s
language and deportment indicated nothing but unconquerable firmness and
haughty confidence in his own powers. His contest against the House of
Commons lasted from the 17th of December 1783, to the 8th of March 1784.
In sixteen divisions the opposition triumphed. Again and again the King
was requested to dismiss his ministers. But he was determined to go to
Germany rather than yield. Pitt's resolution never wavered. The cry of
the nation in his favour became vehement and almost furious. Addresses
assuring him of public support came up daily from every part of the
kingdom. The freedom of the city of London was presented to him in a
gold box. He went in state to receive this mark of distinction. He was
sumptuously feasted in Grocers' Hall; and the shopkeepers of the Strand
and Fleet Street illuminated their houses in his honour. These things
could not but produce an effect within the walls of Parliament. The
ranks of the majority began to waver; a few passed over to the enemy;
some skulked away; many were for capitulating while it was still
possible to capitulate with the honours of war. Negotiations were opened
with the view of forming an administration on a wide basis; but they had
scarcely been opened when they were closed. The opposition demanded,
as a preliminary article of the treaty, that Pitt should resign the
Treasury; and with this demand Pit steadfastly refused to comply. While
the contest was raging, the Clerkship of the Pells, a sinecure place for
life, worth three thousand a year, and tenable with a seat in the House
of Commons, became vacant. The appointment was with the Chancellor of
the Exchequer: nobody doubted that he would appoint himself; and nobody
could have blamed him if he had done so: for such sinecure offices
had always been defended on the ground that they enabled a few men of
eminent abilities and small incomes to live without any profession, and
to devote themselves to the service of the state. Pitt, in spite of
the remonstrances of his friends, gave the Pells to his father's old
adherent, Colonel Barre, a man distinguished by talent and eloquence,
but poor and afflicted with blindness. By this arrangement a pension
which the Rockingham administration had granted to Barre was saved to
the public. Never was there a happier stroke of policy. About treaties,
wars, expeditions, tariffs, budgets, there will always be room for
dispute. The policy which is applauded by half the nation may be
condem