Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Life Of The Right Hon. William Pitt .
Mr . Pitt acquired his classical knowledge under the care of a private tutor at Burton-Pynsent , the seat of his father : and the Earl took greatpleasure in teaching him , while still ayouth , to argue with logical precision , and speak with elegance and force . He judiciously accustomed him to the practice of making accurate inquiries respecting every subjeft that caught his attention , and taught him not to remain satisfied with a superficial observation of appearances .
This lesson brought him into an early practice of cool and patient investigation , rarely , if ever acquired by those who prefer the trapp ings of eloquence , and the showy ornaments of language , to plain sober diction and pertinent matter of fact . Under such an able paternal tutor , an acute mind could not fail to
imbibe a store of sound practical knowledge . The Earl , with his usual perspicuity , fancied he saw in his son a future statesman , and , in all probability , a future minister of his country also . It was a laudable ambition in a father , and to gratify it he spared no exertions ; directing his whole attention to the great object of rendering his son accomplished in all things necessary to form a public character , and to preserve the lustre already attached to the name of William Pitt .
He himself frequently entered into forced disputations with him , and encouraged him to argue with others , upon subjects far above what mi ght be expected from his years . In the management of these arguments his father would never cease to press him with difficulties ; nor would he suffer him to stop till the subject of contention was completely exhausted . By being inured to this method , the sou
acquired that quality , which is of the first consequence in public lifea sufficient degree of firmness and presence of mind , as well as a ready delivery , in which he was wonderfully aided by nature . That he mi ght have all the benefits of education which this country could give him , and at the same time , by a rapid progress through the necessary studies , qualify himself early for the senate , he was takenbetween fourteen
, and fifteen years of age , from his father ' s roof , and from the care of a very enlightened and worth y clergyman , Mr . ( now Dr . ) Wilson , and sent to Pembroke College , Cambridge , where he was admitted , under the tuition of Messrs . Turner and Prettyman , both very able and well qualified tutors , and willing to second , to the utmost of their power , the intentions of his-father . Mr . Pretty .-man was also his private tutor , and a better choice could not have been tnade , as far as classical and mathematical knowledge were concerned .
*« r eloquence lie could not look up to either of his tutors ; for his father ' s example and precepts required no farther assistance , in Cambrid ge he was a model to the young nobility and fellow-commoners ; and it was not doubted that if the ' privileges of his rank had not exempted him from the usual exercises for the bachelor ' s degree , he Would have been found among the first competitors for academical honours . On his admissionaccording to customto his master ' de
, , s - gree , the public orator found it needless to search into his genealoo-y , ° r even to dwell much upon the viituesof his father ; the eyes ofthe university were fixed on the youth ; the enraptured audience assented to every encomium , und each breast was filled with the liveliest-pre-
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Life Of The Right Hon. William Pitt .
Mr . Pitt acquired his classical knowledge under the care of a private tutor at Burton-Pynsent , the seat of his father : and the Earl took greatpleasure in teaching him , while still ayouth , to argue with logical precision , and speak with elegance and force . He judiciously accustomed him to the practice of making accurate inquiries respecting every subjeft that caught his attention , and taught him not to remain satisfied with a superficial observation of appearances .
This lesson brought him into an early practice of cool and patient investigation , rarely , if ever acquired by those who prefer the trapp ings of eloquence , and the showy ornaments of language , to plain sober diction and pertinent matter of fact . Under such an able paternal tutor , an acute mind could not fail to
imbibe a store of sound practical knowledge . The Earl , with his usual perspicuity , fancied he saw in his son a future statesman , and , in all probability , a future minister of his country also . It was a laudable ambition in a father , and to gratify it he spared no exertions ; directing his whole attention to the great object of rendering his son accomplished in all things necessary to form a public character , and to preserve the lustre already attached to the name of William Pitt .
He himself frequently entered into forced disputations with him , and encouraged him to argue with others , upon subjects far above what mi ght be expected from his years . In the management of these arguments his father would never cease to press him with difficulties ; nor would he suffer him to stop till the subject of contention was completely exhausted . By being inured to this method , the sou
acquired that quality , which is of the first consequence in public lifea sufficient degree of firmness and presence of mind , as well as a ready delivery , in which he was wonderfully aided by nature . That he mi ght have all the benefits of education which this country could give him , and at the same time , by a rapid progress through the necessary studies , qualify himself early for the senate , he was takenbetween fourteen
, and fifteen years of age , from his father ' s roof , and from the care of a very enlightened and worth y clergyman , Mr . ( now Dr . ) Wilson , and sent to Pembroke College , Cambridge , where he was admitted , under the tuition of Messrs . Turner and Prettyman , both very able and well qualified tutors , and willing to second , to the utmost of their power , the intentions of his-father . Mr . Pretty .-man was also his private tutor , and a better choice could not have been tnade , as far as classical and mathematical knowledge were concerned .
*« r eloquence lie could not look up to either of his tutors ; for his father ' s example and precepts required no farther assistance , in Cambrid ge he was a model to the young nobility and fellow-commoners ; and it was not doubted that if the ' privileges of his rank had not exempted him from the usual exercises for the bachelor ' s degree , he Would have been found among the first competitors for academical honours . On his admissionaccording to customto his master ' de
, , s - gree , the public orator found it needless to search into his genealoo-y , ° r even to dwell much upon the viituesof his father ; the eyes ofthe university were fixed on the youth ; the enraptured audience assented to every encomium , und each breast was filled with the liveliest-pre-