Few events in the annals of the House of Commons are more remarkable than the sudden rise of Pitt.  His maiden speech—­in support of Burke’s Bill for economical reform—­placed him at once in the first rank of parliamentary orators.  “I was able to execute in some measure what I intended,” was Pitt’s own modest account of this speech in a letter to his mother.  The opinion of the House of Commons and the town was wholly different:  his speech was regarded as masterly—­astonishing in one so young and new to Parliament.  Selwyn had not heard it, but in the following letter he tells Carlisle of the general impression it had made; and on June 13th he gives his own critical opinion of Pitt’s third speech.  The detailed description by Storer, who supplemented Selwyn’s letters of the debate of February 26th, adds to our knowledge of this memorable debate.

(1781,) Feb. 27, Tuesday.—­I have received no comfort or pleasure for some days, but what I had last night by a letter from Mrs. Sowerby to Lady Gower, and which Lady Gower was so good as to send to me.

I find by that that the children at Trentham are well, and that Charlotte is so altered for the better as to be reconnoissable.  But of you and of Caroline, Lady C., Louise, I know nothing.  The weather has been so wet that I have not proposed to Storer his visit to George, of which I shall profit.  For my own pleasure, I long to see him.

We were in the House of Commons last night till half [an] hour past twelve.  The majority of our side against the second reading of Burke’s Bill,(153) and in fact, by a following question of rejecting it, was of 43, if I mistook not.  I was not in the House to hear anybody speak a syllable, nor do I ever wish it.  I believe there is no actor upon the stage of either theatre who, repeating what the author has wrote, does not, at the same time, recite his own private sentiments oftener, than our pantomimes in Parliament.

The chief subject of C. Fox’s harangue yesterday was an eloge upon economy, and Jack Townshend,(154) who spoke for the second time, rehearsed these maxims of his preceptor.  Jack did better than the time before, but was so eclipsed by Mr. W. Pitt, that it appeared to impartial people but an indifferent performance.  This young man, Mr. Pitt, gained an universal applause.(155) I heard Lord N(orth) say it was the best first speech of a young man that he had ever heard.  It was a very crowded House, but there were there neither Mr. Dunning, Mr. Barry, or General Burgoyne.  This was matter of speculation.

The P(rince) of W(ales) is said to have a kind of carbuncle.  Mr. Delme told me that Lady B(etty) had heard from her mother, and that she talked of being here in April.  Indeed I see no feasibility in any other scheme, although many would to her passions appear more eligible.