Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Life Of The Right Hon. William Pitt .
of his having abandoned , if not opposed , the projeft of a parliamentary reform . If he really considers such a reform as no longer necessary , it will be difficult to exonerate him from this heavy accusation . But certainly there is a great difference between absolute , apostacy and an occasional cessation from a particular system of opinions orline of condtift . It does not follow that Mr . Pitt is an enemy to necessary reform , because he considers the existing circumstances of the country as too critical to admit the experiment .
As a public speaker , Mr . Pitt is not to be charafterised by overstrained parallels drawn from the orators of antiquity . He possesses more of the grace and elegance of Cicero than of the fire of Demosthenes . He is , however , more of the acute logician , than of the persuasive rhetorician . His voice , though clear and powerful , possesses not the modulations that charm the ear , and steal upon the heart ; moreover , he seems incapable of producing any grand effect
upon the passions of his auditors , and he is at times extremely careless in his choice of expressions . His language is generally good , but he sometimes descends into vulgarity and incorreftness . All his deficiencies , however , are more than counterbalaced by a conclusive and forcible method of reasoning , by a facility of stating his arguments , which makes them not only conceivable to the meanest understanding , but gives them frequently a precision and vigour which may be pronounced irresistible . Tlie Premier also possesses an advantage of inestimable value , in
a minister of state , namely , a great command over his temper , added to much coolness , during the ardour of debate . This enables him to reply clearly and particularly to the arguments of his opponents , and to defend his own cause , by often turning their own weapons upon themselves . Though he is confident , and fre- » quetitly , it must be confessed , even arrogant in his speeches , which sometimes provoke the opposition orators to use harsh language , yet
he seldom loses his own temper , or retorts in anger . His action is not striftly graceful , which is in some measure owing to the disadvantage of an exterior , that , however dignified , is yet not amiably winning ; for he is very tall , and deficient in en ban point . His countenance is also severe and forbidding , expressive indeed ( in the language of physiognomists ) of a capacious mind , and inflexible resolution ; but also of a too lofty and perhaps unbending spirit . evirite
r . forms in all points a direct contrast to his great political opponent : and it is certainly a curious circumstance , that two such extraordinary men should be as opposite in their private characters as "i their public career . In debate , Mr . Fox is vehement ; Mr . Pitt , cool . The one is frank and open ; the other , close and reserved . The urbanity ofthe ex-minister gains him friends among all parties ; the "auleur and froid of the Premier does not conciliate even his
sang associates . Mr . Pitt is the same guarded and unbending politician in "is social hours that he is in the House of Commons . In private life , his sole pleasures are of an official and convivial "attire . > y ,
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Sketch Of The Life Of The Right Hon. William Pitt .
of his having abandoned , if not opposed , the projeft of a parliamentary reform . If he really considers such a reform as no longer necessary , it will be difficult to exonerate him from this heavy accusation . But certainly there is a great difference between absolute , apostacy and an occasional cessation from a particular system of opinions orline of condtift . It does not follow that Mr . Pitt is an enemy to necessary reform , because he considers the existing circumstances of the country as too critical to admit the experiment .
As a public speaker , Mr . Pitt is not to be charafterised by overstrained parallels drawn from the orators of antiquity . He possesses more of the grace and elegance of Cicero than of the fire of Demosthenes . He is , however , more of the acute logician , than of the persuasive rhetorician . His voice , though clear and powerful , possesses not the modulations that charm the ear , and steal upon the heart ; moreover , he seems incapable of producing any grand effect
upon the passions of his auditors , and he is at times extremely careless in his choice of expressions . His language is generally good , but he sometimes descends into vulgarity and incorreftness . All his deficiencies , however , are more than counterbalaced by a conclusive and forcible method of reasoning , by a facility of stating his arguments , which makes them not only conceivable to the meanest understanding , but gives them frequently a precision and vigour which may be pronounced irresistible . Tlie Premier also possesses an advantage of inestimable value , in
a minister of state , namely , a great command over his temper , added to much coolness , during the ardour of debate . This enables him to reply clearly and particularly to the arguments of his opponents , and to defend his own cause , by often turning their own weapons upon themselves . Though he is confident , and fre- » quetitly , it must be confessed , even arrogant in his speeches , which sometimes provoke the opposition orators to use harsh language , yet
he seldom loses his own temper , or retorts in anger . His action is not striftly graceful , which is in some measure owing to the disadvantage of an exterior , that , however dignified , is yet not amiably winning ; for he is very tall , and deficient in en ban point . His countenance is also severe and forbidding , expressive indeed ( in the language of physiognomists ) of a capacious mind , and inflexible resolution ; but also of a too lofty and perhaps unbending spirit . evirite
r . forms in all points a direct contrast to his great political opponent : and it is certainly a curious circumstance , that two such extraordinary men should be as opposite in their private characters as "i their public career . In debate , Mr . Fox is vehement ; Mr . Pitt , cool . The one is frank and open ; the other , close and reserved . The urbanity ofthe ex-minister gains him friends among all parties ; the "auleur and froid of the Premier does not conciliate even his
sang associates . Mr . Pitt is the same guarded and unbending politician in "is social hours that he is in the House of Commons . In private life , his sole pleasures are of an official and convivial "attire . > y ,