ted and discussed. On these occasions, a fond parent, so eminent for his talents, and particularly for his eloquence, was accustomed to make the little orator declaim from a chair or a table. He knew that in a free country the gift of speaking with facility on every subject, was one of the most desirable acquisitions for a young man, who panted to excel his contemporaries, and command his equals. He was conscious that this qualification had supplied the deficiencies of fortune in his own person; and as his son, like himself at the same time of life, was but scantily provided for, he wished, if possible, to bequeath it to him as an inheritance. His lordship was aware, perhaps, that his old rival, Lord Holland, had bred up one of his children in the same manner; and as Charles Fox began already to distinguish himself in the oratorical arena of the house of commons, in such a manner as to have no compeer, it perhaps entered into his calculations that one William Pitt should outstrip him, as much as another had excelled his father! At a proper period it was determined to send Mr Pitt to one of the universities; and upon this occasion Cambridge was expressly preferred to Oxford, from a notion long che rished by many Whig families, that the political doctrines inculcated there, were more liberal than those usually engendered at Oxford *.Pembroke Hall having beeu accordingly pitched upon, he was placed under the tution of Joseph Turner, D.D. since Dean of Norwich, and who in 1784 was elected master. We trust and believe that the principles of a limited government, consisting of king, lords, and commons, are now equally enforced at both universities; but at the period to which we allade, Oxford was said to be still notorious for its toryism. Dr Prettyman (now Tomline, Bis shop of Lincoln, Dean of St Paul's, &c.) also participated in the care of his education, the latter being pri vate instructor. While he resided at Cambridge, Mr Pitt's morals and conduct were alike unimpeachable; and if the example of the young nobility is supposed to be sometimes but little beneficial to our youth in general, certain it is that this doctrine found a distin guished exception in his person.Here he took his batchelor's degree and also that of M. A.; and established such a character in the university for industry, talents and propriety of demeanour, that the fame then acquired proved not a little serviceable in his future pursuits in life. On leaving his Alma Mater, Me Pitt was entered at Lincoln's Inn, nearly at the same time with Mr Addington, whose father was the physician and friend of his family; there he soon after hired chambers, and being as usual favoured on account of his degree, was enabled at the end of three years to be called to the bar. When this event took place, he, as is customary with the junior counsel, selected one of the circuits as the scene of his early efforts, and on this occasion he made choice of the western. We believe that the late Mr John Frost of Widemore, afterwards a bencher of the Inner Temple, led in the first cause in which Mr Pitt appeared. We have also learned from good autho rity that one of the first briefs he ever received was in the Cricklade election cause, when Mr. Samuel Petrie, a petitioning candidate, brought 76 seperate actions against the sitting member for bribery and corruption. Mr Pitt had but little practice, and consequently little celebrity, as an advocate; and perhaps was but ill qualified, on the score of patient and laborious investigation, for a pursuit in which nothing great can be atchieved, without the unabating industry of a whole life. J. Dunning (afterwards Lord Ashburton,) and Thomas, now Lord Erskine, the two most suc. cessful men in the annals of legal history, may be adduced as examples of this kind: as for the Lords Thurlow and Rosslyn, it is well known that their rise is to be attributed to their practice in parliament, and not in the courts of justice. But a different fate awaited him, and honours of another kind were at that moment hovering over his head. Fortune seemed eager on this occa sion to pour the cornucopia of her favour into his lap; and showed, by one signal display of bounty, how lavish she could be to the son of a great man, to whom she had dealt out her kindness with a niggard hand. The subject of these anecdotes as already observed, had been bred a statesman, and the house of commons was consequently the goal whence he was to start in his political career. At the request of some of the many friends he had made while at Cambridge, he proposed himself as a canditate for that university, but failed from mere want of influence. A noble M. A. and member of Trinity college, however, accomplished by accident what all the good designs of his friends had been unable to atchieve. The Duke of Rutland haphappening to meet the late Sir James Lowther (who died Earl of Lonsdale,) after detailing the particulars of the late discomfiture, concluded by "ask. ing him, as a favour, if he could possibly make room in any of his bo roughs to bring in his young friend Mr. Pitt, who had thus lost his election for Cambridge." Sir James, on this occasion, acted an honourable part, for, setting aside a northcountry attorney, he brought in the son of the most favourite, able, and upright minister, that England had ever witnessed. It was thus owing to a casual rencounter in St. James's street, that the future premier was returned by the influence of an opulent commoner, for the borough of Appleby*; and it ought to be remarked, to the credit of Sir James, that as he brought in his friends without expence, so he left them at full liberty in respect to their public conduct; and acted with such an extraordinary degree of delicacy, that, with the exception of his immediate dependants, their minds and votes were left alike unfettered. Account of WILLIAM WIGHT, the Poet of Eduam. SIR, THE HE inclosed paper has been transmitted to me from a friend in the country, in order that I might convey it to you. Both the poem and the preface seem not unworthy of a place in your entertaining miscellany. In a former number of the Edinburgh Magazine I recollect seeing a short account of William Wight, which, however, I do not think entirely supersedes the following; for, besides that the enclosed is of a much later date, and contains a faithful account of his present habits and situation, it states some circumstances in his character not mentioned in the paper alluded to.-çis And it may recal to many of your readers who have forgotten the former account of him, an object perhaps the most interesting to a mind that is not destitute of the sensibili tiesof nature ;-a young man, placed in *Mr Pitt, who was never unmindful of political favours, with a princely munificence conferred an earldom on one, and a viceroyalty on another, of the two distinguished persons who thus early contributed to his advancement. - in the most helpless condition; not only unable to procure by his labour the common necessaries of life, but dependant on the aid of others for corporeal support,-incapable of changing bis sitnation without assistance,possessed of a feeble constitution, and doomed to perpetual childhood:-in this situation, perusing, with ardour, the elegant compositions of Hume and Robertson, of Addison and Johnson; and the animated strains of Milton and Thomson, Akenside and Campbell ;-beguiling the tedious hours to which nature has doomed him, by such elegant and rational amusements, and attempting to imitate such bright examples. Such an object cannot fail to please every mind that can relish the artless simplicity of innocence, and to interest every heart that can feel for the sorrows, or admire the virtues, of humanity. was riety, and he seldom enjoys any other change of scenery than from the inside of his cottage to a field adjoining. There, seated on the turf, he spends whole days in studying his favourite authors, in reading such books as he can procure, or enriching his fancy by contemplating the appearances of nature. He possesses the most ardent love for literature, and desire of improvement. By his own exertions, aided with a few lessons from his friends, he has acquired a considerable knowledge of the French language. He sometimes amuses himself by drawing landscapes, and plays admirably upon the Ger man Flute. He is extremely modest; his manner is polite; his conversation is interesting, and improves much upon a greater intimacy. "Owing to his unfortunate situation he is obliged to depend for subsistence upon his two brothers, who, by their labours in husbandry, maintain him and his mother. But it is K. grateful to learn, that a subscription has been opened, in order to obtain a sufficient sum to purchase for him a small annuity, and it will, it is hoped, meet with patronage from all those who wish that genius and merit should never be chilled by penury. As I have enjoyed his friendship and intimacy, I have seen many of his poems; they are distinguished for a chaste and tender simplicity, with delicacy of feeling, and refinement ap "The following ballad * written by William Wight, who has sometimes been called "the young man of Ednam", and is known to the public by being the author of several pleasing little poems, which have peared in some of the newspapers and magazines; and even some account of himself has been given, which, however, I do not think anticipates the following information concerning him : "Though nature, in forming the mind of William, has made him every way amiable and interesting; yet she has left the delineation of his external figure very incomplete. His limbs are so imperfect that he is unable to remove from his place without being carried. This circum stance, in a great measure, deprives him of the enlivening charms of va * See our poetical department. March 1806. of sentiment. The inclosed ballad pleased me much; and I obtained it from him, with liberty to do with it as I chose; I therefore determined to offer it for insertion in your Magazine." We have also received, from another correspondent, the following particulars, with several additional poems : "William Wight, the author of these small poems, is about 20 years of age, and was born without legs or knees, and his thighs very defec tive LOWER ORDERS in the Metropolis. Quid sit pulchrum, quid utile, quid non. SIR,. Tis with no small satisfaction I observe, in your magazine for January last, a proposed new charitable institution in Edinburgh, for the relief of those whose hapless situations in life claim the commiseration and assistance of the benevolent and humane. Few circumstances can redound more to the honour of an enlightened age than institutions of this nature, since nothing can tend more effectually to propagate virtue, and retard the pro tive. His father, who has been dead On the MORAL CHARACTER of the for several years, was a day-labourer, with a numerous family, and little able to give them education. But William taught himself. He reads. accurately, notwithstanding he has an impediment in his speech; writes a legible hand, draws, and plays upon the German Flute, altho' one of his arms he can s.arcely raise to his breast. He has acquired a considerable knowledge of the French language; and his poetical attempts have been wonderfully successful, considering the numerous difficulties he had to overcome. His frame and constitution are weak; but his dispo. sition is chearful and contented; and he is gratefully alive to every attention and favour which he receives.gress of vice, than the means which, By the neighbours around he is supplied with books; and thro' the kindness of friends has gotten a choice little collection of modern poetry, which he highly values. With this treasure around him, he sits on a table in his cottage, nor ever murmurs that he is shut out from numerous sources of happiness which he sees others enjoy." "N. B. The small piece entitled the Sea-Gull arose from a particular circumstance. A considerable morass, called the Berry-moss, had been long frequented by an incredible number of these fowls; the sight of which, in the water, and on the wing, was a source of much amusement to William Wight, who had a view of them when carried to a small distance from his cottage. This place has of late been drained, and the birds have of course forsaken it *." I am, Dear Sir, Your most obedient servant, Robert Gillan. *See our poetical department. by holding out support and encouragement to the deserving, preclude the necessity of resorting to what ultimately deadens moral perception, and destroys the order, harmony, and safety of society. At a period, when wealth, luxury, and dissipation, are making rapid strides towards general corruption of manners; and when dis. soluteness and disorder are rapidly advancing among the lower classes of mankind, every expedient to retard their progress merits the gratitude and applause of the public; but when to these growing evils are added, the neglected condition of a numerous class of beings, who, deprived of the cheering comforts of life, and destitute of the aid of instruction, abandon themselves to habits of worthlessness, merely to supply habits of utility; whatever contributes to rectify and reform, must be considered as highly creditable to the promoters. Among the other expedients for checking the disorderly habits of the lower orders of society, the introduction of our late POLICE BILL in Edinburgh seemed to promise considerable benefit, and certainly few methods could have been devised more likely to effect the purpose than hat salu salutary measure. Of the advantages resulting from it I pretend not to judge, as I am totally unacquainted with the effects; but if I may presume to draw inferences from what has been hitherto adopt d, I must confess my expectations are not san guine. I am however willing to believe that every good intention rests with those who are the chief directors; but without the digestion and adoption of judicious plans, intentions and good will can avail little. The first step towards general improvement, is to remove the causes which impede virtue and propagate worthlessness;-the second, to promote moral order. Without the first, we labour in vain to establish the latter; for while the first continues, it is evident that disorder and worth lessness must go on. Rules and in structions may indeed be stuck up in every district of the city; but will they be complied with? Thousands may be sent to Bridewell, but will this reform? We all know, Sir, that advice and admonition is uniformly thrown away on the abandoned; and surely at this time we need not be told that punishment to the hardened can never be productive of radical and permanent improvement. Has one wayward child been ever improved by the simple admonitions of the parent, or one single convict, sent to Botany-bay reclaimed and rendered habitually virtuous by the Utopian plan to establish a well-regulated colonization from the dregs of degraded mankind by punishment? The frequency and inefficacy of Tyburn tree might have pointed out to our sagacious Rulers, that the attempt was as vain as the expectation was illusive; and, with all due respect to our Superintendants of police, we may venture to assure them, that with all their regulations, fines, and imprisonments, they will never effectuate the great and important object of general reformation among the inthe in habitants of Edinburgh, without adopting measures very different from those hitherto practised. To those who have given themselves the trouble to investigate and ruminate upon the causes of depravity among the lower orders of society, there cannot be a doubt remaining, that idleness, and the want of early instruction, are the chief. Unaccustomed to early habits of industry, and unfamiliarised with any domestic examples of propriety and decorum, the child from its cradle grows up in surrounding infamy, and strength ens in vice. Unprotected by the hand of benevolence, unaided by the admonitions of virtue, uneducated by the precepts of wisdom, and unchecked by the worthlessness of the parent, it is left a prey to all the vicious habits imbibed in a daily intercourse with every thing profligate and degrading. In this state, how is it possible that society can improve, or rather, how is it possible that it should not become worse and worse? To illustrate the truth of this observation, and to bring matters more immediately home to our general argument, let us, for a moment, contemplate the present state of society among the lower classes in this town, and contrast it with what existed about 30 years ago. Can any thing be more different? can any picture be more melancholy! While we see, where'er we turn our eye, the hapless offspring of abandoned parents, running idle, filthy, ragged, and vicious, from morning till night, about our streets and lanes, can we cease to look back to those times when no such degrading spectacles met our view? When we inquire, and find that hundreds of these neglected beings have never been within a school, or ever received the smallest education, (not withstanding charity schools are open for their reception,) can we help looking back to the period when every parent strove to give their children the best educa |
