Thisnarrativehasnowreachedapoint，beyondwhichafullhistoryofthelifeofPittwouldbeahistoryofEngland，orratherofthewholecivilisedworld;andforsuchahistorythisisnottheproperplace。Hereaveryslightsketchmustsuffice;
andinthatsketchprominencewillbegiventosuchpointsasmayenableareaderwhoisalreadyacquaintedwiththegeneralcourseofeventstoformajustnotionofthecharacterofthemanonwhomsomuchdepended。
IfwewishtoarriveatacorrectjudgmentofPitt’smeritsanddefects，wemustneverforgetthathebelongedtoapeculiarclassofstatesmen，andthathemustbetriedbyapeculiarstandard。ItisnoteasytocomparehimfairlywithsuchmenasXimenesandSully，RichelieuandOxenstiern，JohndeWitt，andWarrenHastings。ThemeansbywhichthosepoliticiansgovernedgreatcommunitieswereofquiteadifferentkindfromthosewhichPittwasunderthenecessityofemploying。Sometalents，whichtheyneverhadanyopportunityofshowingthattheypossessed，weredevelopedinhimtoanextraordinarydegree。Insomequalities，ontheotherhand，towhichtheyowealargepartoftheirfame，hewasdecidedlytheirinferior。Theytransactedbusinessintheirclosets，oratboardswhereafewconfidentialcouncillorssate。Itwashislottobeborninanageandinacountryinwhichparliamentarygovernmentwascompletelyestablished。Hiswholetrainingfrominfancywassuchasfittedhimtobearapartinparliamentarygovernment;and，fromtheprimeofhismanhoodtohisdeath，allthepowersofhisvigorousmindwerealmostconstantlyexertedintheworkofparliamentarygovernment。Heaccordinglybecamethegreatestmasterofthewholeartofparliamentarygovernmentthathaseverexisted，agreaterthanMontagueorWalpole，agreaterthanhisfatherChatham，orhisrivalFox，agreaterthaneitherofhisillustrioussuccessors，CanningandPeel。
Parliamentarygovernment，likeeveryothercontrivanceofman，hasitsadvantagesanddisadvantages。Ontheadvantagesthereisnoneedtodilate。ThehistoryofEnglandduringthehundredandseventyyearswhichhaveelapsedsincetheHouseofCommonsbecamethemostpowerfulbodyinthestate，herimmenseandstillgrowingprosperity，herfreedom，hertranquillity，hergreatnessinarts，insciences，andinarms，hermaritimeascendency，themarvelsofherpubliccredit，herAmerican，herAfrican，herAustralian，herAsiaticempires，sufficientlyprovetheexcellenceofherinstitutions。Butthoseinstitutions，thoughexcellent，areassuredlynotperfect。Parliamentarygovernmentisgovernmentbyspeaking。Insuchagovernment，thepowerofspeakingisthemosthighlyprizedofallthequalitieswhichapoliticiancanpossess:andthatpowermayexist，inthehighestdegree，withoutjudgment，withoutfortitude，withoutskillinreadingthecharactersofmenorthesignsofthetimes，withoutanyknowledgeoftheprinciplesoflegislationorofpoliticaleconomy，andwithoutanyskillindiplomacyorintheadministrationofwar。Nay，itmaywellhappenthatthoseveryintellectualqualitieswhichgiveapeculiarcharmtothespeechesofapublicmanmaybeincompatiblewiththequalitieswhichwouldfithimtomeetapressingemergencywithpromptitudeandfirmness。ItwasthuswithCharlesTownshend。ItwasthuswithWindham。Itwasaprivilegetolistentothoseaccomplishedandingeniousorators。ButinaperilouscrisistheywouldhavebeenfoundfarinferiorinallthequalitiesofrulerstosuchamanasOliverCromwell，whotalkednonsense，orasWilliamtheSilent，whodidnottalkatall。Whenparliamentarygovernmentisestablished，aCharlesTownshendoraWindhamwillalmostalwaysexercisemuchgreaterinfluencethansuchmenasthegreatProtectorofEngland，orasthefounderoftheBataviancommonwealth。Insuchagovernment，parliamentarytalent，thoughquitedistinctfromthetalentsofagoodexecutiveorjudicialofficer，willbeachiefqualificationforexecutiveandjudicialoffice。FromtheBookofDignitiesacuriouslistmightbemadeoutofChancellorsignorantoftheprinciplesofequity，andFirstLordsoftheAdmiraltyignorantoftheprinciplesofnavigation，ofColonialministerswhocouldnotrepeatthenamesoftheColonies，ofLordsoftheTreasurywhodidnotknowthedifferencebetweenfundedandunfundeddebt，andofSecretariesoftheIndiaBoardwhodidnotknowwhethertheMahrattaswereMahometansorHindoos。Onthesegrounds，somepersons，incapableofseeingmorethanonesideofaquestion，havepronouncedparliamentarygovernmentapositiveevil，andhavemaintainedthattheadministrationwouldbegreatlyimprovedifthepower，nowexercisedbyalargeassembly，weretransferredtoasingleperson。Menofsensewillprobablythinktheremedyverymuchworsethanthedisease，andwillbeofopinionthattherewouldbesmallgaininexchangingCharlesTownshendandWindhamforthePrinceofthePeace，orthepoorslaveanddogSteenie。
Pittwasemphaticallythemanofparliamentarygovernment，thetypeofhisclass，theminion，thechild，thespoiledchild，oftheHouseofCommons。FortheHouseofCommonshehadahereditary，aninfantinelove。Throughhiswholeboyhood，theHouseofCommonswasneveroutofhisthoughts，oroutofthethoughtsofhisinstructors。Recitingathisfather’sknee，readingThucydidesandCicerointoEnglish，analysingthegreatAtticspeechesontheEmbassyandontheCrown，hewasconstantlyintrainingfortheconflictsoftheHouseofCommons。HewasadistinguishedmemberoftheHouseofCommonsattwenty—one。TheabilitywhichhehaddisplayedintheHouseofCommonsmadehimthemostpowerfulsubjectinEuropebeforehewastwenty—five。
Itwouldhavebeenhappyforhimselfandforhiscountryifhiselevationhadbeendeferred。Eightortenyears，duringwhichhewouldhavehadleisureandopportunityforreadingandreflection，forforeigntravel，forsocialintercourseandfreeexchangeofthoughtonequaltermswithagreatvarietyofcompanions，wouldhavesuppliedwhat，withoutanyfaultonhispart，waswantingtohispowerfulintellect。Hehadalltheknowledgethathecouldbeexpectedtohave;thatistosay，alltheknowledgethatamancanacquirewhileheisastudentatCambridge，andalltheknowledgethatamancanacquirewhenheisFirstLordoftheTreasuryandChancelloroftheExchequer。
Butthestockofgeneralinformationwhichhebroughtfromcollege，extraordinaryforaboy，wasfarinferiortowhatFoxpossessed，andbeggarlywhencomparedwiththemassy，thesplendid，thevarioustreasureslaidupinthelargemindofBurke。AfterPittbecameminister，hehadnoleisuretolearnmorethanwasnecessaryforthepurposesofthedaywhichwaspassingoverhim。Whatwasnecessaryforthosepurposessuchamancouldlearnwithlittledifficulty。Hewassurroundedbyexperiencedandablepublicservants。Hecouldatanymomentcommandtheirbestassistance。Fromthestoreswhichtheyproducedhisvigorousmindrapidlycollectedthematerialsforagoodparliamentarycase;andthatwasenough。Legislationandadministrationwerewithhimsecondarymatters。Totheworkofframingstatutes，ofnegotiatingtreaties，oforganisingfleetsandarmies，ofsendingforthexpeditions，hegaveonlytheleavingsofhistimeandthedregsofhisfineintellect。Thestrengthandsapofhismindwerealldrawninadifferentdirection。ItwaswhentheHouseofCommonswastobeconvincedandpersuadedthatheputforthallhispowers。
Ofthosepowerswemustformourestimatechieflyfromtradition;
forofalltheeminentspeakersofthelastagePitthassufferedmostfromthereporters。Evenwhilehewasstillliving，criticsremarkedthathiseloquencecouldnotbepreserved，thathemustbeheardtobeappreciated。TheymorethanonceappliedtohimthesentenceinwhichTacitusdescribesthefateofasenatorwhoserhetoricwasadmiredintheAugustanage:\"Hateriicanorumilludetprofluenscumipsosimulexstinctumest。\"Thereis，however，abundantevidencethatnaturehadbestowedonPittthetalentsofagreatorator;andthosetalentshadbeendevelopedinaverypeculiarmanner，firstbyhiseducation，andsecondlybythehighofficialpositiontowhichheroseearly，andinwhichhepassedthegreaterpartofhispubliclife。
AthisfirstappearanceinParliamentheshowedhimselfsuperiortoallhiscontemporariesincommandoflanguage。Hecouldpourforthalongsuccessionofroundandstatelyperiods，withoutpremeditation，withouteverpausingforaword，withouteverrepeatingaword，inavoiceofsilverclearness，andwithapronunciationsoarticulatethatnotaletterwasslurredover。
HehadlessamplitudeofmindandlessrichnessofimaginationthanBurke，lessingenuitythanWindham，lesswitthanSheridan，lessperfectmasteryofdialecticalfence，andlessofthathighestsortofeloquencewhichconsistsofreasonandpassionfusedtogether，thanFox。YetthealmostunanimousjudgmentofthosewhowereinthehabitoflisteningtothatremarkableraceofmenplacedPitt，asaspeaker，aboveBurke，aboveWindham，aboveSheridan，andnotbelowFox。Hisdeclamationwascopious，polished，andsplendid。Inpowerofsarcasmhewasprobablynotsurpassedbyanyspeaker，ancientormodern;andofthisformidableweaponhemademercilessuse。Intwopartsoftheoratoricalartwhichareofthehighestvaluetoaministerofstatehewassingularlyexpert。Nomanknewbetterhowtobeluminousorhowtobeobscure。Whenhewishedtobeunderstood，heneverfailedtomakehimselfunderstood。Hecouldwitheasepresenttohisaudience，notperhapsanexactorprofound，butaclear，popular，andplausibleviewofthemostextensiveandcomplicatedsubject。Nothingwasoutofplace;nothingwasforgotten;minutedetails，dates，sumsofmoney，wereallfaithfullypreservedinhismemory。Evenintricatequestionsoffinance，whenexplainedbyhim，seemedcleartotheplainestmanamonghishearers。Ontheotherhand，whenhedidnotwishtobeexplicit，——andnomanwhoisattheheadofaffairsalwayswishestobeexplicit，——hehadamarvellouspowerofsayingnothinginlanguagewhichleftonhisaudiencetheimpressionthathehadsaidagreatdeal。Hewasatoncetheonlymanwhocouldopenabudgetwithoutnotes，andtheonlymanwho，asWindhamsaid，couldspeakthatmostelaboratelyevasiveandunmeaningofhumancompositions，aKing’sspeech，withoutpremeditation。
Theeffectoforatorywillalwaystoagreatextentdependonthecharacteroftheorator。Thereperhapsneverweretwospeakerswhoseeloquencehadmoreofwhatmaybecalledtherace，moreoftheflavourimpartedbymoralqualities，thanFoxandPitt。ThespeechesofFoxoweagreatpartoftheircharmtothatwarmthandsoftnessofheart，thatsympathywithhumansuffering，thatadmirationforeverythinggreatandbeautiful，andthathatredofcrueltyandinjustice，whichinterestanddelightuseveninthemostdefectivereports。Noperson，ontheotherhand，couldhearPittwithoutperceivinghimtobeamanofhigh，intrepid，andcommandingspirit，proudlyconsciousofhisownrectitudeandofhisownintellectualsuperiority，incapableofthelowvicesoffearandenvy，buttoopronetofeelandtoshowdisdain。Pride，indeed，pervadedthewholeman，waswrittenintheharsh，rigidlinesofhisface，wasmarkedbythewayinwhichhewalked，inwhichhesate，inwhichhestood，and，aboveall，inwhichhebowed。Suchpride，ofcourse，inflictedmanywounds。Itmayconfidentlybeaffirmedthattherecannotbefound，inallthetenthousandinvectiveswrittenagainstFox，awordindicatingthathisdemeanourhadevermadeasinglepersonalenemy。Ontheotherhand，severalmenofnotewhohadbeenpartialtoPitt，andwhotothelastcontinuedtoapprovehispublicconductandtosupporthisadministration，Cumberland，forexample，Boswell，andMatthias，weresomuchirritatedbythecontemptwithwhichhetreatedthem，thattheycomplainedinprintoftheirwrongs。Buthispride，thoughitmadehimbitterlydislikedbyindividuals，inspiredthegreatbodyofhisfollowersinParliamentandthroughoutthecountrywithrespectandconfidence。Theytookhimathisownvaluation。Theysawthathisself—esteemwasnotthatofanupstart，whowasdrunkwithgoodluckandwithapplause，andwho，iffortuneturned，wouldsinkfromarroganceintoabjecthumility。ItwasthatofthemagnanimousmansofinelydescribedbyAristotleintheEthics，ofthemanwhothinkshimselfworthyofgreatthings，beingintruthworthy。Itsprangfromaconsciousnessofgreatpowersandgreatvirtues，andwasneversoconspicuouslydisplayedasinthemidstofdifficultiesanddangerswhichwouldhaveunnervedandboweddownanyordinarymind。Itwascloselyconnected，too，withanambitionwhichhadnomixtureoflowcupidity。Therewassomethingnobleinthecynicaldisdainwithwhichthemightyministerscatteredrichesandtitlestorightandleftamongthosewhovaluedthem，whilehespurnedthemoutofhisownway。
Poorhimself，hewassurroundedbyfriendsonwhomhehadbestowedthreethousand，sixthousand，tenthousandayear。
PlainMisterhimself，hehadmademorelordsthananythreeministersthathadprecededhim。Thegarter，forwhichthefirstdukesinthekingdomwerecontending，wasrepeatedlyofferedtohim，andofferedinvain。
Thecorrectnessofhisprivatelifeaddedmuchtothedignityofhispubliccharacter。Intherelationsofson，brother，uncle，master，friend，hisconductwasexemplary。Inthesmallcircleofhisintimateassociates，hewasamiable，affectionate，evenplayful。Theylovedhimsincerely;theyregrettedhimlong;andtheywouldhardlyadmitthathewhowassokindandgentlewiththemcouldbesternandhaughtywithothers。Heindulged，indeed，somewhattoofreelyinwine，whichhehadearlybeendirectedtotakeasamedicine，andwhichusehadmadeanecessaryoflifetohim。Butitwasveryseldomthatanyindicationofundueexcesscouldbedetectedinhistonesorgestures;and，intruth，twobottlesofportwerelittlemoretohimthantwodishesoftea。Hehad，whenhewasfirstintroducedintotheclubsofSaintJames’sStreet，shownastrongtasteforplay;buthehadtheprudenceandtheresolutiontostopbeforethistastehadacquiredthestrengthofhabit。Fromthepassionwhichgenerallyexercisesthemosttyrannicaldominionovertheyounghepossessedanimmunity，whichisprobablytobeascribedpartlytohistemperamentandpartlytohissituation。Hisconstitutionwasfeeble;hewasveryshy;andhewasverybusy。
ThestrictnessofhismoralsfurnishedsuchbuffoonsasPeterPindarandCaptainMorriswithaninexhaustiblethemeformerrimentofnoverydelicatekind。ButthegreatbodyofthemiddleclassofEnglishmencouldnotseethejoke。Theywarmlypraisedtheyoungstatesmanforcommandinghispassions，andforcoveringhisfrailties，ifhehadfrailties，withdecorousobscurity，andwouldhavebeenveryfarindeedfromthinkingbetterofhimifhehadvindicatedhimselffromthetauntsofhisenemiesbytakingunderhisprotectionaNancyParsonsoraMarianneClark。
NopartoftheimmensepopularitywhichPittlongenjoyedistobeattributedtotheeulogiesofwitsandpoets。Itmighthavebeennaturallyexpectedthatamanofgenius，oflearning，oftaste，anoratorwhosedictionwasoftencomparedtothatofTully，therepresentative，too，ofagreatuniversity，wouldhavetakenapeculiarpleasureinbefriendingeminentwriters，towhateverpoliticalpartytheymighthavebelonged。TheloveofliteraturehadinducedAugustustoheapbenefitsonPompeians，Somerstobetheprotectorofnonjurors，HarleytomakethefortunesofWhigs。ButitcouldnotmovePitttoshowanyfavoureventoPittites。Hewasdoubtlessrightinthinkingthat，ingeneral，poetry，history，andphilosophyoughttobesuffered，likecalicoandcutlery，tofindtheirproperpriceinthemarket，andthattoteachmenofletterstolookhabituallytothestatefortheirrecompenseisbadforthestateandbadforletters。Assuredlynothingcanbemoreabsurdormischievousthantowastethepublicmoneyinbountiesforthepurposeofinducingpeoplewhooughttobeweighingoutgroceryormeasuringoutdraperytowritebadormiddlingbooks。But，thoughthesoundruleisthatauthorsshouldbelefttoberemuneratedbytheirreaders，therewill，ineverygeneration，beafewexceptionstothisrule。Todistinguishthesespecialcasesfromthemassisanemploymentwellworthyofthefacultiesofagreatandaccomplishedruler;andPittwouldassuredlyhavehadlittledifficultyinfindingsuchcases。Whilehewasinpower，thegreatestphilologistoftheage，hisowncontemporaryatCambridge，wasreducedtoearnalivelihoodbythelowestliterarydrudgery，andtospendinwritingsquibsforthe\"MorningChronicle\"yearstowhichwemighthaveowedanallbutperfecttextofthewholetragicandcomicdramaofAthens。Thegreatesthistorianoftheage，forcedbypovertytoleavehiscountry，completedhisimmortalworkontheshoresofLakeLeman。
ThepoliticalheterodoxyofPorson，andthereligiousheterodoxyofGibbon，mayperhapsbepleadedindefenceoftheministerbywhomthoseeminentmenwereneglected。Buttherewereothercasesinwhichnosuchexcusecouldbesetup。ScarcelyhadPittobtainedpossessionofunboundedpowerwhenanagedwriterofthehighesteminence，whohadmadeverylittlebyhiswritings，andwhowassinkingintothegraveunderaloadofinfirmitiesandsorrows，wantedfiveorsixhundredpoundstoenablehim，duringthewinterortwowhichmightstillremaintohim，todrawhisbreathmoreeasilyinthesoftclimateofItaly。Notafarthingwastobeobtained;andbeforeChristmastheauthoroftheEnglishDictionaryandoftheLivesofthePoetshadgaspedhislastintheriverfogandcoalsmokeofFleetStreet。AfewmonthsafterthedeathofJohnsonappearedtheTask，incomparablythebestpoemthatanyEnglishmanthenlivinghadproduced——apoem，too，whichcouldhardlyfailtoexciteinawellconstitutedmindafeelingofesteemandcompassionforthepoet，amanofgeniusandvirtue，whosemeanswerescanty，andwhomthemostcruelofallthecalamitiesincidenttohumanityhadmadeincapableofsupportinghimselfbyvigorousandsustainedexertion。NowherehadChathambeenpraisedwithmoreenthusiasm，orinversemoreworthyofthesubject，thanintheTask。ThesonofChatham，however，contentedhimselfwithreadingandadmiringthebook，andlefttheauthortostarve。Thepensionwhich，longafter，enabledpoorCowpertoclosehismelancholylife，unmolestedbydunsandbailiffs，wasobtainedforhimbythestrenuouskindnessofLordSpencer。WhatacontrastbetweenthewayinwhichPittactedtowardsJohnsonandthewayinwhichLordGreyactedtowardshispoliticalenemyScott，whenScott，wornoutbymisfortuneanddisease，wasadvisedtotrytheeffectoftheItalianair！WhatacontrastbetweenthewayinwhichPittactedtowardsCowperandthewayinwhichBurke，apoormanandoutofplace，actedtowardsCrabbe！EvenDundas，whomadenopretensionstoliterarytaste，andwascontenttobeconsideredasahardheadedandsomewhatcoarsemanofbusiness，was，whencomparedwithhiseloquentandclassicallyeducatedfriend，aMaecenasoraLeo。DundasmadeBurnsanexciseman，withseventypoundsayear;andthiswasmorethanPitt，duringhislongtenureofpower，didfortheencouragementofletters。Eventhosewhomaythinkthatitis，ingeneral，nopartofthedutyofagovernmenttorewardliterarymeritwillhardlydenythatagovernment，whichhasmuchlucrativechurchprefermentinitsgift，isbound，indistributingthatpreferment，nottooverlookdivineswhosewritingshaverenderedgreatservicetothecauseofreligion。ButitseemsnevertohaveoccurredtoPittthathelayunderanysuchobligation。Allthetheologicalworksofallthenumerousbishopswhomhemadeandtranslatedarenot，whenputtogether，worthfiftypagesoftheHoraePaulinae，oftheNaturalTheology，oroftheViewoftheEvidencesofChristianity。ButonPaleytheall—powerfulministerneverbestowedthesmallbenefice。ArtistsPittreasonedascontemptuouslyaswriters。Forpaintinghedidsimplynothing。
Sculptors，whohadbeenselectedtoexecutemonumentsvotedbyParliament，hadtohaunttheante—chambersoftheTreasuryduringmanyyearsbeforetheycouldobtainafarthingfromhim。Oneofthem，aftervainlysolicitingtheministerforpaymentduringfourteenyears，hadthecouragetopresentamemorialtotheKing，andthusobtainedtardyandungraciousjustice。Architectsitwasabsolutelynecessarytoemploy;andtheworstthatcouldbefoundseemtohavebeenemployed。Notasinglefinepublicbuildingofanykindorinanystylewaserectedduringhislongadministration。Itmaybeconfidentlyaffirmedthatnorulerwhoseabilitiesandattainmentswouldbearanycomparisonwithhishasevershownsuchcolddisdainforwhatisexcellentinartsandletters。
Hisfirstadministrationlastedseventeenyears。Thatlongperiodisdividedbyastronglymarkedlineintotwoalmostexactlyequalparts。Thefirstpartendedandthesecondbeganintheautumnof1792。ThroughoutbothpartsPittdisplayedinthehighestdegreethetalentsofaparliamentaryleader。Duringthefirstparthewasafortunateand，inmanyrespects，askilfuladministrator。Withthedifficultieswhichhehadtoencounterduringthesecondparthewasaltogetherincapableofcontending:buthiseloquenceandhisperfectmasteryofthetacticsoftheHouseofCommonsconcealedhisincapacityfromthemultitude。
Theeightyearswhichfollowedthegeneralelectionof1784wereastranquilandprosperousasanyeightyearsinthewholehistoryofEngland。Neighbouringnationswhichhadlatelybeeninarmsagainsther，andwhichhadflatteredthemselvesthat，inlosingherAmericancolonies，shehadlostachiefsourceofherwealthandofherpower，saw，withwonderandvexation，thatshewasmorewealthyandmorepowerfulthanever。Hertradeincreased。Hermanufacturesflourished。Herexchequerwasfulltooverflowing。Veryidleapprehensionsweregenerallyentertained，thatthepublicdebt，thoughmuchlessthanathirdofthedebtwhichwenowbearwithease，wouldbefoundtooheavyforthestrengthofthenation。Thoseapprehensionsmightnotperhapshavebeeneasilyquietedbyreason。ButPittquietedthembyajuggle。Hesucceededinpersuadingfirsthimself，andthenthewholenation，hisopponentsincluded，thatanewsinkingfund，which，sofarasitdifferedfromformersinkingfunds，differedfortheworse，would，byvirtueofsomemysteriouspowerofpropagationbelongingtomoney，putintothepocketofthepubliccreditorgreatsumsnottakenoutofthepocketofthetax—payer。Thecountry，terrifiedbyadangerwhichwasnodanger，hailedwithdelightandboundlessconfidencearemedywhichwasnoremedy。Theministerwasalmostuniversallyextolledasthegreatestoffinanciers。MeanwhileboththebranchesoftheHouseofBourbonfoundthatEnglandwasasformidableanantagonistasshehadeverbeen。FrancehadformedaplanforreducingHollandtovassalage。ButEnglandinterposed;andFrancereceded。SpaininterruptedbyviolencethetradeofourmerchantswiththeregionsneartheOregon。ButEnglandarmed;andSpainreceded。Withintheislandtherewasprofoundtranquillity。TheKingwas，forthefirsttime，popular。Duringthetwenty—threeyearswhichhadfollowedhisaccessionhehadnotbeenlovedbyhissubjects。Hisdomesticvirtueswereacknowledged。Butitwasgenerallythoughtthatthegoodqualitiesbywhichhewasdistinguishedinprivatelifewerewantingtohispoliticalcharacter。AsaSovereign，hewasresentful，unforgiving，stubborn，cunning。Underhisrulethecountryhadsustainedcrueldisgracesanddisasters;andeveryoneofthosedisgracesanddisasterswasimputedtohisstrongantipathies，andtohisperverseobstinacyinthewrong。Onestatesmanafteranothercomplainedthathehadbeeninducedbyroyalcaresses，intreaties，andpromises，toundertakethedirectionofaffairsatadifficultconjuncture，andthat，assoonashehad，notwithoutsullyinghisfame，andalienatinghisbestfriends，servedtheturnforwhichhewaswanted，hisungratefulmasterbegantointrigueagainsthim，andtocanvassagainsthim。Grenville，Rockingham，Chatham，menofwidelydifferentcharacters，butallthreeuprightandhigh—spirited，agreedinthinkingthatthePrinceunderwhomtheyhadsuccessivelyheldthehighestplaceingovernmentwasoneofthemostinsincereofmankind。Hisconfidencewasreposed，theysaid，notinthoseknownandresponsiblecounsellorstowhomhehaddeliveredthesealsofoffice，butinsecretadviserswhostoleupthebackstairsintohiscloset。InParliamenthisministers，whiledefendingthemselvesagainsttheattacksoftheoppositioninfront，wereperpetually，athisinstigation，assailedontheflankorintherearbyavilebandofmercenarieswhocalledthemselveshisfriends。Thesemenconstantly，whileinpossessionoflucrativeplacesinhisservice，spokeandvotedagainstbillswhichhehadauthorisedtheFirstLordoftheTreasuryortheSecretaryofStatetobringin。ButfromthedayonwhichPittwasplacedattheheadofaffairstherewasanendofsecretinfluence。Hishaughtyandaspiringspiritwasnottobesatisfiedwiththemereshowofpower。AnyattempttounderminehimatCourt，anymutinousmovementamonghisfollowersintheHouseofCommons，wascertaintobeatonceputdown。Hehadonlytotenderhisresignation;
andhecoulddictatehisownterms。Forhe，andhealone，stoodbetweentheKingandtheCoalition。HewasthereforelittlelessthanMayorofthePalace。ThenationloudlyapplaudedtheKingforhavingthewisdomtoreposeentireconfidenceinsoexcellentaminister。HisMajesty’sprivatevirtuesnowbegantoproducetheirfulleffect。Hewasgenerallyregardedasthemodelofarespectablecountrygentleman，honest，good—natured，sober，religious。Heroseearly:hedinedtemperately:hewasstrictlyfaithfultohiswife:henevermissedchurch;andatchurchhenevermissedaresponse。Hispeopleheartilyprayedthathemightlongreignoverthem;andtheyprayedthemoreheartilybecausehisvirtuesweresetofftothebestadvantagebythevicesandfolliesofthePrinceofWales，wholivedincloseintimacywiththechiefsoftheopposition。
Howstrongthisfeelingwasinthepublicmindappearedsignallyononegreatoccasion。Intheautumnof1788theKingbecameinsane。Theopposition，eagerforoffice，committedthegreatindiscretionofassertingthattheheirapparenthad，bythefundamentallawsofEngland，arighttobeRegentwiththefullpowersofroyalty。Pitt，ontheotherhand，maintainedittobetheconstitutionaldoctrinethat，whenaSovereignis，byreasonofinfancy，disease，orabsence，incapableofexercisingtheregalfunctions，itbelongstotheEstatesoftherealmtodeterminewhoshallbethevicegerentandwithwhatportionoftheexecutiveauthoritysuchvicegerentshallbeentrusted。A
longandviolentcontestfollowed，inwhichPittwassupportedbythegreatbodyofthepeoplewithasmuchenthusiasmasduringthefirstmonthsofhisadministration。Torieswithonevoiceapplaudedhimfordefendingthesick—bedofavirtuousandunhappySovereignagainstadisloyalfactionandanundutifulson。NotafewWhigsapplaudedhimforassertingtheauthorityofParliamentsandtheprinciplesoftheRevolution，inoppositiontoadoctrinewhichseemedtohavetoomuchaffinitywiththeserviletheoryofindefeasiblehereditaryright。Themiddleclass，alwayszealousonthesideofdecencyandthedomesticvirtues，lookedforwardwithdismaytoareignresemblingthatofCharlesII。Thepalace，whichhadnowbeen，duringthirtyyears，thepatternofanEnglishhome，wouldbeapublicnuisance，aschoolofprofligacy。TothegoodKing’srepastofmuttonandlemonade，despatchedatthreeo’clock，wouldsucceedmidnightbanquets，fromwhichtheguestswouldbecarriedhomespeechless。TothebackgammonboardatwhichthegoodKingplayedforalittlesilverwithhisequerries，wouldsucceedfarotablesfromwhichyoungpatricianswhohadsatedownrichwouldriseupbeggars。Thedrawing—room，fromwhichthefrownoftheQueenhadrepelledawholegenerationoffrailbeauties，wouldnowbeagainwhatithadbeeninthedaysofBarbaraPalmerandLouisadeQuerouaille。Nay，severelyasthepublicreprobatedthePrince’smanyillicitattachments，hisonevirtuousattachmentwasreprobatedmoreseverelystill。EveningraveandpiouscircleshisProtestantmistressesgavelessscandalthanhisPopishwife。ThathemustbeRegentnobodyventuredtodeny。
ButheandhisfriendsweresounpopularthatPittcould，withgeneralapprobation，proposetolimitthepowersoftheRegentbyrestrictionstowhichitwouldhavebeenimpossibletosubjectaPrincebelovedandtrustedbythecountry。Someinterestedmen，fullyexpectingachangeofadministration，wentovertotheopposition。Butthemajority，purifiedbythesedesertions，closeditsranks，andpresentedamorefirmarraythanevertotheenemy。IneverydivisionPittwasvictorious。Whenatlength，afterastormyinterregnumofthreemonths，itwasannounced，ontheveryeveoftheinaugurationoftheRegent，thattheKingwashimselfagain，thenationwaswildwithdelight。OntheeveningofthedayonwhichHisMajestyresumedhisfunctions，aspontaneousillumination，themostgeneralthathadeverbeenseeninEngland，brightenedthewholevastspacefromHighgatetoTooting，andfromHammersmithtoGreenwich。Onthedayonwhichhereturnedthanksinthecathedralofhiscapital，allthehorsesandcarriageswithinahundredmilesofLondonweretoofewforthemultitudeswhichflockedtoseehimpassthroughthestreets。Asecondilluminationfollowed，whichwasevensuperiortothefirstinmagnificence。PittwithdifficultyescapedfromthetumultuouskindnessofaninnumerablemultitudewhichinsistedondrawinghiscoachfromSaintPaul’sChurchyardtoDowningStreet。Thiswasthemomentatwhichhisfameandfortunemaybesaidtohavereachedthezenith。HisinfluenceintheclosetwasasgreatasthatofCarrorVilliershadbeen。HisdominionovertheParliamentwasmoreabsolutethanthatofWalpoleofPelhamhadbeen。HewasatthesametimeashighinthefavourofthepopulaceaseverWilkesorSacheverellhadbeen。Nothingdidmoretoraisehischaracterthanhisnoblepoverty。Itwaswell—knownthat，ifhehadbeendismissedfromofficeaftermorethanfiveyearsofboundlesspower，hewouldhardlyhavecarriedoutwithhimasumsufficienttofurnishthesetofchambersinwhich，ashecheerfullydeclared，hemeanttoresumethepracticeofthelaw。Hisadmirers，however，werebynomeansdisposedtosufferhimtodependondailytoilforhisdailybread。ThevoluntarycontributionswhichwereawaitinghisacceptanceinthecityofLondonalonewouldhavesufficedtomakehimarichman。Butitmaybedoubtedwhetherhishaughtyspiritwouldhavestoopedtoacceptaprovisionsohonourablyearnedandsohonourablybestowed。
Tosuchaheightofpowerandgloryhadthisextraordinarymanrisenattwenty—nineyearsofage。Andnowthetidewasontheturn。OnlytendaysafterthetriumphalprocessiontoSaintPaul’s，theStates—GeneralofFrance，afteranintervalofahundredandseventy—fouryears，metatVersailles。
ThenatureofthegreatRevolutionwhichfollowedwaslongveryimperfectlyunderstoodinthiscountry。Burkesawmuchfurtherthananyofhiscontemporaries:butwhateverhissagacitydescriedwasrefractedanddiscolouredbyhispassionsandhisimagination。MorethanthreeyearselapsedbeforetheprinciplesoftheEnglishadministrationunderwentanymaterialchange。
Nothingcouldasyetbemilderormorestrictlyconstitutionalthantheminister’sdomesticpolicy。Notasingleactindicatinganarbitrarytemperorajealousyofthepeoplecouldbeimputedtohim。HehadneverappliedtoParliamentforanyextraordinarypowers。Hehadneverusedwithharshnesstheordinarypowersentrustedbytheconstitutiontotheexecutivegovernment。Notasinglestateprosecutionwhichwouldevennowbecalledoppressivehadbeeninstitutedbyhim。Indeed，theonlyoppressivestateprosecutioninstitutedduringthefirsteightyearsofhisadministrationwasthatofStockdale，whichistobeattributednottothegovernment，buttothechiefsoftheopposition。InofficePitthadredeemedthepledgeswhichhehad，athisentranceintopubliclife，giventothesupportersofparliamentaryreform。Hehad，in1785，broughtforwardajudiciousplanfortheimprovementoftherepresentativesystem，andhadprevailedontheKing，notonlytorefrainfromtalkingagainstthatplan，buttorecommendittotheHousesinaspeechfromthethrone。（ThespeechwithwhichtheKingopenedthesessionof1785，concludedwithanassurancethatHisMajestywouldheartilyconcurineverymeasurewhichcouldtendtosecurethetrueprinciplesoftheconstitution。ThesewordswereatthetimeunderstoodtorefertoPitt’sReformBill。）Thisattemptfailed;buttherecanbelittledoubtthat，iftheFrenchRevolutionhadnotproducedaviolentreactionofpublicfeeling，Pittwouldhaveperformed，withlittledifficultyandnodanger，thatgreatworkwhich，atalaterperiod，LordGreycouldaccomplishonlybymeanswhichforatimeloosenedtheveryfoundationsofthecommonwealth。WhentheatrocitiesoftheslavetradewerefirstbroughtundertheconsiderationofParliament，noabolitionistwasmorezealousthanPitt。WhensicknesspreventedWilberforcefromappearinginpublic，hisplacewasmostefficientlysuppliedbyhisfriendtheminister。
Ahumanebill，whichmitigatedthehorrorsofthemiddlepassage，was，in1788，carriedbytheeloquenceanddeterminedspiritofPitt，inspiteoftheoppositionofsomeofhisowncolleagues;
anditoughtalwaystoberememberedtohishonourthat，inordertocarrythatbill，hekepttheHousessitting，inspiteofmanymurmurs，longafterthebusinessofthegovernmenthadbeendone，andtheAppropriationActpassed。In1791hecordiallyconcurredwithFoxinmaintainingthesoundconstitutionaldoctrine，thatanimpeachmentisnotterminatedbyadissolution。Inthecourseofthesameyearthetwogreatrivalscontendedsidebysideinafarmoreimportantcause。Theyarefairlyentitledtodividethehighhonourofhavingaddedtoourstatute—booktheinestimablelawwhichplacesthelibertyofthepressundertheprotectionofjuries。Ononeoccasion，andonealone，Pitt，duringthefirsthalfofhislongadministration，actedinamannerunworthyofanenlightenedWhig。InthedebateontheTestAct，hestoopedtogratifythemasterwhomheserved，theuniversitywhichherepresented，andthegreatbodyofclergymenandcountrygentlemenonwhosesupportherested，bytalking，withlittleheartiness，indeed，andwithnoasperity，thelanguageofaTory。
Withthissingleexception，hisconductfromtheendof1783tothemiddleof1792wasthatofanhonestfriendofcivilandreligiousliberty。
Nordidanything，duringthatperiod，indicatethathelovedwar，orharbouredanymalevolentfeelingagainstanyneighbouringnation。ThoseFrenchwriterswhohaverepresentedhimasaHannibalsworninchildhoodbyhisfathertobeareternalhatredtoFrance，ashavingbymysteriousintriguesandlavishbribes，instigatedtheleadingJacobinstocommitthoseexcesseswhichdishonouredtheRevolution，ashavingbeentherealauthorofthefirstcoalition，knownothingofhischaracterorofhishistory。
SofarwashefrombeingadeadlyenemytoFrance，thathislaudableattemptstobringaboutacloserconnectionwiththatcountrybymeansofawiseandliberaltreatyofcommercebroughtonhimtheseverecensureoftheopposition。HewastoldintheHouseofCommonsthathewasadegenerateson，andthathispartialityforthehereditaryfoesofourislandwasenoughtomakehisgreatfather’sbonesstirunderthepavementoftheAbbey。
Andthisman，whosename，ifhehadbeensofortunateastodiein1792，wouldnowhavebeenassociatedwithpeace，withfreedom，withphilanthropy，withtemperatereform，withmildandconstitutionaladministration，livedtoassociatehisnamewitharbitrarygovernment，withharshlawsharshlyexecuted，withalienbills，withgaggingbills，withsuspensionsoftheHabeasCorpusAct，withcruelpunishmentsinflictedonsomepoliticalagitators，withunjustifiableprosecutionsinstitutedagainstothers，andwiththemostcostlyandmostsanguinarywarsofmoderntimes。HelivedtobehelduptoobloquyasthesternoppressorofEngland，andtheindefatigabledisturberofEurope。
Poets，contrastinghisearlierwithhislateryears，likenedhimsometimestotheapostlewhokissedinordertobetray，andsometimestotheevilangelswhokeptnottheirfirstestate。A
satiristofgreatgeniusintroducedthefiendsofFamine，Slaughter，andFire，proclaimingthattheyhadreceivedtheircommissionfromOnewhosenamewasformedoffourletters，andpromisingtogivetheiremployerampleproofsofgratitude。
Faminewouldgnawthemultitudetilltheyshouldriseupagainsthiminmadness。Thedemonofslaughterwouldimpelthemtotearhimfromlimbtolimb。ButFireboastedthatshealonecouldrewardhimashedeserved，andthatshewouldclingroundhimtoalleternity。BytheFrenchpressandtheFrenchtribuneeverycrimethatdisgracedandeverycalamitythatafflictedFrancewasascribedtothemonsterPittandhisguineas。WhiletheJacobinsweredominant，itwashewhohadcorruptedtheGironde，whohadraisedLyonsandBordeauxagainsttheConvention，whohadsubornedParistoassassinateLepelletier，andCeciliaRegnaulttoassassinateRobespierre。WhentheThermidorianreactioncame，alltheatrocitiesoftheReignofTerrorwereimputedtohim。
ColletD’HerboisandFouquierTinvillehadbeenhispensioners。
ItwashewhohadhiredthemurderersofSeptember，whohaddictatedthepamphletsofMaratandtheCarmagnolesofBarere，whohadpaidLebontodelugeArraswithblood，andCarriertochoketheLoirewithcorpses。
Thetruthis，thathelikedneitherwarnorarbitrarygovernment。
Hewasaloverofpeaceandfreedom，driven，byastressagainstwhichitwashardlypossibleforanywilloranyintellecttostruggle，outofthecoursetowhichhisinclinationspointed，andforwhichhisabilitiesandacquirementsfittedhim，andforcedintoapolicyrepugnanttohisfeelingsandunsuitedtohistalents。
Thechargeofapostasyisgrosslyunjust。Amanoughtnomoretobecalledanapostatebecausehisopinionsalterwiththeopinionsofthegreatbodyofhiscontemporariesthanheoughttobecalledanorientaltravellerbecauseheisalwaysgoingroundfromwesttoeastwiththeglobeandeverythingthatisuponit。
Betweenthespringof1789andthecloseof1792，thepublicmindofEnglandunderwentagreatchange。IfthechangeofPitt’ssentimentsattractedpeculiarnotice，itwasnotbecausehechangedmorethanhisneighbours;forinfacthechangedlessthanmostofthem;butbecausehispositionwasfarmoreconspicuousthantheirs，becausehewas，tillBonaparteappeared，theindividualwhofilledthegreatestspaceintheeyesoftheinhabitantsofthecivilisedworld。Duringashorttimethenation，andPitt，asoneofthenation，lookedwithinterestandapprobationontheFrenchRevolution。Butsoonvastconfiscations，theviolentsweepingawayofancientinstitutions，thedominationofclubs，thebarbaritiesofmobsmaddenedbyfamineandhatred，producedareactionhere。Thecourt，thenobility，thegentry，theclergy，themanufacturers，themerchants，inshort，nineteen—twentiethsofthosewhohadgoodroofsovertheirheadsandgoodcoatsontheirbacks，becameeagerandintolerantAntijacobins。Thisfeelingwasatleastasstrongamongtheminister’sadversariesasamonghissupporters。
Foxinvainattemptedtorestrainhisfollowers。Allhisgenius，allhisvastpersonalinfluence，couldnotpreventthemfromrisingupagainsthimingeneralmutiny。Burkesettheexampleofrevolt;andBurkewasinnolongtimejoinedbyPortland，Spencer，Fitzwilliam，Loughborough，Carlisle，Malmesbury，Windham，Elliot。IntheHouseofCommons，thefollowersofthegreatWhigstatesmanandoratordiminishedfromaboutahundredandsixtytofifty。IntheHouseofLordshehadbuttenortwelveadherentsleft。TherecanbenodoubtthattherewouldhavebeenasimilarmutinyontheministerialbenchesifPitthadobstinatelyresistedthegeneralwish。Pressedatoncebyhismasterandbyhiscolleagues，byoldfriendsandbyoldopponents，heabandoned，slowlyandreluctantly，thepolicywhichwasdeartohisheart。HelabouredhardtoaverttheEuropeanwar。WhentheEuropeanwarbrokeout，hestillflatteredhimselfthatitwouldnotbenecessaryforthiscountrytotakeeitherside。Inthespringof1792hecongratulatedtheParliamentontheprospectoflongandprofoundpeace，andprovedhissinceritybyproposinglargeremissionsoftaxation。DowntotheendofthatyearhecontinuedtocherishthehopethatEnglandmightbeabletopreserveneutrality。ButthepassionswhichragedonbothsidesoftheChannelwerenottoberestrained。TherepublicanswhoruledFrancewereinflamedbyafanaticismresemblingthatoftheMussulmanswho，withtheKoraninonehandandtheswordintheother，wentforth，conqueringandconverting，eastwardtotheBayofBengal，andwestwardtothePillarsofHercules。ThehigherandmiddleclassesofEnglandwereanimatedbyzealnotlessfierythanthatoftheCrusaderswhoraisedthecryofDeusvultatClermont。Theimpulsewhichdrovethetwonationstoacollisionwasnottobearrestedbytheabilitiesorbytheauthorityofanysingleman。AsPittwasinfrontofhisfellows，andtoweredhighabovethem，heseemedtoleadthem。Butinfacthewasviolentlypushedonbythem，and，hadheheldbackbutalittlemorethanhedid，wouldhavebeenthrustoutoftheirwayortrampledundertheirfeet。
Heyieldedtothecurrent:andfromthatdayhismisfortunesbegan。Thetruthisthattherewereonlytwoconsistentcoursesbeforehim。Sincehedidnotchoosetoopposehimself，sidebysidewithFox，tothepublicfeeling，heshouldhavetakentheadviceofBurke，andshouldhaveavailedhimselfofthatfeelingtothefullextent。Ifitwasimpossibletopreservepeace，heshouldhaveadoptedtheonlypolicywhichcouldleadtovictory。
HeshouldhaveproclaimedaHolyWarforreligion，morality，property，order，publiclaw，andshouldhavethusopposedtotheJacobinsanenergyequaltotheirown。Unhappilyhetriedtofindamiddlepath;andhefoundonewhichunitedallthatwasworstinbothextremes。Hewenttowar:buthewouldnotunderstandthepeculiarcharacterofthatwar。Hewasobstinatelyblindtotheplainfact，thathewascontendingagainstastatewhichwasalsoasect，andthatthenewquarrelbetweenEnglandandFrancewasofquiteadifferentkindfromtheoldquarrelsaboutcoloniesinAmericaandfortressesintheNetherlands。Hehadtocombatfranticenthusiasm，boundlessambition，restlessactivity，thewildestandmostaudaciousspiritofinnovation;andheactedasifhehadtodealwiththeharlotsandfopsoftheoldCourtofVersailles，withMadamedePompadourandtheAbbedeBernis。Itwaspitiabletohearhim，yearafteryear，provingtoanadmiringaudiencethatthewickedRepublicwasexhausted，thatshecouldnotholdout，thathercreditwasgone，andherassignatswerenotworthmorethanthepaperofwhichtheyweremade;asifcreditwasnecessarytoagovernmentofwhichtheprinciplewasrapine，asifAlboincouldnotturnItalyintoadeserttillhehadnegotiatedaloanatfivepercent。，asiftheexchequerbillsofAttilahadbeenatpar。Itwasimpossiblethatamanwhosocompletelymistookthenatureofacontestcouldcarryonthatcontestsuccessfully。
GreatasPitt’sabilitieswere，hismilitaryadministrationwasthatofadriveller。Hewasattheheadofanationengagedinastruggleforlifeanddeath，ofanationeminentlydistinguishedbyallthephysicalandallthemoralqualitieswhichmakeexcellentsoldiers。Theresourcesathiscommandwereunlimited。
TheParliamentwasevenmorereadytogranthimmenandmoneythanhewastoaskforthem。Insuchanemergency，andwithsuchmeans，suchastatesmanasRichelieu，asLouvois，asChatham，asWellesley，wouldhavecreatedinafewmonthsoneofthefinestarmiesintheworld，andwouldsoonhavediscoveredandbroughtforwardgeneralsworthytocommandsuchanarmy。GermanymighthavebeensavedbyanotherBlenheim;FlandersrecoveredbyanotherRamilies;anotherPoitiersmighthavedeliveredtheRoyalistandCatholicprovincesofFrancefromayokewhichtheyabhorred，andmighthavespreadterroreventothebarriersofParis。Butthefactis，that，aftereightyearsofwar，afteravastdestructionoflife，afteranexpenditureofwealthfarexceedingtheexpenditureoftheAmericanwar，oftheSevenYears’War，ofthewaroftheAustrianSuccession，andofthewaroftheSpanishSuccession，united，theEnglisharmy，underPitt，wasthelaughing—stockofallEurope。Itcouldnotboastofonesinglebrilliantexploit。IthadnevershownitselfontheContinentbuttobebeaten，chased，forcedtore—embark，orforcedtocapitulate。TotakesomesugarislandintheWestIndies，toscattersomemobofhalf—nakedIrishpeasants，suchwerethemostsplendidvictorieswonbytheBritishtroopsunderPitt’sauspices。
TheEnglishnavynomismanagementcouldruin。Butduringalongperiodwhatevermismanagementcoulddowasdone。TheEarlofChatham，withoutasinglequalificationforhighpublictrust，wasmade，byfraternalpartiality，FirstLordoftheAdmiralty，andwaskeptinthatgreatpostduringtwoyearsofawarinwhichtheveryexistenceofthestatedependedontheefficiencyofthefleet。Hecontinuedtodozeawayandtrifleawaythetimewhichoughttohavebeendevotedtothepublicservice，tillthewholemercantilebody，thoughgenerallydisposedtosupportthegovernment，complainedbitterlythatourflaggavenoprotectiontoourtrade。FortunatelyhewassucceededbyGeorgeEarlSpencer，oneofthosechiefsoftheWhigpartywho，inthegreatschismcausedbytheFrenchRevolution，hadfollowedBurke。LordSpencer，thoughinferiortomanyofhiscolleaguesasanorator，wasdecidedlythebestadministratoramongthem。Tohimitwasowingthatalongandgloomysuccessionofdaysoffasting，and，mostemphatically，ofhumiliation，wasinterrupted，twiceintheshortspaceofelevenmonths，bydaysofthanksgivingforgreatvictories。
ItmayseemparadoxicaltosaythattheincapacitywhichPittshowedinallthatrelatedtotheconductofthewaris，insomesense，themostdecisiveproofthathewasamanofveryextraordinaryabilities。Yetthisisthesimpletruth。Forassuredlyone—tenthpartofhiserrorsanddisasterswouldhavebeenfataltothepowerandinfluenceofanyministerwhohadnotpossessed，inthehighestdegree，thetalentsofaparliamentaryleader。Whilehisschemeswereconfounded，whilehispredictionswerefalsified，whilethecoalitionswhichhehadlabouredtoformwerefallingtopieces，whiletheexpeditionswhichhehadsentforthatenormouscostwereendinginroutanddisgrace，whiletheenemyagainstwhomhewasfeeblycontendingwassubjugatingFlandersandBrabant，theElectorateofMentz，andtheElectorateofTreves，Holland，Piedmont，Liguria，Lombardy，hisauthorityovertheHouseofCommonswasconstantlybecomingmoreandmoreabsolute。Therewashisempire。Therewerehisvictories，hisLodiandhisArcola，hisRivoliandhisMarengo。
Ifsomegreatmisfortune，apitchedbattlelostbytheallies，theannexationofanewdepartmenttotheFrenchRepublic，asanguinaryinsurrectioninIreland，amutinyinthefleet，apanicinthecity，arunonthebank，hadspreaddismaythroughtheranksofhismajority，thatdismaylastedonlytillherosefromtheTreasurybench，drewuphishaughtyhead，stretchedhisarmwithcommandinggesture，andpouredforth，indeepandsonoroustones，theloftylanguageofinextinguishablehopeandinflexibleresolution。Thus，throughalongandcalamitousperiod，everydisasterthathappenedwithoutthewallsofParliamentwasregularlyfollowedbyatriumphwithinthem。Atlengthhehadnolongeranoppositiontoencounter。Ofthegreatpartywhichhadcontendedagainsthimduringthefirsteightyearsofhisadministrationmorethanonehalfnowmarchedunderhisstandard，withhisoldcompetitortheDukeofPortlandattheirhead;andtheresthad，aftermanyvainstruggles，quittedthefieldindespair。FoxhadretiredtotheshadesofStAnne’sHill，andhadtherefound，inthesocietyoffriendswhomnovicissitudecouldestrangefromhim，ofawomanwhomhetenderlyloved，andoftheillustriousdeadofAthens，ofRome，andofFlorence，amplecompensationforallthemisfortunesofhispubliclife。Sessionfollowedsessionwithscarcelyasingledivision。Intheeventfulyear1799，thelargestminoritythatcouldbemusteredagainstthegovernmentwastwenty—five。
InPitt’sdomesticpolicytherewasatthistimeassuredlynowantofvigour。WhileheofferedtoFrenchJacobinismaresistancesofeeblethatitonlyencouragedtheevilwhichhewishedtosuppress，heputdownEnglishJacobinismwithastronghand。TheHabeasCorpusActwasrepeatedlysuspended。Publicmeetingswereplacedundersevererestraints。Thegovernmentobtainedfromparliamentpowertosendoutofthecountryalienswhoweresuspectedofevildesigns;andthatpowerwasnotsufferedtobeidle。Writerswhopropoundeddoctrinesadversetomonarchyandaristocracywereproscribedandpunishedwithoutmercy。Itwashardlysafeforarepublicantoavowhispoliticalcreedoverhisbeefsteakandhisbottleofportatachop—house。
TheoldlawsofScotlandagainstsedition，lawswhichwereconsideredbyEnglishmenasbarbarous，andwhichasuccessionofgovernmentshadsufferedtorust，werenowfurbishedupandsharpenedanew。Menofcultivatedmindsandpolishedmannerswere，foroffenceswhichatWestminsterwouldhavebeentreatedasmeremisdemeanours，senttoherdwithfelonsatBotanyBay。
Somereformers，whoseopinionswereextravagant，andwhoselanguagewasintemperate，butwhohadneverdreamedofsubvertingthegovernmentbyphysicalforce，wereindictedforhightreason，andweresavedfromthegallowsonlybytherighteousverdictsofjuries。Thisseveritywasatthetimeloudlyapplaudedbyalarmistswhomfearhadmadecruel，butwillbeseeninaverydifferentlightbyposterity。Thetruthis，thattheEnglishmenwhowishedforarevolutionwere，eveninnumber，notformidable，andineverythingbutnumber，afactionutterlycontemptible，withoutarms，orfunds，orplans，ororganisation，orleader。
TherecanbenodoubtthatPitt，strongashewasinthesupportofthegreatbodyofthenation，mighteasilyhaverepressedtheturbulenceofthediscontentedminoritybyfirmlyyettemperatelyenforcingtheordinarylaw。Whatevervigourheshowedduringthisunfortunatepartofhislifewasvigouroutofplaceandseason。Hewasallfeeblenessandlangourinhisconflictwiththeforeignenemywhowasreallytobedreaded，andreservedallhisenergyandresolutionforthedomesticenemywhomightsafelyhavebeendespised。