e of an
estate. As for the hero himself, a public funeral and a public monument
in St. Paul's was decreed to him, and statues, columns, and other
monuments were voted in most of our principal cities. Nor did the
gratitude of the nation stop at the moment. Recently a noble monument
has been erected to his memory in Trafalgar Square, chiefly by private
contributions. His name will live in the history of England and the
memories of his grateful countrymen down to the latest period of time.
Faults and errors in private life may have stained his character;
but his memory will nevertheless be precious in the sight of admiring
posterity.

MEETING OF PARLIAMENT.

{A.D. 1806}

Parliament met on the 21st of January. The speech was delivered by
commission, and it dwelt upon our great naval successes, and attempted
to alleviate regret for the disasters of our allies on the continent,
with the assurances the Russian emperor had given that he would still
aid us in the strife. It mentioned also that L1,000,000 accruing to
the crown from the droits of admiralty should be applied to the public
service; and concluded with a strong recommendation of vigilance and
exertion against the common enemy. Amendments were read in both houses;
but they were not moved in consequence of the intelligence that Pitt was
at the point of death.

DEATH OF MR. PITT.

When parliament reassembled, Pitt, who at the close of last session was
obliged to relinquish all exertions and retire to Bath, was lying in
a state of debility and exhaustion at Putney, whither he had recently
returned. Two days after the meeting of parliament, on the 23rd of
January, he expired, in the forty-seventh year of his age; a young
man in years, but aged in constitution from incessant toil and
mental anxiety. On the motion of Mr. Henry Lascelles he was buried
in Westminster Abbey, at the public expense, and a monument, with a
suitable inscription, was erected to his memory. As he had died in debt,
a sum not exceeding L40,000 was voted for the payment of his creditors,
without any opposition. "Never had a minister that ruled the country for
twenty long years, or for half or fourth of that time, done so little
to enrich himself and family--never had statesman and dispenser of
patronage and places been more indifferent to his private interests."
These sentences speak volumes as to the character of this eminent
statesman. In politics he may often have erred; but not ev