Feb. 20, mittee on the state of the nation Motion by Mr. Powys, that the house MR. PITT'S PARLIAMENTARY SPEECHES. February 26, 1781. THE House having proceeded to the order of the day on the second reading of Mr. Burke's bill for the better regulation of his Majesty's civil list revenue, and for abolishing several useless, expensive, and inconvenient places, and for applying the monies arising there from to the public service, Mr. PITT rose on this occasion for the first time; and, in a speech in answer to matter that had fallen out in the course of the debate, displayed great and astonishing powers of eloquence. With a voice rich and harmonious; an easy and elegant manner; and language beautiful and luxuriant, he exhibited, in this first essay, a specimen of oratory worthy the son of the immortal Chatham.* He said, that he gave the most hearty consent to what had fallen from his honourable friend on the other side of the housethat a proposition for the retrencliment of the civil list revenue ought to have come from his Majesty's ministers. He gave his entire approbation to this sentiment. It would have come with more grace; it would have come with more benefit to the public service, if it had sprung from the royal breast.. His Majesty's ministers ought to have come forward and proposed a reduction in the civil list, to give the people the consolation of knowing * Mr. Pitt entered parliament in his 22d year. He was born the 28th of May, 1759; and took his seat in the House of Commons as representative for the borough of Appleby on the 23d of January, 1781. The Administration at this time consisted of Lord North...... { First Lord of the Treasury and Chancellor of the Exchequer. VOL. I. ཞ |