The sun., 1881-01-23

France to bring his forces into open field. an
swcred with smile. TINT he knew very we'll
what he had to do. and was not come 30 far to
be directed by an enemy"
or Fox. although Burke called him tho
greatest debater tho world ever saw. COM
paratively few trenchant and epiRrammatic
sayings are preserved. We have better
means of measuring Shcridan's parllamen-
tary abilities. 1t 10 curious that the lattors first
speech. like Dsraoi's flrst venture was n failure
His friend Woodfall felt constrained to tell him.
when asked for his opinion, Il am sorry to say
i do not think that this Ia your line; you
had much botter have stuck to your
former pursuits" On hearing which
Sheridan rested HE head on his hand
fow minutes, and then vehemently
exclaimed. 1t 10 In mo. however. and by G.
1t shall come out - During the debates on the
India bill. at which period John Robinson was
Secretary to the Treasury. Sheridan. referring
to the fact that the votes Of the opposition wero
decreasing. said: Mr.. Speaker. this is not at
all to be wondered Mt when member is en-
ployed TO corrupt everybody in order to obtain
votes" Upon this there was great outcry
made. Who is it? Name him. name him."
" Sir" said Sheridan to the Speaker. " I shnll
not name the person 1t is an unpleasant and
invidious thing to do 30. and. therefore. / shall
abstain because there is any difficulty in
naming him. could do that, STR. as soon as
you could say Jack Robinson" Criti-
cised by Lord Eilenboroueh for the fgurative
observation that the treasures in the zennna
OF the Begun were the Offering laid
by the hand OF piety on tho altar OF saint"
Sheridan replied. This Is tho first time In
my life that ever heard Of special pleading on
a metaphor. or bill OF Indictment against
tropo: but such 10 the turn Of the learned gen.
tleman's mind that when he attempts to be hu
morous no jest can be found. and when serious
no fact is visible" Somewhat similar was his
reference to Dundas. described rs one :" who
generally resorts to his memory for his Jokes.
and to his Imagination for his facts" Asked
by somo one. on the conclusion OF his speech at
the Hastings trial. how he came to compliment
Gbbon with tho epithet luminous" which so
delighted the historian Sheridan answered in
n half whisper. II said voluminous." But per-
haps none OF Sheridan's elaborate epigrnms
produced such an effect upon his auditors rs
an unpromeditated sentence uttered in the
course OF debate on the liberty of the press
Give them." said he. "a corrupt House OF
Lords. give them venal House Of Commons
give them a tyrannical Prince. give them
trucking court. and let me have but an unfet-
tered press. 1 will defy them to encroach n
3 ~.
Tho oratory OF William Pitt the younger was
conspicuous at once for its dignity. circumspec-
ton. and poverty OF expression Lord
Brougham characterized his diction as q state
paper STYLE" and said he verify believed Mr.
Pitt could deliver kings speech of hand.
Now and then, However,, keen or witty som
tence would relieve the sustained ard elaborate
exposition OF his argument. Speaking against
the coalition in l7S3 no closed his peroratlon
by simple but effective figure: And If this
inauspicious union DO not already consum-
mated. in the name OF my country forbid tho
bans" On one occasion. when bill camo up
for calling ont the volunteers the Minister was
n good deal worried by country members who
insisted the step should not be taken except
in case OF actual INVASION" Pitt replied that
would be too late. BY and by the same gentle
men objected to another clause. and declared
they would never consent to the volunteers be-
ing sent out OF England. Except I suppose"
rejoiIed Pitt. in cnse Of actual invasion" At
another time Pitt. alluding to his small number
Of adherents on the Declarntory bill. said that
he appeared in the House OF Commons as Eve
in the Garden OF God. single and naked. yet
not ashamed.
Pitt WAS present at the curious scene In
the House OF Lords described by Mr. Jen-
nings. when Thurow astounded his col
leagues by his unexpected Rush OF loyalty. The
question OF the Regency had been raised
by tho illness OF George Ill.,. and Thur
low had been intriguing with both polit-
cal parties. Having made up his mind that his
interest lay on the Kings sdo he left the Wool
saok and addressed the House, concluding his
speech with the impressive exclamation. And
when l forget my King. may my God forget
mef' On hearing Lord Thurlow's imprecation,
Pitt Is said to have rushed out OF the House
exclaiming several times. Oh. what rascal"
Burke. on the same occasion muttered. The
best thing that can happen to you." and
Wilkes. eyeinG the Chancellor askance. said
soto roce. God forget you. he will see you
d first" II Is well known that Wilkes was
far from feeling the patriotism he affected. that.
indeed he made a boast Of his insincerity.
Standing on the hustngs at Brentford his op-
ponent said to him. Il will take the sense OF
the meeting" And will take the nonsense"
replied Wilkes. and We shall sec who has tho
Lest OF it," During the same contest. Wilkes
asked his adversary privately whether he
thought there we're more fools or rogues among
tho multitude OF Wilkites at the polling place.
' III tell them what you say. and put an end to
you." said his opponent, but perceivlng the
threat gave Wilkes no alarm. he added Surely
You don't mean to say you could stand here one
hour after you did SO 2" why" the answer WAS
pou would not be alive one instant after" How
so2" Il should merely say it was fabrication
and they would destroy you in tho twinkling OF
IN eye" Some years later. when his popularity
had declined. the King. receiving him at his
lev6- asked him after his friend. Sergeant Glyn.
Sir" said Wilkes. "he Is not friend Of mine;
lie is a Wilkite. which never was"
From tho speeches OF Wilberforce our author
cites one remarkable passage. which is said to
have produced IN electrical effect upon the au-
dience. 1t was an allusion TO Mr.. Pitts resist |
ing tho torrent OF Jacobin principles He
stood between the living and the dead. and the
plague was stayed" Effective. too. was Romil-
ly's retort when one OF tho Crown lawyers. rc-
sisting his attempt 10 amond the criminal law.
showed that he was mistaken in the date OF n
particular statute. "What cnre l." reioined
Romilly. whether this law was made by one set
OF barbarians or another2" OF Addington our
author relates several anecdotes. Tho neatest
thing ever said OF this lucky mediocrity was
Cummings allusion to the favor he enjoyed with
George ILL.,. and tho consequent pressure upon
Ministers TO give him office. "Addington." said
Canning. lis like tho smallpox. that every one
is obliged to have once In their lives" Castle
reagh was weak. confused. and tedious speak