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About Hesperian student / (Lincoln [Neb.]) 1872-1885 | View Entire Issue (Dec. 1, 1877)
J No. 10. Wiiji.rAM Pitt. 242 I so much pleasure and profit in reading tlio life of any noted man, if wo can follow him through all the dillcrcut peri ods of his life. Foi instance, Salmon J', ('base. We know what his early boyhood days were, how ho spent his tune at school, his college life, his apply for a clerkship from his uncle, only to receive fifty cents to buy a shovel with, his early struggles in life teaching school, his ehcer I ulnoss amid all his hardships his turning an honest penny tending the ferry across the Ohio river. All are indices of the man who was one day to occupy an im. portant place in our country's history. Of Pitt's early life very little is known. He went to Eton to school. I low he spent his time, whether he took an active part in the mauly games for which Kng lish hoys are so much noted, whether he cared anything for boat-racing or hunting, can not say. When about scvenl""u he was .sent to Oxford where he manifested considerable talent, but was most remarkable for his elocution. lie was com pulled to leave college on account of the gout, which had been a sore afliction to him all his life. lie traveled in France in hopes of becoming cured of his diaeases, but was called homo at the death of bis father, and took a commission in the army. Ucforo he was twenty one years old, he entered Parliament. He was without friends or fortune, and was but little known outide the family circle, ilis personal appearance was dignified 'ind graceful. Sir Robert Walpole had been at the. head of the nllair of State for some lourteen years. A mini of much political strength, of great wealth, and experienced in the affairs of State. Pitt spoke with no little force and eloquence against the measure of the government, but Walpole could not brook such language troin one so young, and taunted him of his youth, "his lofty periods," " his theatrical emotions," " his want of experience," etc. This tirade drew trom Pitt a defence seldom sur passed for vigor or eloquence. Nearly every one has seen the extract commenc ing, " The atrocious crime of being a young man," so no farther citation is needful. Jfe had a most wonderful com mand of language, and would roll out long stately periods without any effort or exertion. He had the gift of sarcasm in a marked degree. It is said of him that no other English statesman was feared as much as he, and that be was able by ft single word to make a mortal cneni. lint the most remarkable thing about him was his eloquence. One author says it was " awful." Another says it " some times resembled the thunder, sometimes the music of spheres." Again, Macau lay says, "His voice, even when it sunk to a whisper, was heard to the remotest benches, and when he strained it to its full extent, the sound ros like the swell of an organ in a great cathedral, and shook the house with its peal." 1 1 is actions and facial expressions were equal to those of OSarrack, the great tragedian. From the public life of any great man one cannot foim a very positive opinion of his character. Their public acts may be guided by motives ol selfishness or policy. Pitt stands so far above und so far removed from man in general that ordinary means of judging his character fail us. His high sense of honor and j)i obity might have been assumed for po. litical reasons, but from his letters to his son William, who afterwards became the second celebrated William Pill, we get such a glimpse of his character as can be obtained from no other source. We theie learn that his character was as lovely as his mind was accomplished. He was most amiable in his private relations, and all his domestic relations were happy. We find so rarely men of much power, in whom the passions aie strong and the in tellect great, combining the finer feelings and more delicate sensibilities. One cannot lead his letters without being surprised at their simplicity. Do we wonder that his son, from such counsels in politeness, manners and morals should be
