the death of his father and uncle he had become the only male representative of his family and the master of a goodly inheritance.  He paid from the first close attention to the business of the House, and, though by no means anxious to be heard, showed, that, when called out by any occasion, he was fully competent to meet it.  Representing his native city of Hull, his first public speech was on a topic immediately connected with her interests.

The brilliant career of Mr. Pitt commenced, as the reader knows, in early life.  Passing by the mental exploits of his boyhood, we meet him at his entrance upon the public service.  He had no sooner become a member of the House of Commons than it began to be remarked that in him appeared to be reproduced those same qualities of statesmanship which had marked his illustrious father, Lord Chatham.  Such powers, evinced by one who was but just stepping upon the stage of public life, first excited surprise, which was quickly followed by admiration.  That strength of thought and keenness of analysis, which, seizing upon a subject, bring out at once its real elements of importance, and present them in their practical bearings, deducing the course dictated by a wise policy, had hitherto been regarded, by those who found themselves the willing auditors of a youth, as the ripened fruits of experience alone.

England was at this time at war not only with her American colonies, but with France, Spain, and Holland.  Weakened by these prolonged conflicts, her finances drained, her huge debt increasing every day, her condition called loudly for a change of policy.  The cause of American Independence was not without its advocates in the House, and among these Mr. Pitt was soon found, uttering his sentiments without reserve.  Probably no individual of that body exerted a stronger influence than he in securing for this country the full recognition of her rights.  Of the manner in which he was accustomed to treat of the American War, here is a single specimen.  After speaking of it as “conceived in injustice, brought forth and nurtured in folly,” and continually draining the country of its vital resources of men and treasure, he proceeds:—­

“And what had the British nation gained in return?  Nothing but a series of ineffective victories and severe defeats,—­victories celebrated only by a temporary triumph over our brethren, whom we were endeavoring to trample down and destroy,—­which filled the land with mourning for dear and valuable relatives slain in the vain attempt to enforce unconditional submission, or with narratives of the glorious exertions of men struggling under every difficulty and disadvantage in the sacred cause of liberty.  Where was the Englishman, who, on reading the accounts of these sanguinary and well-fought battles, could refrain from lamenting the loss of so much British blood spilled in such a contest, or from weeping, whichever side victory might be declared?”