The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1806-01-24 00:00:00

of suo4 rare and ittraoidinary endowinents," ;eauld
argue not only presumption, iiut folly, and the total
Absence of every quality necessary for to great an
undertaking. It would bespeak a mind not sudi•
ciently impressed with the grandeur of the stihjea,
and protar.ing, with a hasty hand, that which shoohl
be approached with reverence and awe. We shall,

therefore, attempt little more than a summary

of the principal measures that diitingulihed his
ministerial career, a space en:bracing twenty-four
years, and the principal events which agitated the
political world, during that important and tatcreat-

ing period.
Mr. Pi T r was born,May 8, 17,9, at a time 4.-hen
his father's glory was at its zenith ; and when, in
consequence of the wisdom of his councils, and the
vigour and promptitude of his decisions, British
valour reigned triumphant in every part of the
globe. lie was, after the usual coarse of study.
in the University of Cambridge, entered a student

of Lincoln's Inn, and made so rapid a progress
in his legal studies, as to be soon called to the bar,
with every prosped of success. We understand,
that he once or twice went upon the Western

Circuit, and appeared as junior Counsel in several
causes. He was, however, destined to fill a more

ienpnrtant station in the Government of his eosin.
try, than is usually obtained through the channel
of l.tw. At the general Eleaion, 1; 80, he was
nominated by some of the most respeaable per-
sons in Cambridge, as a candidate to represent
that University ; but, notwithstanding the high
chars ft..r be had obtained there, he fcund very
few to second his pretensions. In the following
year, however, he was retnrned for the borough
of Appleby, by the interest of Sir J. LOWTHER.
On taking his seat in the House of Commons, he
enlisted himself on the side of the party which
had constantly opposed the Minister, Lord No TU,
and the American war, and which regarded him
with a degree of veneration ; recognising in his
person the genius of his illustrious father, revived
and acting, as it were, in h;m. His first speech
was in favour of Mr. &lOU'S bill ; and one of the
first ails in which he took the lead in that House,
was extremely well calculated to increase his popu-
larity ; this was his motion for a Cc:nmittee to
consult upon the most effeatsal means to accom-
plish a more equal representati,4l of the people in
Parliament. His propositions were, indeed, re-
jeeted ; but he continued to repeat and renew them
from time to time : and thus kept up the public at.
tentinn to this great objea, which was, conse-
quently, more generally canvassed than it ever

had been before.
On the death of the Marquis of Roc.:tmonam,
the Old Whig Party fell into a state of disunion,
nearly bordering upon dissolution. A new arrange-
ment took place aeon after, and the late Marquis of
Lat•snowNa, then Lord Sszt.guatir, became the
First Lord of the Treasury, assisted by Mr. PITT,
who astonished the country, and, indeed, all Eu-
rope, by the phenomenon of a Chancellor of the
Exchequer at the age of twenty-three!
His popularity at this period effettually screened
him from every charge which !.is youth and inex-
perience might justly have warranted, and which
were strongly urged against him by the adverse
faCtion. The situation of the COUVf y was extremely
critical. The American war had become ge-
nerally odious ; and all hearts panted for a cessa-
tion of hostilities. This desirable objelt was,
therefore, the first consideration with the new Mi-
Pistry.

The Combined Powers had recently experienced
great humiliations, and consequently the opportu-
nity was not to be lost. A general peace accord-
ingly took place ; but the terms of it were repro-
bated by a considerable part of the nation. On
this occasion, Mr. PITT delivered a most masterly
defence of l.imself and his colleagues, which pro-
diced a corresponding, Clough not successful ef-
lea. The Administration, of which he was one of
the most distinguished members, was, therefore,
short-lived. On its dissolution, the young States-
man withdrew into retirement, and afterwards went
abroad for some time, visiting Italy, and several of
the German Courts.
On the Coalition-Ministry com:ng into place, Mr.
MANSFIELD'S seat ler the University became va-
cant, by accepting the office of Solicitor-Gener:ii,
and Mr. Purr determined to oppose him: with
this view, he went down to Cambridge; hilt was
treated with contempt by the heads and senior
members. From such a scene he retired in a few
days, in disgust ; though the assurances of sup-
port, from several independent %lister, of Arts,
kept alive the scanty hopes of future success. A
few months, however, changed the scene ; the
Coalition-Minstry was thrown out ; he repaired ' in
triumph to the University, was received with open
arms, carried his ektion by means of a considera-
ble majority, and was able, also, by his influence,
to make Lord Eusros his colleague.
An occasion., suddenly offered, in 1784, for bring-

iag Mr. P:TT forward once more on the gent
theatre of politics. as a candidate for fame aad
power. The British dominions in Ind.a had
long been in an alarming situation, and it was
generally admitted, that an immediate remedy
was 111(14;W ...11)1y necessary to preserve them.

With this view, Mr. For, then Secretary of State,

formed, digested, and brought forward his famous
India Bill, which he carried through its several
stages with a high hand. This measure was
particularly r,ffens-ive to the great body, whom
it immediately aieded. Lord. NORTH, and his
new allies, were accordingly dismissed, ant: that

too in a very unconstitutional manner, -and Mr.
Ptyr, the new Premier, was assisted by the advice
of Lord Tory stow, as Keeper of the Great Seal
arrangements which, at that time, were, however,
only considered as temporary
Ile now astonished the commercial and political
world, by his own India BIM He had, moreover,
the mortification to find the majority of the Hons.
of Commons against him ; and he was placed in
the peculiar situation of a Minister aging with a
minority. and that too in opposiLion to the strongest .
contra of talents ever combined aAainst any A
nistratiort. He, however, remained firm in hit stat.
amidst a general coninsien ; and though the Mori
had petitioned His MAJ XS? T to dismiss him and his.
coadjutors, he ventured to inform the Represents.
rives of the natioa, that their petition could not be
complied with!
The commercial treaty with France, was a bold
scheme, and evinced deep political and mercantile
knowledge. One of the most critical circumstances

in the annals of Mr. PITVS Administration, was the
period when the regal powers were, in a manner,
unhappily suspended, and all the wisdom of the
Legislature was required to firm a Regency. Ic
was a crisis, not only novel, but of extreme magnia
tude, as likely to become the precedent for future
times ; no such incident having, till then, occurred
in the annals of our history. Some statesmen would
have worshipped the rising sun ; Mr. Pt re, hive-
er, er , pursued a different course, and thereby added
greatly to his popularity, and essentially secured
himself in power.
When the revolution took place in France. the
situation of the Prime Minister of this kingdom be-
came once more extremely critical. The weft of
Europe had assumed a new face, since the Monarchy
of France was shaken from its ancient basis. A war
ensued, tota.ly different from all former wars. Its
lodging, therefore, of the merits of those who were
concerned in managing the affairs of the nation, Si
was impossible to have recourse either to prece-
dents, or to old political principles. A new mode
of adion, a new scheme of plaice, was to be de.
vised, and adapted to the circumstances of Coe day.
If any merit be due to boldness of invention, to vi-
gour of execution, to wide extension of plans, and
to firmness and perseverance of conduit certainly
the Administration of that day had an undoubted
claim to public gratitude, however unsuccessful
their councils and-plans proved.
Those councils and those plans embracing the
whole interval which has elapsed since the com-
mencement of the late war against France, are flesh
in the reculleftion of many of our readers, and,
therefore, we shall forbear from their recital.
Of the various endowments of Mr. PITT, his elo-
quence demands the first notice. It was rui ge-
nerd's. It was of a peculiar cast, unlike any thing we
have ever heard, or probably ,hall ever hear again.
His c&ce was clear, powerful, sonorous, and
full nt intonation. It was most happily adapted
to his manner, which was forcible and vehement,
and to all the vatiety- of sabjeft that constitute the
matt r of grave and weighty debate, when the
head is to be assailed more than the heart, and all
the manly passions that do honour to human netty e.
we to he roused and kindled into a flame; upon
all these great occasions, whether pleading the cause-
of his country, or of Europe, whether lashing domestic
treason, or deprecating the boundless ambition, and
anprincip!cd aggressions of France, it animated tl-e
coldest bosom, and carried conviftion Into the
most sluggish mind. His figure was tall and
erect, his attitude lofty and towering ; and, when
he let his great powers loose, upon a subject
worthy of them, his voice poured along like
an impetuous torrent ; comprising, in a si
sentence, words and matter enough for
twenty distinct and separate paragraphs of an or-
dinary speaker. Yet, in this long and psotraled
sentence, very frequently involving a chain of paten.
theses, and ablative cases absolute, rising above each
other in force and beauty of sentiment and diftion.
there never was any thing broken nor disjointed.
The whole, when unfolded, was fund clear, persp.-
cunus, and adrri:-.4.4 arranged. Tile materials wet e
numerous and di cersit,el; but the leePtio only par-
leaded the structure. Next to logicril precision in ar-
gum .nt, he excelled in sarcasm. scornful re-
bukes cut to the quick. They were pointed and se-
vere. To the lose cf glory, the s.re of prie.s, and all