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CHARACTERS 
 
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 PITT^ 
 
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 THE RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 WILLIAM PITT. ff 
 
 To attempt the delineation of the life and 
 character of a man so lately at the head, of pub - 
 lie affairs , is a task ait ended with considerable 
 difficulties , for no!: only are all the great political 
 measures , of which he was the author , still fresh 
 in our recollection, but the impulse they have 
 tven his country still continues to act upon it 
 with considerable force ; hence although the im- 
 mediate effects of Mr, Pitt's policy may be a sub- 
 ject on which all agree, considerable difference 
 of opinion may arise as to the future benefits or 
 evils likely to result from it, and the biographer 
 who attempts to calculate them, may incur the 
 charge of rashness, or be condemned as the tool 
 of a faction. 
 
 Whatever the cast of politics with which our 
 minds may be tinctured, every one must allow 
 that the subject of the present memoir, during 
 the time he presided over the councils of Great 
 Britain , was in many points of view the most 
 conspicuous prime minister that modern Europe 
 ever beheld ; whether he be considered in respect 
 to his splendid talents , the success of his financial 
 operations, or the singular events which occurred 
 during his administration. His history will in- 
 clude the annals of the most remarkable epoch in 
 modern times ; and he will be justly deemed by 
 
 A 
 
2 m r . V I T T. 
 
 future ages, the master-spring which gave motion 
 to the proceedings of all the cabinets of Europe. 
 A large share of the good or evil which may re- 
 sult , will be solely ascribed to his councils. In 
 short , he may be considered as uniting the strik- 
 ing qualities of the Richelieus, the Mazarines, the 
 Straffords , the Alberonis , and the Walpoles ; for 
 to none of these is he inferior either in abilities or 
 in eloquence. 
 
 England never had a minister of whom such 
 different opinions have been entertained as of the 
 late one , and indeed no other was ever placed in 
 such critical circumstances. In short, the memo- 
 rable history of this statesman , comprising , as it 
 necessarily must, a review of his political opera- 
 tions , will be resorted to , at some future period, 
 as one of the most interesting and instructive per- 
 formances that can occupy the attention of man- 
 kind. 
 
 William Pitt , the illustrious Earl of Chatham , 
 had three sons, of whom the late minister is the 
 youngest. He was born May 8, 1759, at a time 
 when his father's glory was at its zenith 5 and 
 when, in consequence of the -wisdom of his coun- 
 cils, and the vigour and promptitude of his deci- 
 sions , British valour reigned triumphant in every 
 part of the globe, 
 
 On the accession of his present majesty, that 
 great statesman , in consequence of new arrange- 
 ments , chiefly occasioned by the rising influence 
 
M r . PIT T. O 
 
 of the Earl of Bute , retired from the station 
 which he had so honourably filled ; and consigning 
 his other sons to the care of others , he devoted 
 his own time to the education of William, on a 
 sanguine persuasion , as he was in the habit of 
 saying , that « he would one day increase the 
 (( glory of the name of Pitt. )> 
 
 His classical knowledge Mr. Pitt acquired under 
 the care of a private tutor at Burton- Pynsen I, 
 the seat of his father; and the Earl took great 
 pleasure in teaching him, while still a youth, to 
 argue with logical precision, and to speak with 
 elegance and force. He judiciously accustomed 
 him to the practice of making accurate inquiries 
 respecting every subject that eaughthis attention, 
 and taught him not to remain satisfied with a su- 
 perficial observation of appearances. 
 
 These lessons brought him into an early prac- 
 tice of cool and patient investigation, rarely, if 
 ever , acquired by those who prefer the trappings 
 of eloquence, and the shewy ornaments of lan- 
 guage , to plain sober diction , and pertinent mat- 
 ter of fact. 
 
 Under such an able paternal guide, 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 mi- 
 nister of his country also. It was a laudable am- 
 bition in a father , and to gratify it lie spared no 
 
4 M*. P I T T. 
 
 exertions ; directing his whole attention to the 
 great object of rendering liis son accomplished in 
 all things requisite to form a public character, 
 and to preserve the lustre already attached to the 
 name of William Pitt. 
 
 He himself frequently entered into disputations 
 with him , and encouraged him to converse with 
 others , upon subjects far above what could be ex- 
 pected from his years. In the management of 
 these arguments , his father would never cease to 
 press him with difficulties *, nor would he permit 
 him to stop j till the subject of contention was 
 completely exhausted. By being inured to this 
 method , the son acquired that quality which is of 
 the first consequence in public life — a sufficient 
 degree of firmness ? and presence of mind ; as well 
 as a ready delivery , in which he was wonder- 
 fully aided both by nature and education. 
 
 That he might enjoy all the benefits of instruc- 
 tion which his country could give him , and , at 
 the same time , by a rapid progress in the prelimi- 
 nary studies ; qualify himself early for the se- 
 nate , he was taken , at between fourteen and 
 fifteen years of age ; from his father's roof, and 
 the care of a very enlightened and worthy cler- 
 gyman ; Mr. (now Dr.) ^Vilson, and sent to 
 Pembroke college, Cambridge , where he was 
 admitted under the tuition of Messrs. Turner 
 and Prettyman, both very able men, and wil- 
 ling to second , to the utmost of their power , 
 
]>I r . PITT. 5 
 
 the intentions of his father. Mr. Prettyman was 
 also his private instructor, and a better choice 
 could not have been made , as far as classical 
 and mathematical knowledge were concerned. 
 For eloquence lie could not look up to either of 
 his instructors ; but his father's example and pre- 
 cepts required no further assistance on that head. 
 In Cambridge he became 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 ho- 
 nours. On his admission, according to custom, 
 to his master's degree, the public orator found it 
 needless to search into his genealogy; or even to 
 dwell much upon the virtues of his father , for 
 the eyes of the university were fixed on the 
 youth ; the enraptured audience assented to 
 every encomium, and each breast was filled 
 with the liveliest presages of future greatness. 
 To the honour of Mr. Pitt it must be spoken , 
 that he has been duly sensible of tlie care taken 
 of his rising years. His tutors have received 
 repeated marks of his acknowledgment. Dr. 
 T\ ilson, his first instructor, is now canon of 
 "W indsor ; and one of his sons has a lucrative 
 sinecure in Jamaica.' The worthy Dr. Turner is 
 Dean of Norwich ; Dr. Prettyman has received 
 the Bishopric of Lincoln, and the Deanery of St. 
 
6 M r . PITT. 
 
 Paul's, arid will, doubtless, not be overlooked in 
 future promotions. 
 
 Mr. P. was afterwards entered a student oJ 
 Lincoln's Inn , and made so rapid a progress in 
 his legal studies, as to be soon called to the bar, 
 with every prospect of success. 
 
 .We are informed, that he went once or twice 
 upon the ^Western circuit, and appeared as ju- 
 nior counsel in several causes. He was, however, 
 destined to fill a more important station ii 
 the government of his country , than is usually 
 obtained through the channel of the law. 
 
 At the general election, 1780, we find him 
 nominated by some of the most respectable per- 
 sons in Cambridge as a candidate to represent 
 that university, but notwithstanding the high 
 character he had obtained there, he found very 
 few to second his pretensions. In the following 
 year , however, he was returned for the borough 
 of Appleby, by the interest of Sir James Low- 
 ther. On taking his seat in the House of Com- 
 mons, he enlisted himself on the side of the 
 party which had constantly opposed the minister, 
 Lord North, and the American war, and which 
 regarded him with a degree of veneration ; re- 
 cognising in his person the genius of his illus- 
 trious falher, revived and acting, as it were, 
 in him. 
 
 The representation of the people of Great Bri- 
 tain in Parliament, so much extolled by foreigners, 
 
M r . PITT, 7 
 
 who , dazzled by its surface , took no pains to in- 
 vestigate the substance , which had made such ra- 
 pid strides towards decay under the corrupt admi- 
 nistration of Sir Robert Walpole, and the nullity of 
 which, to aii3' good or useful purpose, had been 
 so recently proved by the King of England having 
 forced his subjects into a most unjust and unpopular 
 war, was one of the first subjects to which Mr. Pitt 
 called the attention of the house. Notwithstand- 
 ing however the absurdity inseparable from the 
 idea of the Parliament reforming itself, or in other 
 words , its members voting themselves out, when 
 many of them had been at such an enormous ex- 
 pence to get in , an absurdity which Mr. Pitt felt 
 as clearly as any man, he nevertheless knew that 
 his motion for a committee to inquire into the 
 state of the representation , though unsuccessful , 
 would tend in a great measure to create for him 
 that popularity , without which his future schemes 
 of greatness would prove as short-lived as those of 
 his predecessors; but, once attained , would ena- 
 ble him to use the unsuspecting confidence of the 
 multitude, in order to carry into effect the most 
 daring projects of ambition and aggrandizement. 
 Although therefore Mr. Pitt's propositions for a 
 committee were , as he had previously calculated 
 on , rejected ; he repeated and renewed them from 
 time to time, and even out of the house was one 
 of the principal members of a society, instituted 
 for the sole purpose of obtaining a reform in 
 
8 M r . PITT. 
 
 parliament, together with, the Duke of Richmond, 
 and many others actuated by the same motives as 
 himself, and who promised themselves a similar 
 reward. 
 
 On the death of the Marquis of Rockingham , 
 the old Whig party fell into a state of disunion , 
 nearly bordering upon dissolution. A new 
 arrangement took place soon after, and Lord 
 Shelburne became the first Lord of the Treasury, 
 assisted by Mr. Pitt, -who astonished the country, 
 and, indeed, all Europe, by the "phenomenon 
 of a Chancellor of the Exchequer at the age of 
 twenty-three I 
 
 His popularity at this period effectually screened 
 him from every charge which his youth and 
 inexperience might justly have warranted , and 
 which were strongly urged against him by the 
 adverse faction. The situation of the country 
 was extremely critical. The American war bad 
 become generally odious ; and all hearts panted 
 for a cessation of hostilities. This desirable object 
 was , therefore , the first consideration with the 
 new ministry. 
 
 The combined powers had recently experienced 
 great humiliations, and consequently the oppor- 
 tunity was not to be lost. A general peace ac- 
 cordingly took place , but the terms of it were 
 reprobated by a considerable part of the nation. 
 On this occasion, Mr. Pitt delivered a most mas- 
 terly defence of himself and his colleagues ; 
 
M r . PITT. 
 
 vhich produced a corresponding, though not 
 uccessful effect. The administration, of which 
 le was one of the most distinguished members , 
 vas therefore, short-lived. On its dissolution, 
 he young statesman withdrew into retirement, 
 ind afterwards went abroad for some time, visit- 
 ng Italy , and several of the German courts. 
 
 On the coalition-ministry coming into place , 
 Mr. Mansfield's seat for the university became 
 racant ,by his accepting the office of solicitor-gene- 
 ral , and Mr. Pitt determined to oppose him : 
 with this view he went down to Cambridge; but 
 was treated with contempt, by the heads and 
 senior members. One almost threw the door in 
 his face, and wondered at the impudence of the 
 j'oung man, thus to come down and disturb the 
 peace of the university ! From such a scene he 
 retired in a few days, in disgust j though the 
 assurances of support from several independent 
 masters of arts, kept alive the scanty hopes of 
 future success. A few months, however, changed 
 the scene; the coalition-ministry was thrown 
 out , he repaired in triumph to the university, 
 was received with open arms, carried his election 
 by means of a considerable majority, and was 
 able , also , by his influence, to make Lord Euston 
 his colleague. For a time , the tergiversation of 
 the senate was a theme of conversation ; the most 
 notorious of the gown who had changed sides 
 were markedby the contempt of the unsuccessful, 
 
lO M r . PITT. 
 
 tut they laughed at their own disgrace , being 
 gratified by tlie rewards of the successful candi- 
 dates; mitres, stalls, and livings, became the por 
 tion of the Cambridge men. But few of the in- 
 dependent masters, who w T ould have supported him 
 when out of power, and did so on his accession to 
 the ministry, were to be found among his voters at 
 the next election ; they considered him as having 
 receded from those principles of liberty , on 
 which he had first acted; for he had now become 
 cool in his zeal for that reform of parliament . 
 which had, in conjunction with his great talents, 
 first entitled him to their notice. 
 
 An occasion , as we have just remarked, sud- 
 denly offered, in 1784 , for bringing Mr. Pitt 
 forward once more on the great theatre of poli- 
 tics , as a candidate for fame and power. The 
 British dominions in India had long been in an 
 alarming situation , and it was generally admit- 
 ted that an immediate remedy was indispensably 
 necessary to preserve them. AVith this view , 
 Mr. Fox, then Secretary of State , formed , di- 
 gested , and brought forward his famous India 
 bill, which, after considerable discussion, passed 
 through both houses , but so powerful were the 
 machinations of the secret cabinet against it , that 
 the king refused his consent, and blushed not to 
 set his own opinion in direct contradiction to a 
 measure sanctioned by the opinion of the nation 
 at large. 
 
, M r . PITT. 11 
 
 The coalition- ministry, including in its ranks 
 \h\ Fox, Mr. Burke, Mr. Sheridan , and some of 
 lie most distinguished members of the old admi- 
 nistration , formed such a combination of talents 
 md genius as had heen seldom seen before, and 
 las never been witnessed since ; the benefits too 
 vere incalculable which the country would in all 
 )robability have derived from this union amongst 
 lien who had hitherto acted in opposition to each 
 )ther • hence it was so much the more dreaded by 
 he secret cabinet. Lord North and many of those 
 vho acted with him brought almost to the brink 
 .)f destruction by the American Avar, were con- 
 vinced of the error they had fallen into; this cir- 
 cumstance, added to the tried integrity of their 
 lew associates, was sufficient to provoke regal 
 ealousy *, it was feared that the coalition-ministry 
 lad it in contemplation to relieve the whole body 
 )f dissenters from the disabilities they had hitherto 
 aboured under, and thus extend to them the 
 .ame privileges as are enjoyed by those of his 
 majesty's subjects professing the religion of the 
 phurcli of England. It was apprehended, and 
 ivith reason, that the ministry would not easily 
 consent to an augmentation of his majesty's civil 
 1st, whilst the people were still labouring under 
 he heavy burdens which the late war had laid 
 ipon them, and lastly, the secret cabinet itself 
 :rembled for its existence at the bold and disni- 
 ied resolution of the house of commons, t^at the 
 
12 M r . PITT., 
 
 influence of the Crown had increased , was increa- 
 sing , and ought to be diminished, Ttctyal au- 
 thority could brook no more. Lord North and 
 liis allies were dismissed in a most unconstitu- 
 tional manner, and Mr. Pitt appointed the new 
 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. 
 
 As Mr. Pitt has been one of the boldest and 
 most pertinacious opposers of Mr. Fox's India-bill, 
 it was naturally to be thought that he would em- 
 brace the first opportunity of his return topow r er, 
 to propose one of his own. He accordingly did 
 so , undaunted at the formidable difficulties inse- 
 parable from such a measure at this period • well 
 acquainted with the reasons which had influenced 
 his Majesty to refuse his assent to that of his ad- 
 versary, he formed his own upon the superstruc- 
 ture of that secret influence which would render 
 it palatable to the monarch, however injurious 
 to the interests of the nation. Mr. Fox well aware 
 of the despotism which a governor in chief of In- 
 dia might exercise over the inhabitants of that 
 distant, though vast and extensive country, were 
 he possessed of full and discretionary authority, 
 had by his bill formed aboard of control, on the 
 members of which he bestowed a share of the 
 power in such a manner, that they might act as 
 guardians of the laws , and operate as a check 
 
n T . pitt. i<> 
 
 upon the governor, whenever lie should he in- 
 clined io step beyond them, to gratify either his 
 ambition or his avarice. The assent of two thirds 
 of the board of control was likewise essentially 
 necessary to be obtained :, before a war could be 
 declared against any of the native powers. Mr. 
 Pitt's bill, on the contrary, invested the governor 
 general of India with full and discretionary au- 
 thority , and though it likewise admits of a board 
 of control , the members composing it possess 
 little or no influence over the operations of the 
 governor in chief, who is responsible only to the 
 cabinet of St. James's. Mr. Pitt, however, had. 
 not yet taken the necessary means to secure the 
 assent of the house by filling it with his own party ; 
 accordingly he had the mortification to find a ma- 
 jority against him, and was then placed in the 
 peculiar situation of a minister acting with a mi- 
 nority, and that too in opposition to the strongest 
 conflux of talents ever combined against any ad- 
 ministration. He , however , remained firm in 
 his seat amidst a general confusion; and, though 
 the house had petitioned his majesty to dismiss 
 him and his coadjutors, our young premier ven- 
 tured to inform the representatives of the na- 
 tion , that their petition could not be complied 
 with ! 
 
 The struggle between the commons and the 
 crown was of the greatest importance ; as the 
 latter however possessed the means of influencing 
 
 B 
 
14 M r . PITT. 
 
 almost ever} r election in the kingdom , it was not 
 difficult to foresee how it would end. On the 
 old parliament being dissolved , a new one was 
 returned more obedient to the will of the monarch 
 and which preserved the young favorite in his 
 post(i). 
 
 To enter into a detail of all the public measures 
 which the ex-minister brought forward during 
 an administration of fifteen years , would far 
 exceed the bounds of this memoir. We shall 
 content ourselves with noticing some of the most 
 prominent ones, bestowing on each as we pro~ 
 ceed, its merited share of applause or disappro- 
 bation, and, laying aside all political attachments, 
 We shall be guided in our observations by truth 
 alone. Amicus Plato , amicus Socrates > sed magis 
 arnica Veritas. 
 
 Thanks to the corruption of modern times, the 
 money of the treasury , vulgarly called that of 
 the nation , had been employed to so good a 
 purpose , that on the opening of the new parlia- 
 
 (1) A day or two after Mr. Pitt was re-elected one of the 
 members for the University , a sermon was preached before 
 him by Dr. Parr, As there happened at that time to be a 
 good many benefices vacant , the church was crowded with, 
 the university sophs and fellows, all looking up to the 
 young premier for preferment. The reverend Dr. wishing 
 to chuse a text suitable to the occasion , took it from the 7th 
 chapter of St. John. « There is a lad here that hath jive 
 loaves and three small fishes ^ hut what are they among so 
 many ? * 
 
M r . PITT. 10 
 
 nicnt 3 Mr. Pitt , found his arguments almost 
 superfluous to convince the house of the propriety 
 of a measure which it had so lately rejected ; ac- 
 cordingly, his India-bill now passed by a vast 
 majority and immediately received the royal 
 sanction. The c {feels which have ensued from 
 it in the British possessions in the East , are at 
 length Visible* to all mankind. That authority 
 which, had it been subject to the check of a 
 board of control, chosen from amongst the most 
 enlightened inhabitants there, having a perma- 
 nent interest in the welfare of the country } 
 might have rendered it the abode of peace and 
 happiness, by being arbitrarily concentered in 
 the governor in chief, has given him the power 
 of gratifying the ambition and cupidity both of 
 himself and his adherents, by waging continual 
 wars on the natives which have never ceased to 
 the present moment. These wars may have indeed 
 afforded plunder to those concerned in them, both 
 at home and abroad; but on the other hand the 
 devastated plains of India; the starvation and 
 murders of millions of its inhabitants, proclaim 
 to the world the crimes of its oppressors. In ano- 
 ther point of view the short sighted policy of this 
 bill is as evident as its injustice ; the day is not 
 far distant when the governor general of the 
 British possessions in India, having reduced the 
 surrounding provinces to servitude , will bestow 
 a portion of that authority on the inhabitants , 
 
3 6 H r . PITT. 
 
 which they can obtain by no other means , and 
 then easting off for ever all allegiance to the mo- 
 ther country , proclaim an East Indian republic. 
 
 The next important step in Mr. Pitt's ad- 
 ministration was the commercial treaty he 
 concluded with France. It was an honourable 
 and advantageous one to his country, and happy 
 would it have been for Great Britain had he 
 always directed the political and mercantile know- 
 ledge he has displayed in it , to similar objects. 
 
 In 1788, the all-conquering arms of Catharine 
 the great, carried Ockzakow by storm , from the 
 Turks; with whom she then happened to be at 
 war; the possession of the place was legalized by 
 the laws of arms , but as it did not precisely square 
 with Mr. Pitt's idea of a balance of power in Eu- 
 rope , which has always been a very favourite no- 
 tion of this statesman, he gave instructions to 
 the British ambassador at St. Petersburgh , to 
 make remonstrances to the empress , on this ac- 
 count , threatening her with the vengeance of 
 Great Britain , in case she refused isstiing orders 
 to evacuate it. The absurdity , however , of 
 plunging the country into a war, in which it had 
 not the most distant interest, and from w^hich it 
 could not promise itself the slightest advantage , 
 nay, wherein national sympathy itself could not 
 take a part with the conquered, were reasons so 
 forcibly felt, that when Mr. Pitt proposed an aug- 
 mentation of the navy, for the purpose of sailing 
 
M r . PITT. 17 
 
 up the sound, and battering down the walls of 
 St. Petersbujgh, lie found his usually triumphant 
 majority shrunk to 88. The British nation , how- 
 ever bold and warlike, seldom ehuses to venture 
 into a eon test where nothing but cold iron is pro- 
 mised to the vietors ; and as no better reward 
 was held out for undertaking the present one, 
 Mr. Pitt was forced to relinquish his scheme, 
 and cloak his resentment . when the empress 
 declared she would not evacuate Ockzakow, 
 and that he might do his worst. 
 
 Soon after this event an occasion arose, which 
 put to the proof the sincerity of those professions, 
 that originally gained our 3-oung statesman a seat 
 in the house of commons. Petitions were pre- 
 sented from Birmingham, Manchester, Sheffield, 
 etc. etc. praying for a reform in the representa- 
 tion. The petitioners set forth, that notwith- 
 slanding their immense population, and the great 
 stake they 3iad in the welfare of the country, 
 being some of the richest manufacturers in it, 
 they sent not a single member to Parliament, 
 whilst on the other side, Old Sarum and a vast 
 number of other rotten boroughs, not containing 
 more than a few houses each , sent two members , 
 and even then the nomination notoriously lay 
 with the ministry: this they offered to prove by 
 evidence at the bar of the house, and also, that 
 owing to various causes, Uwo thirds of the members 
 , sitting there were returned directly or indirectly 
 
i8 
 
 M r . PITT. 
 
 under the influence of the minister. This motion 
 for referring the petition to a committee, was 
 brought forward b y Mr. Grey, one of the greatest 
 independent landholders in England , who ear- 
 nestly and forcibly called upon Mr. Pitt to sup- 
 port the petition , by reminding him of his former 
 sentiments ; but alas ! to little purpose. Our wary 
 politician, who had gulled the people with Lis 
 projects of reform , when they served him as steps 
 in the ladder of ambition , had no sooner ascended 
 its utmost height , than he kicked them from un- 
 der him, and laughed at their creel ulity. The 
 premier } in one of those specious delusory 
 speeches lie knows so well how to make, taking 
 especial care to avoid meeting the petitioners on 
 their own grounds , attempted to reprobate the 
 idea of men complaining of the defects of the 
 constitution, when the increasing commerce and 
 manufactures of the country bore witness to the 
 benefits they enjoyed under it; that of all times 
 none could be more unseasonable to demand a 
 reform in the representation, than at a period 
 when the riclies and prosperity of the kingdom 
 excited the admiration and envy of all others, 
 etc. Very few , however , were deluded by these 
 wily arguments ; the grand majority of the nation 
 well knew, that their riches and prosperity sprung 
 from their own enterprize and industry, and that 
 for neither one or the other were they indebted 
 to a rotten representation , though they prospered 
 
M r . P I T T. 3 9 
 
 iii spile of it. The delate on this interesting 
 question lasted for three days , at the end of 
 which, as it maybe expected, the petition was 
 thrown out. 
 
 Avery alarming circumstance now took place , 
 which threatened a premature end to the projects 
 of our statesman; it was the declared lunacy of 
 his majesty; and here it cannot be denied but 
 that Mr. Pitt stood on grounds more delicate, 
 than perhaps any of his predecessors. The ques- 
 tion to be decided was, whether the prince of 
 Wales had a constitutional right to the regency, 
 unshackled by limitations , or whether the right 
 existed in the house of commons to impose limi- 
 tations on him. Mr. Pitt boldly declared himself 
 of the latter opinion, urging with great justice 
 that the revolution of 1688 had rendered the 
 crown elective , and consequently, that whenever 
 the sovereign authority ceased its functions, the 
 representatives of the people had a right even to 
 choose a king, a priori, therefore, had they a 
 right to limit the exercise of his authority, a 
 right triumphantly proved by the example of 
 William III. We are far from wishing to de- 
 tract from the praise so truly due to the conduct 
 of the ex-minister on this trying occasion ; but we 
 maybe permitted to remark, that personal con- 
 siderations were probably not without their in- 
 fluence on it. Mr. Pitt had long been at open 
 war with the friends of the prince of Wales, and to 
 
SO M 1 . PITT, 
 
 the latter lie was personally obnoxious. Had the 
 prince therefore been seated on the throne with the 
 same powers as his father, Mr. Pitt's fall w T as in- 
 evitable ; whereas , by imposing restrictions on 
 him , or in other words , associating the queen 
 with the prince in the regency , the premier flat- 
 tered himself with preserving at least part of his in- 
 fluence. Contrary to general expectation, the king 
 recovered, and Mr. Pitt beheld himself and his 
 colleagues more firmly seated in power than ever. 
 The nex.i and most important scene in which 
 our statesman took a leading part , was now fast 
 approaching. The revolution in France burst on 
 men's minds with a suddenness, that for some 
 time astounded the politicians of the old school. 
 They had not calculated on so great an event, 
 still less were they able to foresee its conse- 
 quences. No sooner, however, had the friends 
 of liberty in England begun to manifest their re- 
 joicings at the downfall of tyranny in France, 
 and sent addresses to the friends of freedom there , 
 congratulating them on the benefits conferred on 
 their country by the constituent assembly., than 
 the aristocracy in England awoke from their 
 slumber, and took the alarm. The abolition of 
 titles and tithes, the establishment of a free and 
 equal representation of the people , together with 
 the decreed eligibility of persons of all persua- 
 sions, to hold the offices of state, in a country so 
 near to their own, they regarded as extremely dan- 
 
M r . PITT. 21 
 
 e gerous ; the infection might spread , and should 
 ... similar events take place in their own country, 
 i they well knew, that, deprived of their privileges, 
 their talents alone would never ensure them a 
 preeminence. The fears of the English govern- 
 ment increased in proportion as the people gave 
 a loose to their joy; and no sooner were corre- 
 sponding societies, for the purpose of obtaining a 
 reform in parliament, established throughout the 
 kingdom, than it beheld, or fancied it beheld, its 
 danger. Cabinet councils were held every day, 
 and prolonged to an unusual length. In the mean 
 time it was resolved, that France should be re- 
 garded as a house on fire , and every means be 
 adopted to cut off the communication with it. 
 
 There are some who have been of opinion , 
 that had Mr. Pitt contented himself with this step, 
 and confined himself to rigorously enforcing the 
 alien bill, traiterous correspondence bill, etc. he 
 might have steered clear of those calamities which 
 his after conduct was the means of bringing on 
 his country: but an examination of causes and 
 effects will by no means justify such reasoning. 
 In the natural effervescence of men's minds at 
 that period , it was morally impossible to prevent 
 that reciprocation of sentiment between the citi- 
 zens of Great Britain and France , which Mr. Pitt 
 thought proper to denominate traiterous, whilst 
 the two nations were in a state of peace. It is 
 not , therefore, meant to be denied, but that had 
 
22 M r . PITT. 
 
 that peace lasted^ the same privileges accorded to 
 the people in France must have "been granted to 
 those in England ; this was not the interest of the 
 governors of the latter country , many of whom 
 must have returned to their original insignificance 
 in consequence. Conscious of this , they resolved 
 that the dangerous example should be annihilated, 
 or in other words, that liberty should be banished 
 o at of Europe , and France cease to exist as an in- 
 dependent nation 3 that her spoils should be di- 
 vided amongst the potentates of the earth , and 
 despotism under some specious name be hence- 
 forth declared the order of the day. All negocia- 
 tion was therefore haughtily rejected, the French 
 ambassador ignominiously dismissed, and war de- 
 clared against France. 
 
 To enter into all the events which have oc- 
 curred during the course of that calamitous con- 
 flict, would lead us into too great a length. We 
 shall content ourselves with making a few obser- 
 vations on the objects Mr. Pitt calculated the war 
 would effect, and the contrary results it has pro- 
 duced. France, instead of being annihilated as 
 an independent nation , has not only increased, 
 her population by one fifth, but become the most 
 formidable power in Europe , "with her civil and 
 religious liberty seated on firmer foundations than 
 ever. The liberty of the people of England ; in- 
 deed , Mr. Pitt has , to every good and useful pur- 
 pose ; destroyed. In this object he has undoubt- 
 
H 1 . PITT. k 2D 
 
 3cl]y succeeded. He boasted of Laving made war 
 against the French finances , and yet they were 
 never in a more flourishing state. Mr. Pitt threat- 
 ened to reduce the French to a national bank- 
 ruptcy, and yet strange to say, long before the 
 war closed , the bank of England stopped pay- 
 ment, and has never since been able to discharge 
 its own notes ! At the end of this ten years war, 
 then, Great Britain found her population thinned, 
 her liberty gone , her debt nearly trebled , and 
 I herself on the « very verge of » that « bankrupt- 
 cy , )> which Mr. Pitt so often predicted to 
 France ! 
 
 Having now seen how opposite was the 
 result of the war , to the prospects which 
 Mr. Pitt held out at its commencement, it will 
 be necessary for us in some measure to trace 
 back our steps , and take a short review of those 
 measures of internal policy pursued by the late 
 premier , during the period of that calamitous 
 contest in which he wantonly involved his 
 country. Scarcely was it begun, than he openly 
 announced his intentions of destroying freedom 
 at home, whilst he was subsidizing foreign powers 
 to exterminate it abroad. Accordingly his first step 
 was to introduce an act for abolishing all the de- 
 bating societies throughout the kingdom, where the 
 discussion of subjects of morality, politics, and 
 philosophy, tended to inform and enlighten the ris- 
 ing generation, societies for the diffusion of know- 
 
to 
 
 ed 
 
 24 M r . PITT. 
 
 ledge , and scliools for the exertion of eloquence , 
 where some of our first orators first learnt 
 exercise those talents which afterwards rendere 
 them the admiration and astonishment of their 
 fellow-citizens. So strict indeed was the law , 
 which still subsists, that in Great Britain, the 
 supposed asylum of liberty, it rendered the meet- 
 ing of more than twelve men together illegal , un- 
 less they had previously obtained a licence from 
 the magistrates. Sfcill this was not sufficient; Mr. 
 Pitt thought he Lad not done enough for the cause 
 of tyranny, while any thing remained undone; 
 he had the audacity to propose, and found a house 
 of commons corrupt enough , to pass a suspension 
 of the dearest birthright of Britons, the Habeas 
 Corpus act , which suspension he immediately 
 availed himself of , by causing some of the most 
 worthy and enlightened citizens to be snatched 
 from their families and occupations , conveyed to 
 the Tower, and after nine months seclusion there , 
 brought out only to be arraigned of the crime of 
 High Treason. Although they had been guilty 
 of no other than that of pursuing precisely the 
 same plans of parliamentary reform, of which he 
 had in the outset of his political career, been the 
 most strenuous supporter. But though he had 
 marked out his victims, to the honour of British 
 integrity be it spoken , there were no priests to be 
 found who would sacrifice them at the altar. In 
 vain did the Attorney-general exert his utmost 
 
M r . PITT. 25 
 
 effrontery, and exhaust all the sophistry of his pro- 
 fession in a speech of nine hours in length, in the 
 vain attempt to confound the understanding of an 
 English jury, by telling them it was criminal to 
 think of reforming a constitution , when there was 
 so good a king at the head of it; they smiled con- 
 tempt at such a perversion of language , and ac- 
 quitted the prisoners. Amongst this chosen band 
 who had been marked out for the scaffold, was 
 the illustrious and venerable John Home Tooke, 
 whose whole life had been a continued struggle 
 in favour of freedom , and the discriminating 
 powers of whose mind burst forth with such 
 splendour, when his life was yet hanging in sus- 
 pence 3 that they overwhelmed with confusion 
 eve ii the minister himself (i). 
 
 Become by this time as much the hatred and 
 detestation of the people , as in the outset of his 
 career he had beeu their idol, Mr. Pitt now began 
 to tremble for his personal safety ; eager therefore 
 to shelter himself from an impeachment, he caused 
 bills of indemnity to be passed, which under pre- 
 tence that all he and his colleagues had done had 
 beeu for the good of the state, shielded them from 
 immediate prosecution, though it can never shield 
 their infamy from mankind. 
 
 (i) Mr. Pitt on this occasion so completely lost all recol- 
 lection of his former exertions in favour of parliamentary 
 reform , that neither the court, or counsel for the prisoner , 
 could get any information from. him concerning it. 
 
 c 
 
i>6 M r . PIT T. 
 
 Disappointed and enraged at the failure of his 
 tyrannical and blood-thirsty projects in England, 
 he cast his eyes over the land of Hibernia. Long 
 had that country groaned under an oppression y 
 which it was the wonder of surrounding nations , 
 it had supported so long ; yet no sooner did its in- 
 habitants appoint a deputation to lay a statement 
 of the grievances they had laboured under, before 
 their governors ; than the satellites of despotism 
 were let forth on them, martial law and free 
 quarters proclaimed, and torture employed to ex- 
 tort from innocence a confession of guilt. But it 
 happened in this prosecution of opinions as in that 
 of most others , the parties only remained more 
 firmly convinced of the justice of their cause. 
 
 Mr. Pitt had for a long time past employed 
 every engine of power and intrigue amongst the 
 members of the Irish parliament, and had in too 
 many instances proved successful in corrupting 
 their integrity: a prudent distribution of offices to 
 some , and bestowals of titles on others, had in 
 many cases rendered them obedient servants of 
 the crown ; yet there were certain occasions on 
 which even they were too stubborn to submit , or 
 in which a regard to their personal safety ren- 
 dered it too dangerous for them to do so. The 
 bold and daring idea therefore now presented it- 
 self to the mind of our statesman, to annihilate at 
 one blow all the liberty in Ireland , by abolishing 
 its parliament. Unbailed by his first defeat, he 
 
JU r . PITT. 2J 
 
 returned to the charge a second time, and having 
 already found force unavailing , over the minds 
 of a generous and high spirited people , the wily 
 deceiver now cajoled their credulity, by promis- 
 ing them that if they would consent to a union 
 witli Great Britain, their civil and religious li- 
 berties should be restored. Worn down by the 
 general calamities and distresses brought on them 
 by their oppressors , they caught at any hope of 
 removing them , aud in an unguarded moment 
 signed the death warrant of their country ! 
 
 But in proportion as the ex-minister was shack- 
 ling and annihilating liberty at home, he had the 
 mortification to perceive that all his attempts, 
 joined with those of the coalesced powers for the 
 siune purpose abroad , Were now become more 
 fruitless and absurd than ever; the virulence and 
 abuse he had pouted on a neighbouring nation 
 and its illustrious chief, were repaid with scorn 
 and contempt by both. His promises had proved 
 perfidious , and his calculations false. He had de- 
 luged Europe with blood , and was now pursued 
 by lhe execration of its inhabitants. Seeing him- 
 self therefore obnoxious to all parties, since there 
 was none that lie had not deceived or sacrificed, 
 he resolved to make at least a temporary retreat 
 from power, and leaving the vessel of the state in 
 the hands of his underlings, flattered himself that 
 he should Kill in secret direct its helm. In this 
 however he was once more egregiously mistaken ; 
 
2% M r . PITT. 
 
 authority is so soothing to the possessor, that ex- 
 cept in virtuous minds , specious pretexts are usu- 
 ally found to abrogate the convention by which 
 it was acquired. There are few, it is appre- 
 hended, who will regret that our crafty politician 
 was over-reached in this instance , and that he 
 fell into those snares himself, by which he had de- 
 coyed so many others. Having relinquished the 
 sceptre of office, he retired awhile from public 
 business , to contemplation and retirement , at his 
 seat of Walmer-Castle , Dover. Here however 
 his reflections could not be of a pleasing cast ; 
 public opinion told him he had wrought more evil 
 for his country than the most abandoned and pro- 
 fligate minister it ever possessed , evils that 
 scarcely a century could efface. The emigrants 
 accused him of the massacre atOuiberon, and his 
 complete abandonment of their cause. Did he 
 turn his eyes across the channel for consolation , 
 he beheld that people whom he had threatened to 
 exterminate, increasing in population, and in 
 spite of his intrigues and corruption , with their 
 freedom and happiness secured by wise laws and 
 beneficial institutions. Pursued therefore by po- 
 pular complaints on one side, and offended by the 
 sight and consideration of his enemy's prosperity 
 on the other, he once more took his seat in the 
 house , and on Mr. Patten's motion for censuring 
 the ministry , he took occasion for the first time to 
 express his disapprobation of their proceedings ; 
 
M 1 . PITT. 29 
 
 tliis opinion lie afterwards followed ivp by divid- 
 ing the house against thein. His hostilities how- 
 ever have of late been conducted with much less 
 wai mill , and he is supposed to entertain the rash 
 and presumptuous hope , of forming a league with 
 some at least of his former associates, and again 
 ascending the pinnacle of power. Great Britain 
 is not however so destitute of talents and inte- 
 grity, as to be forced to chuse between the ini- 
 quity of the ex-minister, and the imbecility of 
 the present one. The actual crisis is such as de- 
 mands the highest talents, combined with the 
 strictest probity, and considering the experience 
 the nation has had within these last eighteen years, 
 it is sincerely to be wished that it may elevate to 
 its tottering councils, the man whom narrow pre- 
 judices and party bigotry have so long excluded 
 from them. 
 
 As a public speaker the ex-minister forms a di- 
 rect contrast to his political opponent. Deep , 
 subtle and refined in his arguments , his hearers 
 at first imagine he is the only man who under- 
 stands the subject; they wonder and even admire, 
 though they do not comprehend him. Should his 
 adversary succeed in removing the difficulties, 
 and developing the intricacies he has artfully laid 
 in the way oi' a question, then it is, when to all 
 appearance overcome, that he shews his powers 
 the most, and by an appeal to the passions of his 
 auditors, to every thing dear and sacred to Britons, 
 
3o M r , PITT. 
 
 lie lias been frequently known to confound and 
 overcome , where lie has failed to convince. It 
 imist be granted however, that in general he dis- 
 plays more of the acute logician than of the per- 
 suasive rhetorician; and however clear and power- 
 ful his voice , it possesses not those modulations 
 that charm the ear and steal upon the heart. Mr. 
 Pitt possesses an advantage , of great value to an 
 orator , in a perfect command of temper, whichhas 
 enabled liim in many instances to defend his cause 
 against his opponents , by turning their own wea- 
 pons upon themselves. Hence it is he is supposed 
 to derive that confidence, and even arrogance, 
 which too generally pervade his speeches. 
 
 His action is not graceful, a defect that in some 
 measure arises from the disadvantage of an exte- 
 rior, which, however dignified, is far from en- 
 gaging ; for he is extremely tall and deficient in 
 embonpoint. 
 
 It is certainly a curious circumstance that two 
 such extraordinary men as Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox 
 should be as opposite in their private characters 
 as in their public career. In debate , Mr. Fox is 
 vehement •, Mr. Pitt cool. The former is frank 
 and open •, the latter close and reserved. The ur- 
 banity of the one gains him friends among all 
 parties *, the hauteur and sangfroid of the other 
 does not conciliate even his associates. 
 
 Mr. Pitt is the same guarded and unbending 
 
M v .piTT. 5l 
 
 politician in his social hours as in the house of 
 commons. 
 
 To sum up all, ambition is his idol; to it every 
 consideration of public virtue, private friendship 
 and political consistency, have been alternately 
 offered up ; it is most truly , 
 
 Th ..-■ inaster-passion raging in his breast j 
 » Like Aaron' 's serpent swallowing all the rest » . 
 
 ANOTHER CHARACTER OF Mr .PITT. 
 
 The virtues of men are demonstrable only by 
 their actions , and many a first rate genius rusts 
 in obscurity , and dies unknown , merely for 
 wanl of a powerful patron, to open an occasion 
 of displaying it. 
 
 Not so with this person; he commenced his 
 political career under the most auspicious omens, 
 and neglected not the happy opportunity of 
 attacking an unpopular and beaten Minister, 
 when the popularity and name of his father 
 were a tower of strength, and the nation was 
 groaning under an incredible accumulation of 
 taxes, in consequence of measures, which had 
 his father's counsels been attended to, would 
 never have been adopted. 
 
 Mr. Pitt was too keen and penetrating not to 
 avail himself to the utmost of his peculiarly for- 
 tunate situation. Elected into parliament, with- 
 out expecting it ; — disappointed at Cambridge ; 
 
02 M r . PITT. 
 
 nor for tlie present , indulging his hopes further , 
 he became a Member of parliament, by the most 
 lucky chance (l) , at a critical period, when every 
 thing concurred to favour the talents and ambi- 
 tion , by which he was certainly inspired. 
 
 In his first essay as an orator, he surprised 
 the assembly in which his oration was delivered; 
 and the author of these pages remembers to have 
 heard the opinion of a gentleman (2), who cannot 
 be supposed prejudiced on that side of the ques- 
 tion , which was, that it surpassed any thing he 
 had ever heard from his father, even in the me- 
 ridian of his glory. Far be it from us to acquiesce 
 in such opinion , but it certainly was that of one 
 whose judgment , when not warped, was intitled 
 to deference and respect. In his maiden speeches 
 he displayed that arrogance and self-sufficiency 
 which have never forsaken him. Elated by the 
 success of a first attempt , he immediately quitted 
 the subaltern post, and boldly asserted his claim 
 
 (i)Hewas chosen for Appleby, an aristocratic borough 
 of Lord Lauderdale , through the recommendation of old 
 K. — t— k, who had casually met him at the late Duke of 
 Rutland's. Old K — t— »k, when afterwards in the la.t 
 stage of distress , labouring under the complicated misery 
 of age and sickness, applied to Mr. Pitt for soms partial 
 relief, when this founder of his fortune received a cold 
 answer from Dr. Pretyman , that Mr. Pitt W3s very 
 sorry it was not in his power to oblige him — Mr. Pitt 
 was never heard of at .Appleby, till the day on which he 
 was elected. (2) Mr. Rigley. 
 
M r . PITT. 00 
 
 , to pre-eminence, signifying that lie would never 
 1 accept an inferior office in any administration. 
 l : ; The adventurous youth was well instructed, as 
 the event has fully proved. Disastrous circum- 
 stances paved the way to his present situation, and 
 the name of his father, seconded by a series of 
 extraordinary events, served to fix the fortune 
 of his son. Pledging himself never to relinquish 
 the duty he felt incumbent on him , of exerting 
 all his powers to effect a reform of Parliament, 
 and the catchword Liberty ever foremost in his 
 mouth , while the sentiment was ever the most 
 n mote and foreign from his heart, when his 
 confidential and appointed instructors knew his 
 heart and principles better, he deluded the coun- 
 try into an opinion of his honesty, and afterwards 
 betrayed it. Mr. Pitt is indebted for his present 
 situation to the people, and he has (like many 
 others) betrayed them. He has submitted it to the 
 rod , and to that superior executive discipline 
 which renders the boasted constitution of this 
 country a mere farce , because it absorbs the two 
 other parts of it. 
 
 Could it have been imagined that a young man 
 ( young men are commonly generous and high 
 spirited) would so soon have forgot the hand that 
 raised him? He was the pledged advocate and 
 friend of the people. They had confidence in his 
 pledges, and on their support he was exalted. To 
 consider this man while a candidate for popular 
 
54 M r . PIT T. 
 
 trust and his conduct afterwards , what a wretch- 
 ed contrast does it display ! Let it not be urged 
 that a Minister's office is arduous and difficult. 
 The pretext is inadmissible. He acquired his 
 situation on the firm of liberal and popular princi- 
 ples : it is the most infamous heresy in him to 
 have abandoned them. 
 
 The future welfare and glory of this country 
 is acknowledged by all its true friends, to depend 
 on a reform in the representation of Parliament. 
 « — At present , the whole government is vested in 
 the executive power which virtually commands 
 the other two departments. Mr. Pitt , previous 
 to his elevation, maintained a similar doctrine ; 
 and to suppose a Minister , omnipotent as he is , 
 incapable of effecting a purpose, when he is sin- 
 cere and zealous in his exertions to do so , is a 
 paradox : but Mr. Pitt is the slave , the tool of 
 superior force. He departs from the principles of 
 his illustrious ancestor , who never would crouch 
 to the authority of any sovereign or cabinet, when 
 militating against his own more enlightened 
 Judgment. He resisted and generally succeeded; 
 or if baffled , resigned. His son pursues far diffe- 
 rent maxims, and for ever over-ruled, still clings 
 to the douceurs and infamy of office; for infamous 
 it most surely is, to practise measures his own 
 sentiments condemn. Never did man accede to 
 power on more just or noble principles, and ne- 
 ver did man apostatize from them with less 
 
M r . PITT. 50 
 
 reserve. He forge is all obligations, and when lie 
 might avail himself of the occasion of honourably 
 fulfilling them , in advancing the liberty and hap- 
 piuess of his country, from the glorious example 
 that we behold in France, he eternally launches 
 out inlo vapid unmeaning encomiums on the 
 boasted excellencies of the British constitution , 
 instead of adhering to his solemu contract , of 
 exerting all his influence and abilities to reform 
 its blemishes. The happy moment was neglected, 
 and extraordinary armaments prepared under the 
 falsest and most chimerical pretences, in order to 
 distract the minds of the people, and to divert 
 th( ir thoughts from the grand constitutional ob- 
 ject — the advancement of national liberty; so that 
 the observation of a popular writer (1) is strictly 
 just, that in reviewing the present administra- 
 tion, it would appear as if wars were conjured up 
 for the purpose of raising taxes, not taxes for 
 supporting wars. 
 
 W ere it necessary to expatiate on what is so 
 generally known and feit,the apostaey from those 
 popular doctrip.es , to which he owes his fortune 
 and elevation > we would only mention the scan- 
 dalous extension of excise laws during the space 
 of this adminislration, that commenced under 
 the auspicious promise of freedom, which have 
 been carried to an enormous excess , that the 
 
 [i) Mr. Paine's Righs of Man. 
 
56 M r . PITT. 
 
 author of the system himself (1), the father of 
 corruption, the model of patriotism, as Mr. Burke 
 describes him, would never have dared to think of. 
 
 We write not under the influence of preju- 
 dice , nor do we think it of the least importance 
 who is minister of this country, unless determined 
 to resist , and in consequence , reduce the in- 
 fluence of the crown, by a reform of parliament ; 
 till that period arrives, the system will be inva- 
 riably the same , as we have hitherto beheld it. 
 M. Dundas, the king's friend — the confidential 
 adviser of Lord North , has uniformly pursued 
 the plan laid down. He is now himself the princi- 
 pal machine that moves the wheels of government \ 
 the friend and secret counsellor of him who sub- 
 verted the administration of his friend , Lord 
 North. Can it then be wondered at, that he has 
 debauched his young pupil , and that the old 
 corrupt leaven still exists. 
 
 The public life of Mr. Pitt will afford no 
 room for praise to the faithful and just historian. 
 A more enlightened and unprejudiced age, when 
 the errors of antiquity shall have lost their force , 
 will behold his character in its native colours. 
 He must then appear either in the light of an 
 ungrateful hypocrite, or submit to the alternative 
 of being reckoned a man of contracted mind. 
 
 In private life, he is not more amiable or 
 
 (i)Sir R. Walpole. 
 
exemplary. Tlie ministerial system that lie lias 
 laid down, pervades tlie internal ceconomy of 
 all liis actions. He appears to imagine all true 
 dignity to consist in a coldness and reserve, that 
 banishes every snitor from his presence; nor does 
 he ever suffer any case of distress, however jnst 
 or pressing the claims may be, to divert him from 
 the routine of office, or to extort the least relief 
 or comfort from himself. Negligent and careless, 
 as he is reported to be in his domestic concerns, 
 there is not a single ray of generosity that has 
 ever burst forth to animate the general frost of 
 his character. Addicted to tlie excesses of wine, 
 he still retains his natural sulienness and reserve, 
 nor in the best moments of convivial mirth does 
 he ever display a flexibility of disposition , or 
 openness to conviction. Often as he has been 
 obliged to submit to the decree of necessity , yet 
 never has he had candour tc acknowledge the 
 weakness of any measure originating in himself, 
 that brought on that necessity. Willi all his fail — 
 litgs, his caution and plausibility are admirably 
 calculated to entrap the confidence of the landed 
 and monied interest, and he turns it to the best 
 account; labouring with all his zeal, to inculcate 
 a belief of the flourishing state of the national 
 finances ; enforcing every circumstance tending 
 to confirm this belief, and concealing every truth, 
 that would serve to diminish or destroy it. At 
 present, there appears little chance of resignation 
 
 D 
 
58 M 1 . SHERIDAN. 
 
 or dismission from the high eminence on which 
 he stands; hut let him retire or he dismissed, 
 he never will he entitled to the thanks or gra- 
 titude of his country , and he will be regarded 
 by posterity as a time-server and apostate. 
 
 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 Richard Rrinsley Sheridan is the third son of 
 Mr. Thomas Sheridan, celebrated as an actor, 
 eminent for his skill in elocution, and entitled 
 to the gratitude of the public for his judicious 
 and indefatigable exertions to improve the system 
 of education in this country. His works, with 
 the exception of some plays which he altered , 
 and the Life of Dean Swift, which he prepared 
 for publication , in general , relate to the ele- 
 ments of language , and the instruction of 
 youth (1). His father, the Reverend Doctor Tho- 
 
 (i) List of Mr. Sheridan's principal works: — The Loyal 
 Lover, Romeo and Juliet, and Coriolanus, all altered and 
 acted; British Education; A Discourse delivered in the 
 theatre at Oxford, and in the senate-house at Cambridge; 
 A Dissertation on the Causes of the Difficulties which 
 occur in learning the English Tongue; A Course of Lec- 
 tures on "Elocuiion; A Plan of Education for the young 
 Nobility and Gentry of Great Britain ; Lectures on the 
 Art of Reading, in two parts; A General Dictionary of 
 the English Language; The Works of the Rev. Dr. Jo- 
 nathan Swift, Dean of St. Patrick's, arranged, revised , 
 and corrected ; Elements of English. 
 
M r . SHERIDAN. OQ 
 
 mas Sheridan , was a distinguished divine, the 
 ablest school-master of his time, and the inti- 
 mate friend of the Dean of St. Patrick's. Mr~ 
 Thomas Sheridan died at Margate on the i4th of 
 August , 1788. 
 
 Mrs. Frances Sheridan, the mother of Richard 
 Brinsley, a lady no less respected for her do- 
 mestic virtues than admired for her literary at- 
 tainments, was the anlhor of Sidney Biddnlph, 
 a novel, winch lias the merit of combining the 
 purest morality with the most powerful interest. 
 She also wrote Nonrjahad, an Oriental Tale, 
 and the comedies of the Discovery, ihe Dnpe, 
 and a Trip to Bath. She died at Blois in France, 
 the 17th of September, 1766 ( 1 ). 
 
 The subject of this memoir was born in Dor- 
 set-street, Dublin , in the month of October, 
 l' 5i. He was placed, in his seventh year, with 
 his elder brother, Charles Francis, late Secre- 
 tary at War in Ireland, the correct and elegant 
 historian of the revolution in Sweden , under 
 
 (1) Such was the respect -paid to her memory by the 
 Bishop of Blois, that he had it intimated to her friends, 
 notwithstanding the difference of religions persuasion , 
 that they might take advantage of the night to deposit 
 her remains in consecrated ground, and no interruption 
 should be given to the interment — an indulgence in France, 
 which was perhaps never before extended to any reputed 
 heretic. Dr. Young, in his Night Thoughts, bitterly 
 ! complains of the different treatment which attended his 
 daughter's burial in the same country. 
 
4o M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 the tuition of Mr. Samuel Whyte of Dublin , 
 the friend of their father, and who has heen a 
 long time highly esteemed for his care and ability 
 in the instruction of youth. They were the two 
 first pupils of Mr. Whyte,' who opened his aca- 
 demy in April 17 58, and it is a circumstance 
 not entirely unworthy of remark, that their early 
 years afforded no promise of abilities which 
 they have since displayed. Mrs. Sheridan, whose 
 discrimination cannot be questioned, took an op- 
 portunity, on committing them to the care of 
 Mr. "Wliyte, to advert to the necessity of pa~ 
 tience in the arduous profession which he had 
 embraced, and addressed him in the following 
 language — « These boys will be your tutors in 
 that respect. I have hitherto been their only 
 instructor, and they have sufficiently exercised 
 mine ; for two such impenetrable dunces I never 
 met with. 
 
 Having remained nearly eighteen months with 
 Mr. "Whyte , they were sent by that gentleman , 
 in September 1769, to Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan, 
 who then resided at "Windsor. There they pas- 
 sed nearly a year, their education, during that 
 time, being superintended by Mrs. Sheridan her- 
 self. Richard Brinsley was placed at Harrow- 
 school, after the Christmas of 1762. The ob- 
 servation , made by his mother on the occasion, 
 taken from one of her letters, now before the 
 writer of this sketch, is, when connected with 
 
St*. SHERIDAN. 4l 
 
 Ills subsequent pursuits, rather of a singular 
 kind. She says — « Dick lias been at Harrow- 
 school since Christmas ; as he probably may fall 
 into a bustling life, we have a mind to accustom 
 him early to shift for himself. » It has been 
 reported, but without foundation, that he gave 
 recitations from the English classics during his 
 fathers lectures. His Father, on the contrary, 
 never entertained an idea of employing him in 
 that manner, as his brother Charles was very 
 much his superior in diligence, correctness of ear, 
 and powers of voice, and was remarkable, when 
 only eleven years old, for his elegant and im- 
 sive delivery of several passages from Mil- 
 ton. 
 
 The literary advancement of Mr. Sheridan at 
 Harrow, a seminary which has sent into the 
 world many finished scholars, and distinguished 
 characters, appears to have been at first retarded, 
 cither by the bluntness of his powers, or the neg- 
 ligence of his disposition. Dr. Sumner, who 
 was then master of the school, had probably, 
 from his constant attention to the boys of the 
 higher forms, no opportunity of distinguishing 
 the talents of his pupil; and it was reserved for 
 Dr. Parr, who was at that time one of the sub- 
 preceptors, to discover and call into activity the 
 faculties of young Sheridan's mind. 
 
 Richard Brinsley was at length roused from 
 the inactivity of which liis parents had so fre- 
 
42 M r , SHERIDAN, 
 
 quently complained , and the rising spirit of emu- 
 lation produced exertions, which admonition and 
 the fear of correction had vainly endeavoured to 
 excite. He felt, that to be distinguished, it 
 was necessary to devote a considerable part of 
 his time to study. His memory was found to 
 be uncommonly retentive and his judgment cor- 
 rect; and when his mind was quickened by com- 
 petition, his genius gradually expanded into that 
 happy versatility of powers which has never de- 
 serted him. But to be admired seemed his only 
 object, and when that end was attained, he 
 relaxed in his application, and sunk into his 
 forjner indolence. His last year at Harrow was 
 spent more in reflecting on the acquirements he 
 had made, and the eventful scenes of a busy 
 life, which were opening to his view, than in 
 enlarging the circle of his classical and literary 
 attainments. 
 
 His father was so highly pleased with the 
 progress his son had made in his studies, that 
 he deemed it unnecessary to send him to the 
 university; and he was, a short time after his 
 departure from Harrow , entered as a student 
 in the Middle Temple. From that period to 
 his marriage with Miss Linley, the life of Mr. 
 Sheridan seems involved in obscurity, which it 
 is difficult to clear up in a satisfactory yva.y. 
 He certainly was not , ( and this is mentioned 
 on the authority of persons who were then on 
 
Wi*. SHERIDAN. 43 
 
 terms of intimacy wit!] him, ) either the votary 
 of fashion, or immersed in dissipation. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan, when about the age of twenty, 
 
 was peculiarly fond of the society of men of taste 
 and learning, and soon gave proofs that he was 
 inferior to none of his companions in wit and 
 argument. The sum allowed for his support 
 must have been very small, as his father's pen- 
 sion from the crown (1) was barely sufficient to 
 provide for the expences incurred by a genteel, 
 but moderate plan of living-, nor were the emo- 
 luments arising from his lectures on elocution , 
 and his performances as an actor , very consi- 
 derable. In this situation , Mr. Sheridan had 
 recourse to his literary talents for pecuniary 
 supplies. He had read, immediately after his 
 leaving Harrow, with minute attention, the 
 works of our most eminent writers, and applied 
 himself to the study of English composition in 
 its various branches. Nothing, however, but 
 necessity? could have induced him to exert his 
 powers , as Dry den and many others had done 
 before him, for immediate profit; for, exclu- 
 sively of an unaccountable propensity to indo- 
 lence, which formed the distinguishing charac- 
 teristic of his youthful days , and from which 
 
 (1) A pension of 200 1. per annum was granted by his 
 Majesty, in 1762, to Mr. T. Sheridan, without solicita- 
 tion , as an encouragement to complete his English Dic- 
 tionary, and as a reward for his literary labours. 
 
44 M 1 . SHE KID AN. 
 
 lie cannot now be stimulated "bnt by some great 
 and sudden impulse, he lias ever considered a 
 mercenary writer , who is occasionally com- 
 pelled to sacrifice his own conviction to the in- 
 structions of his employer, as a character truly 
 wretched and contemptible. That he maintain- 
 ed his independence of sentiment there is no 
 ground to disbelieve ; but he had the prudence 
 to conceal, from most of his acquaintance , what- 
 ever share he had in the fleeting productions of 
 the day. He also directed his attention to the 
 drama, as a subject, in every respect, calcula- 
 ted to reward his labours with lame and emo- 
 lument ; but disgusted with some sketches of co- 
 mic character which he drew, he actually des- 
 troyed them, and, in a moment of despair, re- 
 nounced every hope of excellence as a dramatic 
 writer. A poetical translation of Aristoenelus has 
 been attributed to him, but the share which lie 
 had in that version was very limited. 
 
 Bui; the views which he may have then enter- 
 tained , either with respect to the cultivation and 
 exertion of his genius in literary pursuits, or to 
 the study of the profession to which he had been 
 destined by his father, were all lost in a passion 
 that mastered his reason. He at once saw and 
 loved Miss Linley, and , from his first introduc- 
 tion to her, indulged the hope of triumphing over 
 every obstacle that opposed his happiness. That 
 lady was no less admirable for the elegant accom- 
 
!U r . SHERIDAN. 45 
 
 plishments of 3ier sex and tlie affecting simplicity 
 of her conversation, than for tJie cliarms of her 
 person, and the fascinating powers of her voice. 
 She was the principal performer in the orato- 
 rios , at Drury-lane theatre; and the science, 
 taste, but above all, the enthusiastic feeling 
 which she displayed in the execution of the airs 
 assigned to her, are still rejnemhered with cle— 
 li<;lit. The strains which she poured forth were 
 the happiest combinations of nature and of art, 
 but nature predominated over art. Her accents 
 were so melodious and captivating, and their 
 passage to the heart so sudden and irresistible , 
 thai (( lis filing Envy would have dropped her 
 snakes, and stern-ey'd Fury's self would have 
 melted » at the sounds. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan became her avowed suitor, and 
 every idea of interest and ambition was absorb- 
 ed in his passion. Her father , Mr. Linley , 
 the late ingenious composer, was not at first 
 propitious to his passion, and he had many rivals 
 to overcome in his attempts to gain the lady's 
 affections. His perseverance , however, in- 
 creased with the difficulties that presented them- 
 selves, and his courage and resolution in vindi- 
 cating Miss Linley's reputation from a calum- 
 nious report, which had been basely thrown 
 out against it, obtained for him the fair prize 
 for which he twice exposed his life. 
 
 Mr. Mathews, a gentleman then well known 
 
46 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 in tlie fashionable circles at Bath, had caused a 
 paragraph to be inserted in a public paper at that 
 place , which tended to prejudice the character 
 of this young lady, and Mr. Sheridan imme- 
 diately applied for redress to the printer, who 
 communicated the author's name. Mr. Mathews 
 had, in the mean time, set out for London, and 
 was closely pursued by Mr. Sheridan. They met 
 and fought a duel with swords at a tavern (l) in 
 Henrietta-street, Covent-garden. Mr Sheridan's 
 second on the occasion was his brother, Charles 
 Francis, the late Secretary at "War in Ireland. 
 Great courage and skill were displayed on both 
 sides ; but Mr. Sheridan having succeeded in 
 disarming his adversary, compelled him to sign 
 a fprmal retractation of the paragraph which had 
 been published. 
 
 The conqueror instantly returned to Bath; and 
 thinking that, as the insult had been publicly 
 given, the apology should have equal notoriety, 
 he caused it to be published in the same paper. 
 Mr. Mathews soon heard, of this circumstance , 
 and, irritated at his defeat, and the use which his 
 antagonist had made of his retractation, repaired 
 to Balh, determined to call upon Mr. Sheridan 
 for satisfaction. A message was accordingly sent, 
 and a meeting agreed to : Mr. Sheridan would 
 
 ( i )The house situated at the west-end of Henrietta -street, 
 now a china- warehouse, and partly in Bedford-street. 
 
JVI r . SHERIDAN. 47 
 
 have been justified, according to the most deli- 
 cate punctilios of honour, in declining the call; 
 but he silenced all the objections that were started 
 by his friends, and the parties met on Kings- 
 down. The victory was desperately contested , 
 and , after a discharge of pistols, they fought 
 with swords. They were both wounded , and 
 closing with each other, fell on the ground, 
 where the fight was continued until they were 
 separated. They received several wounds in this 
 arduous struggle for life and honour, and a part 
 of his opponent's weapon was left in Mr. She- 
 ridan's ear. 
 
 Miss Linley did not suffer a long time to elapse 
 before she rewarded Mr. Sheridan for the dan- 
 gers he had braved in her defence, by accom- 
 panying him on a matrimonial excursion to the 
 Continent. The ceremony was again performed, 
 on their return to England, With the consent of 
 the lady's parents. 
 
 From the period of her marriage, Mr. Sheri- 
 dan never appeared as a public performer. Her 
 situation in the oratorios was filled by her 
 younger sister , (1) Miss Mary Linley. Several 
 lucrative proposals were*, about this time, made 
 to Mrs. Sheridan to induce her once more to 
 charm the public ear, but they were rejected 
 
 ( 1) Tiii; young lady died sirging « I knoAv that my Ke- 
 r live: h. 
 
48 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 > 
 
 with disdain by Mr. Sheridan. During their re- 
 sidence in Orchard-street, they were subject to 
 very distressing embarrassments ; and it was not 
 a very uncommon thing to want the necessary 
 supplies for the day that was passing over them; 
 yet the firmness of Mr. Sheridan , in resisting 
 every proposal of this nature , by which any 
 loss of estimation in the eyes of the world might 
 be incurred, remained invincible. He received 
 a letter from the proprietors of the Pantheon , 
 which was then about to be opened, offering 
 Mrs. Sheridan one thousand pounds for her per- 
 formance during twelve nights, and one thou- 
 sand pounds /more for a benefit, the profits of 
 which they were to appropriate to their own 
 use. The proposal of so large a sum as two 
 thousand pounds, which might have been gained 
 in a few weeks, was not even politely declined, 
 but rejected with indignation by Mr. Sheridan, 
 notwithstanding the earnest entreaties of his 
 wife. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan, who was now encumbered with 
 the cares of a family, felt the necessity of im- 
 mediate exertion to provide for the pressing 
 calls inseparable from a domestic establishment, 
 which, if not splendid, was marked with all the 
 appearances of genteel life. 
 
 His attempt at dramatic composition, and the 
 moderate opinion which he entertained of his 
 talents in that respect , have been already noticed ; 
 
M r . SHERIDAN. 49 
 
 but liis charming lines 1o Miss Linley, and 
 
 some occasional productions , which displayed 
 with equal happiness his talent for natural ten- 
 derness of sentiment and brilliancy of wit, had 
 secured to him 110 mean reputation as a poet. 
 Tims compelled to become a candidate for pub- 
 lic favour , he once more resumed his courtship 
 of the Comic Muse ; and having finished his play 
 of the Rivals, he presented it to the Manager of 
 Covent-garden Theatre, and it was accordingly 
 represented on the 17 th of January , 1775. This 
 comedy was justly considered , by candid criti- 
 cism, as a most promising essay for an author in 
 his twenty -fifth year, but the public opinion 
 did not exactly coincide with that of acknow- 
 ledged judges of dramatic merit; and, in conse- 
 quence of some slight disapprobation, it was 
 withdrawn after the first night's performance. 
 The partial failure of the piece has been attri- 
 buted to the indifferent acting of Mr. Lee, in the 
 character of Sir Lucius O'Trigger. For that gen- 
 tleman, though allowed to possess considerable 
 merit in parts of much more importance, had 
 not sufficiently studied the whimsical Lumour and 
 national manner of Irish characters. Whatever 
 may have been the cause, Mr. Sheridan withdrew 
 liis play without any compulsion; and, having 
 made some judicious alterations , both in the 
 progress of the plot and in the language, it was 
 tly after brought forward again , and received 
 •in the most favourable manner. e 
 
5o M r . SHEJtIDAN; 
 
 Tlie fable of the Rivals possesses a sufficient 
 degree of probability to render it interesting ; 
 the incidents succeed each other in natural pro- 
 gression, and the dialogue is witty, humourous, 
 and characteristic, interspersed with pathetic 
 appeals to the heart, but without those extraor- 
 dinary effusions of excellence which , from the 
 pen of the same writer , have since delighted 
 the fancy and improved the understanding, on 
 the stage and in the closet. 
 
 Had Mr. Sheridan's powers been evinced but 
 by this comedy only, he would have been placed 
 at no very great distance beyond the common 
 crowd of play-wrights. 
 
 His next production was the force of St-Pa- 
 trick's Day , or The Scheming Lieutenant ., a 
 piece evidently written more for the purpose of 
 trying his ability to excite loud laughter and 
 humorous merriment , than with a view of en- 
 larging his reputation. It was presented by him 
 to Mr. Clinch, as a testimony of his good opi- 
 nion , for the assistance lie had experienced from 
 that gentleman's excellent performance of Sir 
 Lucius O'Trigger, in the Rivals, in which he had 
 succeeded Mr. Lee. The farce of St.-Patrick's 
 Day was actually written in eight - and - forty 
 hours, and was performed, for the benefit of 
 Mr. Clinch, on the 2d of May, in the same 
 year. 
 
 At the commencement of the ensuing season, 
 
]Vl r . S HER I D A N. 5l 
 
 ]ie brought out his comic opera of llic > Duenn <7, 
 a composition in every respect superior io the 
 general class of english operas then in fashion. 
 The plot of this pleasing piece, which deserv- 
 edly retains its popularity on the stage , is sim- 
 ple , and incapable of producing much interest; 
 hut the elegance of the diction, the sweetness 
 of the poetry, and the appropriate spirit infused, 
 into the characters, place it beyond all compe- 
 tition with the sing-sons trifles which were then 
 in high repute. The Duenna surpassed even 
 the Beggars' Opera in attraction and popularity, 
 and was performed seventy-five nights during 
 die season, while Gay's singular production ran 
 only sixty-five. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan's circumstances becoming about 
 this time more independent, and his genius 
 having struck out a line productive of fame and 
 profit, he began to indulge in expensive enter- 
 tainments, and he found no difficulty in extend- 
 ing his connections in fashionable life. « The 
 « feast of reason and the flow of soul » were 
 seldom absent from the hospitalities of his house , 
 and they were unquestionably very much pro- 
 moted by the strength of argument and bril- 
 liancy of wit which he could call forth in the 
 hours of instructive inquiry, or sportive convi- 
 viality, as well as by the charms of Mrs. She- 
 ridan's conversation, and her fascinating powers 
 of voice. 
 
52 m T . SHERIDAN. 
 
 Mr. Garrlck Laving resolved to retire from 
 the management of Drury-lane Theatre, a ne- 
 gotiation for the purchase of his share of the 
 patent was entered into with him by Di\ Ford, 
 Mr. :Linley, and Mr. Sheridan, who, in 1776, 
 paid the sum of 3o,ooo 1. for it. 
 
 It now became his interest to apply his talents 
 in support of the theatre in which he was so ma- 
 terially concerned , and he immediately brought 
 out the Trip to Scarborough ^ altered from 
 Vanbrugh's comedy of the Relapse. It was per- 
 formed on the 24th of February, 1777; and, 
 though the dialogue was much improved, and 
 the incidents judiciously altered, the audience 
 did not receive it in a very favourable manner 
 on the first night of representation, on account 
 of the incorrectness of the performers in general. 
 It -was afterwards played to crowded houses. 
 
 His next production was the comedy of the 
 School for Scandal, which has deservedly raised 
 his fame to undisputed pre-eminence over all 
 the contemporary, dramatic-writers, and confer- 
 red, in the opinion of the foreign literati, a 
 lustre on the British comedy which it did 
 not previously possess. The School for Scandal 
 was performed on the 8th of May, 1777, and 
 attracted from that early period to the conclusion 
 of the season , the most fashionable and nume- 
 rous audiences. A play of such superior merit, 
 and written by so young an author, was rewarded 
 
M r . SIIERIDA N. i)0 
 
 With unqualified applause. The critics of that 
 time were anxiously engaged in extolling the 
 beauties with which it abounds, and some of 
 them were not wanting to discover others, that 
 ciiher do not exist, or are still unknown (o 
 the writer himself. The tide of public favour 
 ran with irresistible impetuosity, and dramatic 
 excellence and the name of Sheridan became 
 synonimous. But, although it must ever rank 
 as a fiiiisheil piece in the simplicity of plot, in 
 the natural progression of incident, in the faith- 
 ful imitation of manners, in the vigorous and 
 exact delineation of living character, and, above 
 all , in fertility of wil and felicity of expression; 
 it is to be lamented, that the author did not 
 apply himself with more care to improve the 
 heart, and stimulate the public mind to the cul- 
 tivation of morality. 
 
 The fashionable taste for Scandal is indeed 
 exposed ; but it is exposed to the laughter, not 
 to the contempt and detestation, of the audience. 
 Tt produces mirth, but does not excite execra- 
 tion. The hypocrite, who covers his abominable 
 designs with tfifc mask of honour and integrity r 
 is indeed punished $ but the punishment is not 
 commensurate to the offence, and our abhorrence 
 is weakened by the unseasonable playfulness of 
 the poet's satire. The author is too strenuous 
 an advocate for dissipation of manners , and the 
 vices of libertinism are too successfully defended. 
 
&4 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan appears, in a great measure, to 
 have forgotten the legitimate end of dramatic 
 composition, and not to have been sufficiently 
 sensible , that whatever is intended for the amuse- 
 ment of society at large , should also be capable 
 of communicating solid instruction, and produ- 
 cing real amendment. It has been remarked , 
 with some degree of propriety , that the cha- 
 racters of Joseph and Charles have been taken 
 from Fielding's Blihl , and. Tom Jones; and 
 that the disguise assumed by Sir Oliver Surface 
 has been borrowed from a similar incident in 
 Mrs. Sheridan's novel. 
 
 Early in the following season, he produced 
 the musical piece of The Camp, a temporary 
 jeu d' esprit , which afforded much entertainment ; 
 and his Critic, written upon the model of the 
 Duke of Buckingham's Rehearsal, came out on 
 the 5oth of October, 1787. The success of the 
 Critic was complete and. well deserved ; and , 
 though the subject had been very ably handled 
 by his ingenious predecessor, he succeeded in 
 embellishing it with so great a variety of ludi- 
 crous incidents, and introduced such extraor- 
 dinary novelty of satire, as to divest it of the 
 slightest appearance of imitation. 
 
 The lamented death of the British Roscius, 
 in 1779? furnished Mr. Sheridan with an oppor- 
 tunity of exercising powers of a very diiferent 
 nature; and he wrote the monody to the me- 
 
T.I a . S II E II 1 D A X. 00 
 
 mory of Mr. Garriek, wliicli was recited at 
 Drury-lane Theatre, by Mrs. Yates, in the 
 month of March, of the same year. The sen- 
 timents are, in general, appropriate to the oc- 
 ,>n , and the poetry possesses strength and 
 melody. 
 
 Notwithstanding the profits which he derived 
 from his pieces, and the share lie had in the 
 theatre, which was very considerable, as lie had 
 obtained Mr. Lacy "s interest in the patent, a pro- 
 perly equally valuable with that of Mr. Garriek, 
 ?ud of course -worth, on the lowest calculation, 
 thirty thousand pounds , his pecuniary embar- 
 rassments had considerably increased. His do- 
 mestic establishment was not only very expen- 
 sive, but conducted without any kind of regu- 
 larity. The persuasions of Mr. Fox , whose 
 friendship he had carefully cultivated, operated 
 with a firm conviction of his own abilities, in 
 determining him to procure a seat in the House 
 of Commons. For some time before he had en- 
 deavoured to qualify himself for public speaking, 
 by declaiming at the private meetings of several 
 of his most intimate acquaintances; and it was 
 customary with him, like the logical disputants 
 of antiquity , to start a subject of discussion, and 
 advocate either side of the question, for the pur- 
 pose of exercising his ingenuiiy in argument. 
 
 A general election taking place in 1780, 
 Mr. Sheridan profiled of the occasion to coin- 
 
56 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 mencehis political career, and accordingly offered 
 himself as a representative for Stafford. In the 
 adoption of this measure , he appears to have 
 been actuated by several important considera- 
 tions. The borough of Stafford was not devoted 
 to the interest of any particular patron ; it was 
 free from all suspicion of ministerial influence, 
 and the arts of corruption had ever tried, without 
 effect, to undermine the independence of the 
 electors. At least, no legal proof has been yet 
 brought forward to establish any instance of cor- 
 ruption. One of the late members , who again 
 offered himself as a candidate , had not only be- 
 come unpopular, but odious, to several of the 
 leading men of Stafford. 
 
 All these circumstances, strengthened by a 
 pressing invitation, and a promise of the most 
 zealous support from a principal gentleman of 
 the place, induced Mr. Sheridan to propose him- 
 self as a candidate to represent the borough of 
 Stafford in the next parliament. He accordingly 
 proceeded to the spot, and was perfectly satisfied 
 with the pleasing prospect of success that opened I 
 to his ambition. But although he experienced 
 uncommon disinterestedness, and great liberality 
 of conduct in the people of Stafford, a certain 
 degree of expence which has, for a long time, 
 blended itself with the purest proceedings of the 
 elective system in this country, was found una- 
 voidable ; and our yoiing politician's resources 
 
M r . S II E R 1 D A N. 67 
 
 Were not in the most flourish i ag stale. lie was 
 soon convinced, tliat the moderate sum of one 
 
 thousand pounds was a sine qua mm , which alone 
 could bring tlie negotiation between the new 
 champion of liberty and the independent electors 
 to a successful conclusion. The money was at 
 lh raised, and one of the gentlemen, who 
 contributed lo iiie supply, has been since libe- 
 rally rewarded with an opera share. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan was accordingly returned for 
 Stafford, and, from the moment of his introduc- 
 tion into the House of Commons, became a firm 
 supporter of all the measures of opposition. 
 Though he contented himself, in the commence- 
 ,1 of ihe session, with giving a silent vote 
 against the minister, he was indefatigable without 
 doors in seconding the views of his party, and in 
 exciting the clamour of public indignation against 
 the measures of government. Pie constantly at- 
 tended popular meetings and political clubs, and 
 Iils pen was employed with success in several pe- 
 riodical publications. He had a considerable 
 share ill the Englishman , which was conducted 
 with great acrimony against the administration 
 of Lord North; and when the Rockingham party 
 came into power, in 1782, his exertions were 
 rewarded with the appointment of Under-Secre- 
 tary to Mr. Fox, then Secretary of State for the 
 Foreign Department. 
 
 The death of the Marquis of Rockingham, and 
 
53 M r . SHEUIDA N. 
 
 the unexpected elevation of the Earl of Shelburne 
 to the important office of First Lord of the 
 Treasury , completely defeated the views of 
 opposition , and the ever- memorable coalition 
 having heen formed , Mr. Sheridan was once 
 more called upon to carry on hostilities against 
 the new administration. Mr. Sheridan's efforts 
 in the cause w r ere not supposed to be entire- 
 ly confined to the House of Commons : a 
 periodical work called the Jesuit soon made 
 its appearance to which it is said , he contri- 
 buted in common with the rest of his party. 
 The energy with which this paper was written, 
 together with the very firm and increasing op- 
 position to the new-fangled administration, form- 
 ed by the Shelburne parLy , were such as soon 
 succeeded in completely overturning it. Mr. She- 
 ridan was in consequence once more brought into 
 place, and appointed, in April, 17 83, Secretary 
 of the Treasury. 
 
 With what effect the talents of Mr. Sheridan 
 were exertedin the discharge of his official duties, 
 while lie filled the situations of Under-Secretary 
 of State and Joint -Secretary of the Treasury, it 
 is immaterial to inquire. The whole of the time 
 which he passed in these places was not quite a 
 year, and the chief requisites to perform the du- 
 ties of them are attention, punctuality and dis- 
 patch — qualities in which his most enthusiastic 
 admirers will hardly contend for his pre-eminence. 
 
M r . S II E RID A k. 5g 
 
 Until 1783, lie appears to have been a figure in- 
 troduced into the political picture, more for the 
 purpose of completing the group in ilie back 
 ground 3 than of standing forward as a principal 
 character. But the irresistible impulse of genius 
 gave a sudden expansion to his powers , extri- 
 cated him from the inferior estimation in which 
 he was held, and placed him, if not in an equal 
 rank with Mr. Fox and Mr. Burke , at least . in 
 the very tfext io it. 
 
 His defence of Mr. Fox's celebrated East-India 
 Bill was distinguished for logical precision; and 
 .though lie had not, on previous occasions , de- 
 livered his sentiments with extraordinary ability, 
 his speech on that interesting subject was so mas- 
 terly ,, as to induce the public opinion to select 
 him from the second class of parliamentary speak- 
 ers. In 1785, his powers began to expand in 
 proportion to the confidence which lie acquired in 
 debate, and his observations on Mr. Pitt's Perfu- 
 mery-bill were justly admired for splendid effu- 
 sions of wit and great force of argument. But 
 the part lie took in the consideration of the Irish 
 Propositions , which were brought forward du- 
 ring the same year, was peculiarly striking, and 
 
 .raised his reputation as an orator to a yery su- 
 perior degree. In calling the attention of the 
 ►e to the fourth proposition, he displayed a 
 
 ! general knowledge of the -interests of both king- 
 doms , and a depth of investigation which the 
 
Go M r . S H E B. I D A N. 
 
 most sanguine expectations of his friends could 
 not have anticipated ; and , from that moment ,. 
 he was viewed as a formidable opponent hy the 
 present minister, and looked up to with admi- 
 ration , as a principal leader of the party to 
 which he belonged. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan had many difficulties to encounter 
 in his parliamentary life. His father was an 
 actor, he had himself largely contributed, to the 
 entertainment of the public, and was^the ma- 
 nager of a theatre. The prejudices of mankind, 
 however ridiculous, are too often victorious over 
 the claims of genuine merit , and would have , 
 perhaps , prevailed in intimidating any other 
 person than the man against whom they were, 
 in this instance , directed. Fully convinced of 
 his decided superiority over birth and fortune , 
 he proceeded, regardless of personal reflections; 
 and if his opponents succeeded in irritating 
 him by the asperity of their allusions, he met 
 them with manly resolution, chastised them with 
 the lash of legitimate satire, or held them up to 
 universal ridicule in bursts of extemporaneous 
 wit, that have never been equalled in the Bri- 
 tish senate. The conduct of the Premier, in his 
 unguarded allusions to Mr. Sheridan's dramatic 
 pursuits was severely punished; and that dig- 
 nified manner which should mark the behaviour 
 of the first statesman in Europe , sitting in the 
 first assembly in Europe, was , for a moment, 
 
H r . SHERIDAN. 6l 
 
 transformed into (lie quarrelsome petulance of 
 tlie angry boy. The correction was productive of 
 salutary effects, and Mr. Sheridan lias complete- 
 ly triumphed over the splenetic and paltry 
 efforts of his opponents to check his talents, and 
 degrade his public character. 
 
 He was rapidly approaching to perfection, as a 
 public speaker, and the impeachment of Mr. Has- 
 tings supplied him with an opportunity of dis- 
 playing powers which were then unrivalled, but 
 have since rather declined than sustained them- 
 selves with equal vigour. His speech delivered 
 in the House of Commons, in April, 1787, on 
 tjie eighth article, as stated in the order laid down 
 by Mr. Burke, relative to ft money corruptly and 
 illegally taken, » was allowed to equal the most 
 argumentative and impassioned orations that had 
 ever been addressed to the judgment and feelings 
 of the British Parliament. He fixed the unin- 
 terrupted attention of the house for upwards of 
 five hours , confirmed the minds of those who wa- 
 vered, and produced co-operation from a quarter, 
 which, it was supposed, would have been hostile 
 to any further proceeding. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan seems, at this period, to have 
 been convinced of the necessity of indefatigable 
 application and persevering industry, to support 
 the splendid fame he had acquired, and according- 
 ly prepared himself, with unremitting assiduity, 
 
 F 
 
6$ K r . SHERID A N. 
 
 to perform Ms official duties as one of the ma- 
 nagers of the prosecution, instituted by the re- 
 presentatives of the people against Mr. Hastings, 
 and carried on before the supreme tribunal of the 
 nation. 
 
 In the long examination of Mr. Middlcton, he 
 gave decided proofs of a strong and discrimi- 
 nating mind ; but when, in June 1788, he summed 
 up the evidence 011 the charge, respecting the 
 confinement and imprisonment of the Princesses 
 of Ou.de , and the seizure of their treasures , his 
 superiority over his colleagues was established by 
 universal consent. His mind, indeed, appears 
 to have been elevated by the importance of the 
 subject; and he conceived its various relations 
 with a perspicuity that was embellished by the 
 noblest effusions of eloquence — 
 
 «Animo viJit ; ingeniq complexus est; 
 Elocuientia ornavit. » 
 
 But however admirable his speech may be now 
 considered, as a composition, there were, at that 
 time , several circumstances of magnitude and 
 singularity, that conspired to give it a celebrity, 
 which posterity will scarcely admit it to possess. 
 To form a just opinion of this memorable oration, 
 which occupied the attention of the court for five 
 hours, and excited the admiration of the public, 
 it would be necessary to have heard Mr. Sheridan 
 himself; and, to those who have not witnessed 
 
M r 
 
 SHM1DA X. 63 
 
 the correctness , slrcns^ili , and animation of Lis 
 elocution , it will be sufficient to repeat what 
 was said by Escliines to tlie people of Rhodes , 
 in praise of the oration which had caused his 
 ishment — « What applauses won Id you not 
 have conferred, had you heard Demosthenes. de- 
 liver il himself?)! 
 
 It is difficult to select any part of it as the sub- 
 ject of peculiar encomium. The address, with 
 which lie arranged his materials ; the art and 
 force with which he anticipated objections ; the 
 unexampled ingenuity with which he commen- 
 ted on the evidence , and the natural boldness of 
 his imagery, are equally entitled, to panegyric^ 
 lie combined the three kinds of eloquence. He 
 was clear and unadorned — diffuse and pathetic 
 - — animated and vehement. There was 'nothing 
 superfluous — no affected turn — no glittering point 
 — no false sublimity. Compassion and indigna- 
 tion were alternately excited, and the wonderous 
 effects related of the eloquence of Greece and 
 Rome were almost revived. 
 
 Soon alter this great sera in the public life of 
 Mr. Sheridan , the deplorable indisposition of his 
 Majesty, which plunged the country into a state 
 of the deepest distress , led to the discussion of a 
 question, exceeding in political magnitude every 
 other national occurrence from the revolution of 
 1688 down to that time. The ministry and 
 oppositioji essentially differed with respect to the 
 
64- M r . SHERIDA m 
 
 means to he adopted for supplying the defect of 
 i.he personal exercise of the royal authority, and 
 Mr. Sheridan took a leading part in the attempts 
 which were made to declare the Prince of W^ ales 
 regent, without such restrictions as Parliament 
 should think fit to impose. The favour in which 
 he was held at Carleton - house was certainly su- 
 perior to that enjoyed by the most distinguished 
 members of the party, and his conduct occasioned 
 suspicions that have never been completely remov- 
 ed. His Royal Highness was very much in the 
 habit of consulting Mr. Sheridan, and his answer 
 to Mr. Pitt's letter, with respect to the restrictions 
 on the regency, which was allowed to be dignified, 
 cautious , and temperate , has been principally 
 ascribed to the prudent counsels of this gentleman. 
 Mr. Sheridan's strenuous support at this time, of 
 what he chose to call the rights of the heir apparent* 
 in opposition to the rights of the people, as re- 
 siding in their representatives, how much soever 
 he may dignify it with the title of gratitude to 
 his patron , can never be regarded by the real 
 friends of the constitution , but as a glaring 
 dereliction of the principles with which he com- 
 menced his political career. The spirit of party, 
 and the strong prejudices of the moment being 
 now consigned to oblivion , it may be fairly 
 asked , whether he , or any other declared 
 advocate of the rights of the people , acted 
 consistently in opposing the following resolution , 
 
M r 
 
 S H E III D A x\. 65 
 
 which was proposed by Mr. Pitt, and passed by 
 the British Parliament: 
 
 « Resolved , That it is the opinion of ihis com- 
 mittee, that it is the right and duly of the Lords 
 itual and temporal, and Commons of Great 
 Britain, now assembled, and lawfully, fully, 
 and freelv represent! ng all the estates of the 
 people of this realm, to provide the means of 
 supplying the defect of the personal exercise of 
 tlie Royal Authority, arising from his Majesty's 
 indisposition, in such a manner as the exigency 
 of the case may appear to require. » 
 
 Mr- SherMans objection to the resolution did 
 not arise from any statement contained in it, 
 respecting the full and free representation of the 
 people, but he and his friends argued against the 
 power of both houses , in any case , to limit the 
 authority of the regent, and contended, that the 
 immediate nomination of the heir-apparent ought 
 to take place, as a matter of constitutional right. 
 Those who are sincere admirers of the British Con- 
 stitution, as derived from the legitimate source of 
 authority, will never be brought to coincide in 
 the doctrines advanced upon the occasion, by the 
 members of opposition. But the prospect 
 of approaching power can quiet the most conscien- 
 tious scruples, and silence statements that would 
 rwise have been proclaimed as the inalien- 
 able rights of Englishmen; and the palladium of 
 public security. 
 
68 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 The Illness of the king proved however of much 
 shorter duration than was expected , or even 
 wished for, by the ambitious projects of Mr. 
 Sheridan and his colleagues; for at the very mo- 
 ment when the conclusion of the regency settle- 
 ment seemed to hold forth to them the loaves and 
 fishes /his Majesty's recovery removed the savoury 
 sight , and left the hungry expectants in the ranks 
 of a dejected opposition. 
 
 When towards the close of the year 1791 , the 
 gigantic ambition of Mr. Pitt had formed the 
 bond of union and cooperation with nearly all the 
 great European powers , against France and 
 French liberty ; Mr. Sheridan 'was one of the 
 very few representatives in the house of com- 
 mons , who had the courage boldly to stand for- 
 ward and set before the eyes of his countrymen, 
 the calamities and disgraces which such a mad 
 crusade could not fail to entail upon Great Britain. 
 His admonitions it is too well known proved fruit- 
 less ; the war broke out , and soon justified the ap- 
 prehensions of its opponents. Here it is a justice 
 we owe to the character of Mr. Sheridan to declare, 
 that during the whole of that dreadful contest , he 
 never ceased to deprecate its continuance , and 
 was ever the first to support the motions of those 
 who wished to bring about a reconciliation be- 
 tween the belligerent powers. On every other 
 occasion too, unconnected with the war, that 
 arose during its continuance, it gives us pleasure 
 
M r . S II E R ID A N. G7 
 
 to add, he never once forgot liis duty to his 
 country, or his fidelity lo his sovereign. Not a 
 
 single question of political magnitude arose which 
 he did not illumine by the depth of his genius, 
 or simplify by the acnteness of his discrimination; 
 this was more particularly exemplified in every 
 important discussion relative to constitutional 
 subjects, and (ven wlicn tlie dry calculations of 
 nuance came before the house in the shape of a 
 budget or a committee of ways and means, there 
 was no man more forward in detecting the false 
 statements of the minister, or so happy in expo- 
 sing them as himself. Mr. Sheridan likewise ea- 
 gerly seized every occasion oi manifesting himself 
 a zealous supporter of parliamentary reform, of 
 the liberty oi' the press and religions toleration. 
 On the other side he did not level himself to the 
 selfish drudgery of a mere partizan, but on more 
 than one occasion proved that when the salvation 
 of Great Britain was at stake, he knew no other 
 party but that of the country. This was particu- 
 larly instanced at the time of the naval mutiny, 
 when his spirited conduct not only received the 
 thanks of the chancellor of the exchequer, but 
 drew on him the applause of the whole nation. 
 
 In the year 1801 , when Mr. Pitt found that even 
 his extraordinary talents failed in devising new- 
 resources for carrying on the war, or alledging 
 even a single feasible reason for its continuance; 
 when he slunk behind the curtain, leaving the 
 
68 
 
 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 reins of tlie state in the hands of his underlings, 
 wlien tlie only claim such men could have to the 
 patience of the nation was the relieving it from 
 the intolerable grievances of a ten years war, it 
 was not to be expected that Mr. Sheridan would 
 remain silent, or oppose an accommodation when 
 he had so long inculcated the absolute necessity 
 of it. He accordingly came forward, and wilh 
 the whole of the friends with whom he had acted, 
 gave a full and hearty acquiescence to the peace, 
 which, (( although neither glorious nor honou- 
 « rable for Great Britain , inasmuch as she did 
 <c not attain any one of the objects for which 
 ((she professed to have commenced the war, 
 « was, » as Mr. Sheridan remarked, « as good as 
 a from existing circumstances she had a right to 
 « expect. » 
 
 Mr. Sheridan's political conduct has hitherto, 
 with a single exception, been entitled to our 
 warmest commendations, and happy should we 
 feel ourselves to record that the sequel of it has 
 borne the same stamps but impartiality calls upon 
 us too imperiously , for us to refuse obeying her 
 dictates. 
 
 That Mr. Sheridan should continue to support 
 a peace , to which he had given his unqualified ap- 
 probation, and that he should firmly oppose an 
 infraction of it , are circumstances that follow in 
 the natural order of events, bat for which he is 
 nevertheless entitled to the approbation of every 
 
XT r . S HER IDAN, 69 
 
 true lover of his country. When Mr. Slier iclan 
 however, alter opposing lhat infraction, supports 
 ihe war to which it gave rise , every man of inte- 
 grity and independence must condemn his con- 
 duct. When we cast our eyes over the admini- 
 stration of shreds and patches which Mr. Pitt left 
 behind him , and which still continues to shed 
 their baleful influence over a once happy land, 
 the very scum and offals of an administration 
 which Mr. Sheridan so energetically opposed ever 
 since he commenced his political career, between 
 whom and himself there can consequently be 110 
 common tie of talents , genius , or politics ; it is 
 impossible to suppress our astonishment and in- 
 dignation; if to this circumstance we add that he 
 has joined them in support of a war, the injustice 
 of which is acknowledged throughout every coun- 
 try in Europe , but in none more so than in Great 
 Britain itself, what can solve such a political 
 enigma, but... corruption. It is not necessary for 
 Mr. Sheridan to occupy any post or office to re- 
 ceive an emolument for... his support, we were 
 going to say, silence ; for so much does he appear 
 ashamed of his associates, that he has almost lost 
 the powers of utterance evei since he has been in 
 their company. The civil list is enormous , and as 
 when a man consents to forfeit the well-earned 
 reputation of a whole life ; when he consents to 
 abandon his old friends, and yet ... blushes to 
 acknowledge his new ones , such a sacrifice , we 
 
70 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 conclude $ must have met with ... no common re- 
 compense, 
 
 Mr. Sheridan's voice is strong and distinct , but 
 his delivery is often precipitate , and his manner 
 unimportant. He wants the dignity of Mr. Pitt, 
 and the fire of Mr. Fox ; but , in the ingenuity of 
 observation , and the felicity of reply, he is not 
 inferior to either of them in their happiest mo- 
 ments. He excels in raillery , which , at once 
 elegant and severe, is peculiarly suited to the 
 senate. Though he seems cautiously to avoid the 
 use of figurative diction and splendid imagery in 
 his speeches, his celebrated oration on the trial 
 of Mr. Hastings is an ample testimony of his abi- 
 lity to introduce them with the most appropriate 
 effect. 
 
 It cannot be denied, that bis propensity to 
 epigrammatic point and humorous allusion fre- 
 quently exceeds the bounds of propriety , and 
 hurries him to a levity of remark that is at 
 variance with the gravity of the subject in dis- 
 cussion. We laugh indeed for the moment, but 
 soon condemn the speaker for trifling with a 
 great object of national consideration. "W hen, for 
 instance, on the motion for repealing the Act 
 for Suspending the Habeas Corpus Act, and on 
 the measure for arming the country , in conse- 
 quence of his Majesty's message ■, he has talked of 
 (( an army of six men , commanded by a taylor, 
 and encamped in a back-garret,)) and of « foraging 
 
M r . S HER 1 DAN. rl 
 
 iii fruit . - shops , parading in Piccadilly,^ and 
 taking the field in Rotten row; » — who can avoid 
 condemning what certainly is not authorized by 
 the artifice, much less by the art, of eloquence? 
 Tlie rules of public conduct, like the laws of the 
 drama , are founded in consistency; and with the 
 latter Mr. Sheridan cannot be unacquainted, — 
 
 a Singula quae que locum teneant sortita decenter »'. 
 
 There has appeared of late in his speeches a 
 negligence that is evidently caused by momentary 
 indolence, or the want of previous application; 
 and the observation made by the first statesman 
 of the country, that, « however greatly he admir- 
 ed the talents of Mr. Sheridan , he was confident, 
 that gentleman might exert t em with more 
 effect. » is perfectly correct. « Honied assent , so 
 pleasant to the taste of man , » has ever been 
 peculiarly grateful to Mr. Sheridan's feelings , and 
 a cheer from the opposition bench , excited by 
 some brilliant effusion of wit, has often suppressed 
 in him any farther display of ability in debate. 
 He had gained what, he so much courted, and he 
 resolved to preserve it undiminished. 
 
 Mrs. Sheridan died in June, 1792 . and he has 
 a son by that lady, who possesses considerable 
 abilities. In 1795 , he married Miss Ogle, youngest 
 daughter of the Reverend Doctor Newton Ogle, 
 Dean of Winchester, The issue of his second 
 marriage is also a son. 
 
7^ M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 Of the integrity and honour of Mr. Sheridan in 
 private life, report speaks unfavourably (1). His 
 
 (r) A punctual paymaster is a character to which of all 
 others Mr. Sheridan is the least entitled, and the evasions 
 and tricks he has recourse to with his creditors , have more 
 than once involved him in a disagreeable dilemma. It was 
 not very long since he was waited on by his wine merchant 
 in person, to settle a large balance of many years standing , 
 for which the clerk had been for a long time dunning him 
 to no purpose. As the wine merchant had resolved to call 
 at much too early an hour for Mr. Sheridan to have gone 
 out, he received for answer that Mr. S. was not up, 
 a Good , » replied he to the servant, « then if you will let 
 me sit down , I "11 stop till he does get up. » The servant 
 could not well refuse so modest a request , and accordingly 
 shewed the gentleman into a back parlour. Mr. S. was no 
 sooner informed of what was going on , than he perceived 
 the trap that was laid for him , and resolved to take advan- 
 tage of it; accordingly after breakfasting perfectly at his 
 ease 3 he left the house , went to the wine merchant's, be'ng 
 sure of not meeting him at home, and seeing the clerk, 
 told him, he wished the wine might be sent in immediately , 
 as he had some friends at home waiting to taste it. a What 
 wine , » said the clerk ? « Why , a pipe of old Port, I or- 
 dered in of your master two hours ago , and which was to 
 have been sent by this time. » The clerk, who knew his 
 master was gone to Mr. S/s for the amount of his bill, now 
 made no doubt but the latter had discharged it, and accor- 
 dingly sent him a pipe of the oldest Port in the cellars , im- 
 mediately. By the time it was safe in Mr Sheridan's pos- 
 session , the wine merchant, wearied out at length with 
 stopping , thought proper to ring the hell, and inquire if 
 Mr.S. was coming down soon. c<Lord bless me, ^replied the 
 servant, who had previously received his cue, a I beg your 
 
H r . SHERIDA N. 73 
 
 conduct too as manager and principal proprietor 
 of the first theatre in the kingdom, and Lis punc- 
 tuality in the discharge of the duties contracted 
 by him in that situation , have rarely been the 
 subject of praise. 
 
 In private life , Mr. Sheridan is one of the 
 most entertaining and instructive companions in 
 the kingdom. His conversation abounds in willy 
 similitudes, humorous allusions, and lively repar- 
 tee; and when any subject of enlarged investiga- 
 tion is brought forward , the treasures of general 
 learning, with which he has stored his mind, are 
 proportionate to the exigency of the moment. It 
 is, perhaps, in the knowledge of human nature 
 that he surpasses all his contemporaries. His saga- 
 city has been particularly exercised in discovering 
 the character and propensities of his acquaintances, 
 or of those with whom he has any business to 
 transact, and he generally succeeds in converting 
 this kind of knowledge to his own advantage. 
 
 pardon , but master has been gone out for a long while » 
 The merchant damned him for a stupid fellow, and , on his 
 return home, found himself Xi. go minus , by the transport 
 of his wine. 
 
 Enraged at having been thus duped , he sent a note to 
 Mr. Sheridan, informing hi ;n , that if he were not paid the 
 amount of his bill, (this pipe of wine included, ) imme- 
 diately , hewou'd have him taken up for swindling. Mr. 
 Sheridan's promises and intreaties were alike ineffectual, 
 and had not his friends paid the money, he would have 
 been left in a most awkward situation. 
 
 G 
 
74 M% S H E II I D A N. 
 
 After a retirement of twenty years from tlie 
 stage j Mr. Slieridan came forward , at the end of 
 the season in 1793? in the humble situation of 
 the editor of Kotzebue, the celebrated German 
 dramatist, and appears, in that instance , to have 
 been more actuated by his interest as a manager , 
 than by the generous feelings of a writer, emulous 
 of lasting fame. To gratify the public taste for 
 scenes of exquisite sensibility , supported by 
 incidents, sometimes impossible , and, in almost 
 every case, improbable; and, to strengthen the 
 exhibition by the attractions of striking machi- 
 nery, scenic grandeur, and appropriate music, 
 was evidently the object which he had in view in 
 that strange degradation of superior talents. The 
 pressing wants of the theatre, and of those depen- 
 dent upon its success , called for instantaneous 
 relief, and the most likely mode of procuring it 
 was-an unqualified compliance with popular ab- 
 surdity. 
 
 cc For we who live to please, must please to live ». 
 
 is the only apology he can make for the prostitution 
 of his muse. 
 
 It should seem, that Mr. Sheridan had altoge- 
 ther forgotten his having written the Critic ; for 
 there are very few scenes or passages in Pizarro } 
 which can escape the just satire and humorous 
 ridicule contained in that production. He has, 
 
M T 
 
 SHERIDAN. 75 
 
 indeed , condescended , in Lis alteration of the 
 Death of Rolla, to revive the character of the 
 ingenious Mr. Puff; for the most prejudiced mind 
 must feel how very pointedly Mr. Sheridan's 
 observations in the Critic apply to llie favourite 
 tragedy of Pizarro : — « Now then for my 
 magnificence ! my bailie ! my noise ! and my 
 procession ! — Smaller things must give way to a 
 s' riking scene at the opening; that's the rnle. 
 — A play is not to shew occurrences that happen 
 every day , but things just so strange , that though 
 they never did, they might , happen. » But the 
 criticisms of Mr. Sheridan were no longer remem- 
 bered; sound and show triumphed over common 
 
 use: the numerous admirers of sensibility , tor- 
 tured to excess, were gratified; the votaries of 
 pompous exhibition and romance were indulged 
 in their favourite passion; and Pizarro, with all 
 its defects , recommended by the joint reputation 
 of Kotzebue and Sheridan , attracted more nume- 
 rous and fashionable audiences than have ever 
 attended an English theatre. 
 
 The speech of Rolla, exhorting the Peruvians 
 to defend their king and country , their civil and 
 religious institutions , against a ferocious band of 
 lawless invaders , was highly instrumental to the 
 success of I lie piece; and it is the only passage of 
 the play to which Mr. Sheridan has an exclusive 
 claim. The appeal to the people in support of their 
 rights and national independence is bold and ani- 
 
76 M r . SHE HI D A N. 
 
 mating. The striking image of the vulture and 
 the lamb, is, however, used with more effect in 
 his speech on the impeachment of Mr. Hastings ; 
 but his right to borrow from himself cannot be 
 questioned. 
 
 Mr. Sheridan must be convinced, that, with 
 the exception of Rolla's patriotic harangue , 
 Pizarro is more indebted for its popularity to the 
 merits of the original, to the actor, the machinist, 
 the painter , and the composer , than to any alte- 
 rations he has made, or to any judgment he has 
 evinced in adapting it to the English stage. It is to 
 be lamented, that he has, by this motley exhibition, 
 degraded his reputation as the first dramatic writer 
 of the country, and sunk himself to a level with 
 the play-wrights of the day, to whom profit is 
 every thing, and fame nothing. It remains for 
 him to shake off that indolence , which appears to 
 have become constitutional, and make a satisfac- 
 tory atonement , by some work of genius, for his 
 mercenary conduct in confirming the vitiated state 
 of public taste, against which he contended in 
 1770 , with so much energy and success. 
 
M r . SHERIDAN. 77 
 
 ANOTHER CHARACTER of M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 Ik expatiating the vast field of humanity, we 
 must again lament how seldom is to be found a 
 coalition of extraordinary genius and talenls, 
 with superior moral excellence. 
 
 When we attempted a sketch of Col. Fitz- 
 patriek, we had not at the moment this gentle- 
 man within our recollection, to whom the palm 
 of genius undoubtedly belongs. 
 
 "Whether considered as a statesman, or an 
 oral or, an author, or a manager, he equally 
 commands our admiration. 
 
 A man so various , that lie seems to be , 
 Not one, but all mankind's epitome (1 ). 
 
 — In one revolving moon , 
 
 A statesman , poet, fidler, and buffoon ; 
 
 TJbo' wondering" senates , hung on all he spoke, 
 
 The club still hails him master of the joke (?.) 
 
 Although elected into parliament, under every 
 disadvantage of character and of prejudice 
 against him, wholly destitute of connections, he 
 surmounted every difficulty, and by dint of abi- 
 lities alone, extorted the attention and wonder 
 all who heard him : his close sagacious pene- 
 tration enabled him very soon to acquire acknow- 
 ledge of parliamentary usages ; and every sub- 
 ject of political discussion, seems equally fami- 
 
 (i) Dryden. (2) Pope. 
 
J 
 
 8 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 liar to him. Even on matters , where, from edu- 
 cation and habit, one should suppose him the 
 most ignorant, he displays a superiority, and 
 the Chancellor of the Exchequer never opens a 
 budget, without smarting under the rod of that 
 piercing satire, and perspicuity of language, 
 which never fails to expose his financial errors, 
 and false statements, in the most glaring point 
 of view. 
 
 If considered as an orator, we have only to re- 
 collect his oration against the great Oriental De- 
 linquent, which, notwithstanding its excessive 
 length, never suffered the attention of his audi- 
 tors to flag, and which roused and animated le- 
 thargy itself (1). If Cicero excited the indignation 
 of the Roman people, by dint of his eloquence, 
 against the infamous Verres , Mr. Sheridan 
 was no less successful in his harangue on that 
 occasion , which distanced all competition (2). 
 
 As an author , without dwelling on the beauty 
 or ingenuity of his minor productions , we shall 
 only remark, that his Monody on the death of 
 Garrick, is equal to any thing of the kind, and 
 
 (i) See Hastings's Trial. Part Second. 
 
 {2) From our observation, during the last Sessions of par- 
 liament , Mr. Sheridan appears no longer inspired wilh 
 the same ardour and enthusiasm ; and calumnious reports 
 are in circulation , which we hope the aecjuel of his con- 
 duct will refute. 
 
M T , 8 H E II I 1) A X. 79 
 
 liis plays arc unquestionably the chcf-d'eeuvrcs of 
 modern dramatic productions. 
 
 In liis professional capacity, as managing the 
 internal oeconomy of the theatre , his good sense 
 and liberal policy, serve admirably to counteract 
 the contracted system 3 and niggardly parsimony 
 of] is mother- in-law; and the success hitherto 
 experienced , justifies the most sanguine opinion 
 of liis theatrical speculations. Indeed, it is unna- 
 tural \o suppose, that a person of such intellectual 
 endowments, should not prosper in every enter* 
 prise, in the behalf of which, he finds it his interest 
 to apply his labour and abilities. 
 
 Notwithstanding the number of engagements 
 b occupy this gentleman, still he is far from 
 bring wholly devoted to business. In the career 
 of pleasure, he proceeds at least passibus acquis. 
 In the pursuit of voluptuous enjoyments, although 
 his face and person are much bloated and disfi- 
 gured by his nocturnal orgies, and frequent bac- 
 chanalian sacrifices , his address and ingenuity 
 surmount every physical disadvantage; and his 
 amours are not of that sordid , low description, 
 which most of his friends are so eager to culti- 
 vate. 
 
 Received in all the highest circles-of the fa- 
 shionable world , he finds it not difficult to turn 
 his accomplishments to the best advantage. It is 
 ! , where lust and debauchery are as predo- 
 minant as in the brothels of Drury or Whitccha- 
 
$0 M r . SHERIDAN. 
 
 pel : tlie sole difference consisting in the artificial 
 refinement and hypocrisy that conceal them. 
 
 We have surveyed the fair side of Mr. Sheridan's 
 character , and; oh ! si fit omnia : bnt justice and 
 truth demand our obedience ; we must therefore 
 present the contrast. 
 
 In domestic life , this gentleman is not so happy. 
 Mutual jealousy and family bickerings poison 
 the source of that connection., which might other- 
 wise yield all possible felicity. Where there are 
 such talents, and accomplishments on both sides, 
 unless counterbalanced by some singular spirit of 
 contradiction, the connubial state must necessarily 
 ensure happiness ; but few persons know the 
 foundation on which their true happiness rests; 
 hence, they neglect their most solid interests. 
 
 In his dealings with the world, lie is negligent 
 and unprincipled ; without regard for the suffer- 
 ings of others ; inattentive to ^punctuality , and 
 heedless of the vexation and disappointment that 
 he occasions to those who have the jus test and 
 most indispensible claims upon him, he sacrifices 
 every duty, rather than submit to the least tem- 
 porary inconvenience. A bad paymaster , many 
 a miserable tradesman imprecates curses on his 
 head ; and what aggravates the crime beyond 
 measure, is, that Ave have reason to believe his 
 circumstances infinitely more affluent than he 
 labours to represent tliem. No principle of ho- 
 nour or conscience restrains him, when it appears 
 
M r . SHERIDAN. 8l 
 
 Contrary to what lie deems Lis advantage; and. 
 lie present unhappy situation of his copartner 
 
 Dr. F cl is imputed to him. In a moral sense, 
 
 we are under the necessity of strongly reprobating 
 this genllcman; hut he stands on a very critical 
 and exalted eminence, and the public have expec- 
 tations from his political rectitude. We would 
 not therefore irritate him, by probing his failings 
 too sorely, and he may make ample atonement 
 for them all, by exerting his various and com- 
 manding talents, to effect such a reform in the 
 government of this country, as can alone establish 
 its permanent happiness and glory. He is said to 
 possess the confidence of a great Prince , and 
 although different habits may preclude any very 
 great intimacy in social life, yet it is to be hoped, 
 that he Will neglect no occasion of instilling those 
 popular principles, which he has himself avowed, 
 into the mind of the person in question. The 
 auspicious day may come, when it will be in his 
 power to reduce a regular and beautiful system 
 into practice. Mr. Sheridan has hitherto evinc- 
 ed no versatility or inconsistency in his political 
 principles. He was one of those who submitted 
 to, but did not approve, the coalition. He has 
 uniformly and zealously asserted the rights of the 
 people ; and as, in point of judgment , knowledge , 
 and experience, he stands unrivalled; so it is to 
 be expected, he will turn them to the best ac- 
 count, by rendering them beneficial to a nation, 
 
 
82 M T , SHERIDAN* 
 
 whence lie derives such signal advantages ; and 
 infamous indeed would it be, were he then to 
 shrink from his duty, and compromise the dearest 
 interests of a nation, to adulate the passions, or 
 feed the prejudices of a Prince. It may be pre- 
 sumed, that Mr. Sheridan will act in a manner 
 more worthy of his exalted genius j that he will 
 be aninmted by nobler and more generous mo- 
 tives; and, whatever his private foibles may be,; 
 that, disdaining the ignoble path of servility, 
 which the venal herd of favourites have hitherto 
 pursued , he will point out a new and striking 
 example , by enforcing the practice of public vir- 
 tue, the memory of which must be an eternal 
 source of ineffable satisfaction and delight to 
 himself, and of real honour and glory to his 
 friend. Hence, he will be adored while living, 
 and his name enrolled on the register of immor- 
 tality, amongst the most distinguished patriots 
 and benefactors of mankind. 
 
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