Essays on the Administrations of Great Britain from 1783 to 1830

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1864 Excerpt: ...(The two last are directed against the opposition to Pitt's Administration.) Most of these squibs appeared in a newspaper called The Oracle. This journal is alluded to by Lord Grenville in a letter of June 14, 1803, as showing a disposition to go over to the Government side. 'You will see that the "Oracle" Thilippixes, and probably for the same reasons that produced that effect of old' (Courts and Cabinets, ibid. p. 303). It is remarkable that Mr. Pitt, in a conversation with Lord Malmesbury in February 1804, described himself as having been assailed in prose and verse by Canning, on account of his lukewarmness in opposition (ibid. p. 291). 3 Addington was Pitt's senior by two years; he was born in 1757, and Pitt in 1759. 1804. childhood; and when Mr. Pitt had become Prime Minister, and Mr. Addington had obtained a seat in Parliament, intentions had been formed on several occasions of offering public employment to the latter. At length, upon the transfer of Mr. W. Grenville to the House of Lords, from the chair of the House of Commons, in 1789, the Speakership became vacant, and Addington was proposed and carried by the Government. He therefore owed his first elevation in great measure to the favour of Mr. Pitt:' his unexpected and (we may add) undeserved elevation to the office of Prime Minister he owed to the favour of the King. Pitt encouraged his acceptance of this post, and for a time gave him countenance, support, and advice. Whether Pitt considered him a mere locum tenens, who was bound to withdraw whenever he might think fit to return, it is hard to say; but it could scarcely be expected that even Addington, certain as he was of the King's support, would consent to hold his office on such a tenure. The appointment of Mr. Tierney as Treasur...