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