last continental coalition, contributed only to the gigantic power and prodigious aggrandizement of France. The failure, however, is not to be ascribed to the plan, but to the mistakes in the execution, which it was not in his power either to prevent or to rectify. Subsequent events have afforded proof, that he had made a just estimate of the effects which the union of all the powers of Europe, acting in perfect concert, might be able to produce. But he was not permitted to witness the justness of his calculations, and the fulfilment of his wishes.

Disinterestedness in regard to pecuniary matters, was one of his distinguishing characteristics. In this respect, to his memory might be justly applied the motto, "non sibi sed patriæ vixit." After an administration of two-and-twenty years he was so far from having enriched himself, that he left behind him very considerable debts, which he was unable to liquidate.-Whatever errors his opponents might discover, or fancy they discovered, in his political views, he was certainly a great man. On the public theatre of the world he long acted a very conspicuous part. As a statesman, his name will be celebrated in the annals of Europe, and his conduct will long be the theme of both censure and applause. As an orator, he stands almost unrivalled: he was the Tully of Britain, and the glory of her senate. His country showed its respect for his memory by taking on itself the payment of his debts; and an address to the king was presented by

parliament, praying his Majesty to direct that the remains of the minister should be interred at the public expense, and that a monument should be erected to his memory in Westminster Abbey. :

CHAPTER II.

1806.

THE parliament was opened by commission on the 21st of January 1806. In the speech from the throne, the recent victory of Trafalgar was prominently alluded to, and described as an exploit beyond all precedent." The king deplored the necessity which the emperor of Germany had felt of withdrawing from the contest, but was consoled in the prospect of the unshaken adherence of the emperor of Russia, and expressed his full confidence in the unexhausted resources of his dominions. In the debate which ensued upon this address, lord Grenville remarked, that the state of the country imperiously called for investigation, but that circumstances painful to his feelings induced him to postpone the discussion. In the commons, lord Henry Petty acknowledged his intention of moving an amendment to the address; but as circumstances, which he deeply lamented, prevented the attendance of the individual most interested to defend the mea

sures of government, he should make it the subject of a future motion. The addresses were presented on the 23d, the day of Mr Pitt's decease.

After a short interval Mr Lascelles moved, that the late minister be interred at the public expense, and a monument, with a suitable inscription, erected to the memory of that excellent statesman.. Objections were instantly started to the motion thus worded, and it was opposed by many distinguished members, who avowed their conviction of his integrity and their admiration of his talents. Among these was Mr Windham, who declared, that he could not concur in styling Mr Pitt an excellent statesman, and that the motion did not rest. on the basis of historical truth. Mr Fox said, that no one was more ready to acknowledge the pri vate, and even in many respects the public, virtues of Mr Pitt. His great eloquence and splendid talents cast a veil over the system upon which he acted, and concealed its deformity. And however desirous he might be to bury in oblivion former contests, he could not consent to confer public honours on his memory, upon the ground of his being an excellent statesman.

Lord Castlereagh pronounced this to be a question of feeling rather than of argument; and he urged that the house would act inconsistently with its own opinion, repeatedly expressed, if it hesitated to recognize the merits of Mr Pitt. He at the same time confessed, that had he framed the motion, it would have been couched in much stronger terms. On a division of the house, the

numbers were 258 to 89. The sum of L. 40,000 was subsequently voted for the payment of his debts. This was approved by Mr Fox, who allowed that Mr Pitt was entitled to form a distinguished part of any administration framed on general principles, and with a view to general advantage; and he delicately adverted to the late effort of Mr Pitt, previous to his acceptance of office, as evincing the absence of all feelings of political animosity on his part.

The death of Mr Pitt caused a total change in the ministry. Lord Eldon resigned the seals, and the honourable Thomas Erskine was appointed lord chancellor, and constituted a peer of the realm by the title of Lord Erskine. Lord Grenville, whom the king had sent for, and empowered to form a new administration, including Mr Fox, who had now been estranged from the royal councils more than twenty years, was appointed first lord of the treasury; and lord Henry Petty chancellor of the exchequer. Earl Fitzwilliam president of the council, Viscount Sidmouth lord privy seal. Mr Fox was made secretary of state for foreign affairs; lord Spencer secretary for the home department; and Mr Windham secretary Mr Grey first lord of the admiralty, and Mr Sheridan treasurer of the navy. Earl Moira master-general of the ordnance, and general Fitzpatrick secretary for the colonies. His grace duke of Bedford was appointed lord-lieutenant of Ireland, and Mr Elliott principal secretary. Lord Ellenborough, lord chief-justice of the court

at war.

the

of King's Bench, was also appointed to a seat in the cabinet. Sir Arthur Pigot and sir Samuel Romilly were nominated attorney and solicitorgenerals.

The new ministry were not slow in entering upon the duties of their office. On the 28th of March the chancellor of the exchequer brought forward the budget for the year. The amount of the ways and means was L.43,618,472, and of the supplies L.43,630,000. The war taxes, amounting to L. 14,500,000, were to be increased to L. 19,500,000, and a new loan of L. 18,000,000 was proposed. Mr Windham brought in a bill for inlisting the regular army for a term of years instead of for life, as heretofore. This regulation, which forms an epoch in the military history of England, met with general approbation. The infantry were to be inlisted for seven years, and the cavalry for ten. The plan, however, did not pass without much debate, in the course of which lord Castlereagh affirmed the state of the country to be prosperous and flourishing, and that the present ministers reposed on a bed of roses!

The country, however, had the misfortune to see the number of its enemies increase. The politics of Prussia, which had long been vacillating, now assumed an aspect decidedly hostile to Great Britain. On the 30th of January his Prussian majesty issued a proclamation, in which he signified his intention of taking possession of Hanover, agreeably to a convention entered into with the emperor of France. This was followed by a second