboutthedesolationofRohilcund，aboutthespoliationofBenares，abouttheevilpolicywhichhadsufferedthetanksoftheCarnatictogotoruin;buthecouldscarcelyobtainahearing。Thecontendingparties，totheirshameitmustbesaid，wouldlistentononebutEnglishtopics。
Outofdoorsthecryagainsttheministrywasalmostuniversal。
Townandcountrywereunited。Corporationsexclaimedagainsttheviolationofthecharterofthegreatestcorporationintherealm。Toriesanddemocratsjoinedinpronouncingtheproposedboardanunconstitutionalbody。ItwastoconsistofFox’snominees。Theeffectofhisbillwastogive，nottotheCrown，buttohimpersonally，whetherinofficeorinopposition，anenormouspower，apatronagesufficienttocounterbalancethepatronageoftheTreasuryandoftheAdmiralty，andtodecidetheelectionsforfiftyboroughs。Heknew，itwassaid，thathewashatefulaliketoKingandpeople;andhehaddevisedaplanwhichwouldmakehimindependentofboth。SomenicknamedhimCromwell，andsomeCarloKhan。Wilberforce，withhisusualfelicityofexpression，andwithveryunusualbitternessoffeeling，describedtheschemeasthegenuineoffspringofthecoalition，asmarkedbythefeaturesofbothitsparents，thecorruptionofoneandtheviolenceoftheother。Inspiteofallopposition，however，thebillwassupportedineverystagebygreatmajorities，wasrapidlypassedandwassentuptotheLords。Tothegeneralastonishment，whenthesecondreadingwasmovedintheUpperHouse，theoppositionproposedanadjournment，andcarrieditbyeighty—sevenvotestoseventy—nine。Thecauseofthisstrangeturnoffortunewassoonknown。Pitt’scousin，EarlTemple，hadbeenintheroyalcloset，andhadtherebeenauthorisedtoletitbeknownthatHisMajestywouldconsiderallwhovotedforthebillashisenemies。Theignominiouscommissionwasperformed;andinstantlyatroopofLordsoftheBedchamber，ofBishopswhowishedtobetranslated，andofScotchpeerswhowishedtobere—elected，madehastetochangesides。
Onalaterday，theLordsrejectedthebill。FoxandNorthwereimmediatelydirectedtosendtheirsealstothepalacebytheirUnderSecretaries;andPittwasappointedFirstLordoftheTreasuryandChancelloroftheExchequer。
Thegeneralopinionwas，thattherewouldbeanimmediatedissolution。ButPittwiselydeterminedtogivethepublicfeelingtimetogatherstrength。OnthispointhedifferedfromhiskinsmanTemple。Theconsequencewas，thatTemple，whohadbeenappointedoneoftheSecretariesofState，resignedhisofficeforty—eighthoursafterhehadacceptedit，andthusrelievedthenewgovernmentfromagreatloadofunpopularity;
forallmenofsenseandhonour，howeverstrongmightbetheirdislikeoftheIndiaBill，disapprovedofthemannerinwhichthatbillhadbeenthrownout。Templecarriedawaywithhimthescandalwhichthebestfriendsofthenewgovernmentcouldnotbutlament。Thefameoftheyoungprimeministerpreserveditswhiteness。Hecoulddeclarewithperfecttruththat，ifunconstitutionalmachinationshadbeenemployed，hehadbeennopartytothem。
Hewas，however，surroundedbydifficultiesanddangers。IntheHouseofLords，indeed，hehadamajority;norcouldanyoratoroftheoppositioninthatassemblybeconsideredasamatchforThurlow，whowasnowagainChancellor，orforCamden，whocordiallysupportedthesonofhisoldfriendChatham。ButintheotherHousetherewasnotasingleeminentspeakeramongtheofficialmenwhosateroundPitt。HismostusefulassistantwasDundas，who，thoughhehadnoteloquence，hadsense，knowledge，readiness，andboldness。Ontheoppositebencheswasapowerfulmajority，ledbyFox，whowassupportedbyBurke，North，andSheridan。Theheartoftheyoungminister，stoutasitwas，almostdiedwithinhim。HecouldnotonceclosehiseyesonthenightwhichfollowedTemple’sresignation。But，whateverhisinternalemotionsmightbe，hislanguageanddeportmentindicatednothingbutunconquerablefirmnessandhaughtyconfidenceinhisownpowers。HiscontestagainsttheHouseofCommonslastedfromthe17thofDecember1783，tothe8thofMarch1784。Insixteendivisionstheoppositiontriumphed。AgainandagaintheKingwasrequestedtodismisshisministers。ButhewasdeterminedtogotoGermanyratherthanyield。Pitt’sresolutionneverwavered。
Thecryofthenationinhisfavourbecamevehementandalmostfurious。Addressesassuringhimofpublicsupportcameupdailyfromeverypartofthekingdom。ThefreedomofthecityofLondonwaspresentedtohiminagoldbox。Hewentinstatetoreceivethismarkofdistinction。HewassumptuouslyfeastedinGrocers’Hall;andtheshopkeepersoftheStrandandFleetStreetilluminatedtheirhousesinhishonour。ThesethingscouldnotbutproduceaneffectwithinthewallsofParliament。Theranksofthemajoritybegantowaver;afewpassedovertotheenemy;
someskulkedaway;manywereforcapitulatingwhileitwasstillpossibletocapitulatewiththehonoursofwar。Negotiationswereopenedwiththeviewofforminganadministrationonawidebasis;buttheyhadscarcelybeenopenedwhentheywereclosed。
Theoppositiondemanded，asapreliminaryarticleofthetreaty，thatPittshouldresigntheTreasury;andwiththisdemandPitsteadfastlyrefusedtocomply。Whilethecontestwasraging，theClerkshipofthePells，asinecureplaceforlife，worththreethousandayear，andtenablewithaseatintheHouseofCommons，becamevacant。TheappointmentwaswiththeChancelloroftheExchequer:nobodydoubtedthathewouldappointhimself;andnobodycouldhaveblamedhimifhehaddoneso:forsuchsinecureofficeshadalwaysbeendefendedonthegroundthattheyenabledafewmenofeminentabilitiesandsmallincomestolivewithoutanyprofession，andtodevotethemselvestotheserviceofthestate。Pitt，inspiteoftheremonstrancesofhisfriends，gavethePellstohisfather’soldadherent，ColonelBarre，amandistinguishedbytalentandeloquence，butpoorandafflictedwithblindness。BythisarrangementapensionwhichtheRockinghamadministrationhadgrantedtoBarrewassavedtothepublic。Neverwasthereahappierstrokeofpolicy。Abouttreaties，wars，expeditions，tariffs，budgets，therewillalwaysberoomfordispute。Thepolicywhichisapplaudedbyhalfthenationmaybecondemnedbytheotherhalf。Butpecuniarydisinterestednesseverybodycomprehends。Itisagreatthingforamanwhohasonlythreehundredayeartobeabletoshowthatheconsidersthreethousandayearasmeredirtbeneathhisfeet，whencomparedwiththepublicinterestandthepublicesteem。
Pitthadhisreward。Noministerwasevermorerancorouslylibelled;but，evenwhenhewasknowntobeoverwhelmedwithdebt，whenmillionswerepassingthroughhishands，whenthewealthiestmagnatesoftherealmweresolicitinghimformarquisatesandgarters，hisbitterestenemiesdidnotdaretoaccusehimoftouchingunlawfulgain。
Atlengththehardfoughtfightended。Afinalremonstrance，drawnupbyBurkewithadmirableskill，wascarriedonthe8thofMarchbyasinglevoteinafullHouse。Hadtheexperimentbeenrepeated，thesupportersofthecoalitionwouldprobablyhavebeeninaminority。Butthesupplieshadbeenvoted;theMutinyBillhadbeenpassed;andtheParliamentwasdissolved。
Thepopularconstituentbodiesalloverthecountrywereingeneralenthusiasticonthesideofthenewgovernment。A
hundredandsixtyofthesupportersofthecoalitionlosttheirseats。TheFirstLordoftheTreasuryhimselfcameinattheheadofthepollfortheUniversityofCambridge。Hisyoungfriend，Wilberforce，waselectedknightofthegreatshireofYork，inoppositiontothewholeinfluenceoftheFitzwilliams，Cavendishes，Dundases，andSaviles。InthemidstofsuchtriumphsPittcompletedhistwenty—fifthyear。HewasnowthegreatestsubjectthatEnglandhadseenduringmanygenerations。
Hedomineeredabsolutelyoverthecabinet，andwasthefavouriteatonceoftheSovereign，oftheParliament，andofthenation。
Hisfatherhadneverbeensopowerful，norWalpole，norMarlborough。