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Kay's Originals Vol. 2

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BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 257 No. CCLVI. THE RIGHT HON. WILLIAM PITT, AND ’ HENRY DUNDAS, AFTERWARDS LORD MELVILLE. TEE Caricature of the “MODERNC AIN’SL AMENTw”a s a bold satire on the Prime Minister, at the time hostilities were commenced by Great Britain against the Republican forces of France. In conjunction with his able coadjutor, HENRYD UNDASP, m is represented as highly alarmed at the ma,pitude of the undertaking he had been so instrumental in promoting. Most readers will be capable of appreciating the effort of Kay’s pencil in this flight of fancy. Of the light, fragile figure of the Minister he has taken felicitous advantage ; while the features and more athletic form of his colleague are strikingly characteristic of the self-possession and calmness for which he was almost proverbial. The friendship that existed betwixt Pitt and Dundas was of a warmer description than what might be supposed to spring from a unison of political sentiments alone. “As early as the year 1787,” says Wraxall Memoirs, “Dundas had obtained a commanding influence which no other individual ever acquired over ’Pitt’s mind. With the other members of the Cabinet, Pitt maintained only a politicaI union : Dundas was his companion, with whom he passed not only his convivial hours, but to whom he confided his cares and embarrassments.” No two individuals, nevertheless, could be more dissimilar in their deportment- the one grave, stiff, and formal ; the other free, open, and even careless; yet Dundas, by a sagacity and clearness of judgment peculiar to himself, became the most influential member of the Cabinet ; and, by his talent in the House, ably defended the measures of Government. The commanding position attained by the Scottish Minister was a circumstance not to be overlooked by the Opposition. They inveighed against what they deemed his political inconsistency, and levelled their sarcasms with surpassing skill and talent; yet their bitter invectives served only to render more conspicuous the solidity of that influence which they wished to destroy, Alluding to his ascendancy over the Premier, the “ Rolliad ” says- “ True to public virtue’s patriot plan, He loves the Minister and not the nzam : Alike the advocate of North and wit, The friend of Shelburne, and the guide of Piit.” VOL 11. 2L
Volume 9 Page 342
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