Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Life Of The Right Hon. William Pitt .
ii considerable part of the nation . On this occasion , Mr . Pitt delivered in his place a most masterl y defence of himself and his colleagues , which produced a corresponding , though not successful effect . The administration , of which he was the most distinguished member , was therefore short lived . On its dissolution , the young statesman withdrew into retirement , and afterwards went abroad for some time , visiting Italy and several of the German courts
. Upon the coalition being formed , Mr . Mansfield ' s seat for the university became vacant , by his acceptance of the office of Solicitor-general . Mr . Pitt determined to oppose him . With this view he went down to Cambrid ge ; but was treated with contempt by the heads of houses and seiiior ' members . One threw the door almost in his face , and wondered at the impudence of . the young man , thus to-come
down and disturb the peace of the university ! From such a scene he retired , in a few days , in disgust ; though the assurances of support from several independent masters of arts kept alive the few remaining hopes in his breast of future success . A few months , however , changed the scene ; the coalition ministry were thrown out , became down in triumph to the university , was received with open arms , carried his election with a considerable majority , and was able also , by his influence , to make Lord Euston his colleague .
An occasion suddenly offered , in 1784 , for bringing Mr . Pitt again forward on the theatre of politics , as a candidate for fame and power . The British dominions in India had long been in an alarming situation , and it was generally admitted that an immediate remedy was indispensabl y necessary to preserve them . With this view , Mr . Fox , then Secretary of State , formed , digested , ancl brought forward his famous India billwhich he carried through its several stages with
, a high hand . The coalition ministry , as composed of such an heterogeneous mixture , notwithstanding their majority in the House of Commons , were generall y obnoxious to the nation , and this bill was particularl y offensive to the great body whom it immediately affected . Lord North and his new allies were accordingly dismissed , and Mr . Pitt became
Premier , assisted by the advice of Lord Thurlow , as keeper of the great seal—arrangements which , at that time , were , however , only considered as temporary I He then astonished the commercial and political world , by his own India bill J He had , nevertheless , the mortification to find the ' majority ofthe House of Commons against him ; and he was placed in the peculiar situation of a minister acting with a small minority , and that too in opposition to the strongest confluence of talents ever combined against any admitti-.. tration . He . however , remained firm in his seat amidst
a general confusion ; -and though the house had petitioned his Majesty to dismiss his ministers , our young Premier ventured to inform the representatives ofthe nation that their petition could not be complied with ! . This struggle between the Commons and the Crown was of the greatest impyrtance ; but the people at'large were of opinion that the
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Life Of The Right Hon. William Pitt .
ii considerable part of the nation . On this occasion , Mr . Pitt delivered in his place a most masterl y defence of himself and his colleagues , which produced a corresponding , though not successful effect . The administration , of which he was the most distinguished member , was therefore short lived . On its dissolution , the young statesman withdrew into retirement , and afterwards went abroad for some time , visiting Italy and several of the German courts
. Upon the coalition being formed , Mr . Mansfield ' s seat for the university became vacant , by his acceptance of the office of Solicitor-general . Mr . Pitt determined to oppose him . With this view he went down to Cambrid ge ; but was treated with contempt by the heads of houses and seiiior ' members . One threw the door almost in his face , and wondered at the impudence of . the young man , thus to-come
down and disturb the peace of the university ! From such a scene he retired , in a few days , in disgust ; though the assurances of support from several independent masters of arts kept alive the few remaining hopes in his breast of future success . A few months , however , changed the scene ; the coalition ministry were thrown out , became down in triumph to the university , was received with open arms , carried his election with a considerable majority , and was able also , by his influence , to make Lord Euston his colleague .
An occasion suddenly offered , in 1784 , for bringing Mr . Pitt again forward on the theatre of politics , as a candidate for fame and power . The British dominions in India had long been in an alarming situation , and it was generally admitted that an immediate remedy was indispensabl y necessary to preserve them . With this view , Mr . Fox , then Secretary of State , formed , digested , ancl brought forward his famous India billwhich he carried through its several stages with
, a high hand . The coalition ministry , as composed of such an heterogeneous mixture , notwithstanding their majority in the House of Commons , were generall y obnoxious to the nation , and this bill was particularl y offensive to the great body whom it immediately affected . Lord North and his new allies were accordingly dismissed , and Mr . Pitt became
Premier , assisted by the advice of Lord Thurlow , as keeper of the great seal—arrangements which , at that time , were , however , only considered as temporary I He then astonished the commercial and political world , by his own India bill J He had , nevertheless , the mortification to find the ' majority ofthe House of Commons against him ; and he was placed in the peculiar situation of a minister acting with a small minority , and that too in opposition to the strongest confluence of talents ever combined against any admitti-.. tration . He . however , remained firm in his seat amidst
a general confusion ; -and though the house had petitioned his Majesty to dismiss his ministers , our young Premier ventured to inform the representatives ofthe nation that their petition could not be complied with ! . This struggle between the Commons and the Crown was of the greatest impyrtance ; but the people at'large were of opinion that the