French and Italian literature, and to become very early a man of the world, cannot be disputed. But, on the other hand, it led to desultory habits of study, and, what was much worse, to a fondness for the pleasures of unbridled youth, which in his after life marred the effect of his brilliant talents, and prevented his acquiring the entire confidence of the moral and sober part of the nation. It must have been in 1767 that his mother paid a visit to Lady Chatham, of which she gave the following account to her husband: "I have been, this morning, with Lady Hester Pitt, and there is little William Pitt, now eight years old, and really the cleverest child I ever saw, and brought up so strictly and so proper in his behaviour, that, mark my words, that little boy will be a thorn in Charles's side as long as he lives." A very singular prediction, showing not only the early cleverness of the two boys, but the cherished ambition of their parents, the wise strictness of Lord and Lady Chatham, and the sagacity of Lady Holland. Charles left Oxford in the spring of 1766, and in the autumn of that year went abroad with Lord and Lady Holland. He was absent from England, with short intervals, from September, 1766, to the autumn of 1768. In the course of this time he spent a winter with his father at Naples: he was for some time at Florence; he saw Voltaire at Ferney, and became thoroughly initiated into the gay society of Paris. His life during this period was thoughtless, idle, and licentious; his letters treat of private theatricals, of low amours, and of the distinctions and promotions of his friends. To serious politics he seems hardly to have given. a thought. Yet, in the midst of this indulgence and dissipation he pass did not neglect the study of poetry, which, as it was one of the earliest, was likewise one of the most enduring of his pursuits. In a letter to Sir George Macartney, dated Florence, 6th of August, 1767, he says: "At present I read nothing but Italian, which I am immoderately fond of, particularly of the poetry. You, who understand Italian so well yourself, will not at all wonder at this. As to French, I am far from being so thorough a master of it as I could wish, but I have so much of it that I could perfect myself in it at any time with very little trouble, especially if I three or four months in France. I want such an example as yours to make me conquer my natural idleof which Lady Holland will tell you wonders. Indeed, I am afraid it will in the end get the better of what little ambition I have, and that I shall never be anything but a lounging fellow."* Six weeks afterwards, in a letter, dated Florence, September the 22nd, 1767, he writes to Richard Fitz Patrick: "For God's sake learn Italian as fast as you can, if it be only to read Ariosto. There is more good poetry in Italian than in all other languages that I understand put together in prose, too, it is a very fine language."+ ness, Stephen Fox, the eldest brother of Charles, married, in 1772, Lady Mary Fitz Patrick, the sister of the Earl of Upper Ossory and of Richard Fitz Patrick. Richard Fitz Patrick remained through life the most intimate private and political friend of Mr. Fox. His wit was exquisite, his judgment excellent, his manners courteous, his taste refined. There was no man whose opinion was so highly valued by Mr. Fox. He seldom spoke in Parliament, and wrote but little. His epigrams, his verses "Correspondence," vol. i. p. 42. + Ibid. p. 44. in the "Rolliad," and pieces of light poetry, are well known, and generally admired. Charles Fox was returned for Midhurst in May, 1769, when he was only nineteen years and four months old. He took his seat in the following November. He, therefore, sat in Parliament when he was under twenty years old. Before we enter on his Parliamentary career, it may be well to give a sketch of the drama upon which he appeared as an actor. CHAPTER II. STATE OF PARTIES IN GREAT BRITAIN-FAMILY OF GEORGE II.- THE reign of the first Prince of the House of Hanover was not marked by any of those dissensions between the Sovereign and his subjects which had so violently disturbed the rule of the Stuarts. Born and bred in Germany, a stranger to our laws and our manners, he had accepted as his Ministers the chiefs of the Whig party, and for the last seven years of his reign submitted himself quietly to the guidance of Sir Robert Walpole. That eminent statesman obtained an equal ascendency over his son and suc cessor. When Queen Caroline died, she recommended her helpless husband to the experienced statesman; a fact of which, with singular humility and good humour, the King frequently reminded his faithful and able Minister. When Sir Robert Walpole was forced by cabal and clamour to quit the helm, the King attempted to indulge his Hanoverian partialities, and to bring the resources of Great Britain in aid of his German politics. Lord Granville, a man of classical knowledge and ready wit, became the organ of the Court policy; but the nation distrusted the King, was jealous of Continental connexion, and overthrew the aspiring favourite. The rule of the Pelhams was easy, constitutional, and pacific; but when Henry Pelham died, and the Seven Years' War was approaching, a strong administration was required. The Duke of Newcastle, by a skilful management of boroughs and a large command of patronage, had secured a majority of votes in the House of Commons. But Henry Fox, whom he made Secretary of State, had none of the genius which befitted the conductor of a great war. On the other hand, the Duke of Devonshire, who attempted, with Mr. Pitt, to form a Government, was thwarted by the secret opposition of the Duke of Newcastle and forced to retire from office. At length a coalition was formed between the Duke of Newcastle, the dispenser of patronage, and William Pitt, the orator and the states man. From this time the House of Commons was submissive and the nation satisfied. The King, who had at first been shocked at the notion of having a Secretary of State who had not read Wicquefort, became reconciled to the arrangement. The Duke of Newcastle was content to enjoy his office, distribute his patronage, pocket his perquisites, and marshal his majority. "The Duke of Newcastle lent me his majority to carry on the government," was the phrase which, in speaking of this time, Mr. Pitt afterwards used. Thus relieved from all trouble in the House of Commons, he sent Wolfe to Canada, furnished liberal subsidies to the Great Frederick, and covered his country with glory. This happy state of things was destined not to survive the Prince upon the throne. The greatest anxieties of George II. had arisen in the bosom of his own family. Lord Hervey in his "Memoirs" has lifted the curtain which concealed, in part at least, the painful animosities between |