CHAPTER X.
Mr. Pitt’s tutor was so intimately connected with every thing relating to his illustrious friend, that we cannot any where more properly introduce what appears in our manuscript about him. This eminent person’s mind is of far too high a stamp to experience any thing like mortification or chagrin at the mention of his origin, and the rank of his forefathers. It has, indeed, been said, that some remoter branch of the family had been of the rank of baronet. Be this as it may, when our friend first went to the university, he spent a part of the day where he remembered seeing the name, connected with some lucrative mercantile concern. This he afterwards found was the father, who, on his son’s elevation, retired from business to a very respectable and comfortable residence in the place where he had lived so long and so reputably; and died not long since, full of years and peace. On our friend’s arrival at Cambridge Dr. P. was soon pointed out to him, and he was at first very unfavourably impressed with his forbidding appearance. His countenance was, to his apprehension, strongly marked with harshness and austerity. This idea weighed so deeply upon his mind that afterwards, when in the Senate House under examination for his degree, Professor ⸺ thought he was not likely to have justice done him, and desired Dr. ⸺ to see what he could do, he was so much under the influence of prejudice against him that he declined it, to his most obvious disadvantage.
He felt himself, however, bound in duty and gratitude, to acknowledge that never were first impressions more fallacious.—He was afterwards admitted to the Bishop on terms of familiarity, indeed we may say friendship, and a more amiable, courteous, excellent man never lived. But to expatiate on these qualities here, would be wandering from the course. Fortunately for Dr. ⸺, Pembroke was the college selected for Mr. Pitt’s place of education.—The society could then boast of no other person equally qualified to superintend the studies of a youth, so circumstanced, and so endowed. It was perfectly natural, that a great intimacy should be progressively formed and cemented between the instructor and the pupil, and it is alike honourable to both, that this attachment continued without interruption, to the very last moment of Mr. Pitt’s too abbreviated life.
Among his other qualities and accomplishments Dr. ⸺ had one, by the exercise of which he had attained the highest distinctions in the power of the university to bestow; and which could not fail of being peculiarly useful and important to Mr. Pitt in his situation of Chancellor of the Exchequer. This was a remarkable acuteness and knowledge with respect to every thing connected with numerical computations.—This talent was of course exercised to good account.—Mr. Pitt was not at all backward in acknowledging the merits of his early instructor, and the claims of his friend. If we mistake not, his first preferment was a Prebend in Westminster; this was not held long, before in quick succession it was followed by a Canon Residentiaryship, a Deanery, and a Bishopric.
In all these situations Dr. ⸺ proved himself no indolent consumer of the emoluments of his high offices: a more vigilant, active, useful Prelate never adorned the bench. The able works which he has produced in succession, are to be classed among the most valuable publications of modern times. Not alone useful to students in theology, to the rights of the church, and the general interests of literature, they form standard books of reference and authority for all writers on theological subjects, now and hereafter. Perhaps the Refutation of Calvinism is that which displays most effectually the Bishop’s powers of argument, extensive reading, and controversial skill. This work has been repeatedly attacked, but never will be answered. They who shall have the charge of pupils intended for the Ecclesiastical profession, never can be said to have discharged their duty, unless they enforce the most familiar acquaintance with, and the repeated contemplation of the Elements of Theology. But we can only touch on these subjects, for having much to say of many, it appears necessary to curtail our friend’s memorandums, and be satisfied with giving their substance, even when speaking of those who, like the Bishop of ⸺, would justify long and circumstantial detail.
It has been understood that Mr. Pitt took much and anxious pains to elevate his tutor and friend to the see of Canterbury, and that he would have succeeded, but that the King considered himself as pledged to Bishop ⸺. Nobody entertains the smallest doubt that the Archbishopric of York was intended for him, if Lord Grenville had continued in office. It is equally notorious that at the decease of Bishop Randolph, the Bishopric of London was pressed upon him, which, however, for various reasons, important to himself and his family, he declined. There is one more fact to mention concerning this distinguished prelate, and we must have done.
A whimsical old gentleman of Lincolnshire, whose name was T⸺, conceived a great partiality for the Bishop, and principally from his punctual and conscientious discharge of the Episcopal duty. After a few interviews this attachment increased, and he openly avowed his determination to make Dr. P⸺ his sole heir and residuary legatee. But the matter was supposed to be suspended but on a slight thread, for Mr. T⸺ had done the same by others, and made similar promises again and again. Indeed, if our friend was rightly informed, the circumstance of his tea not being made one evening in a manner perfectly agreeable to the old gentleman’s palate, was very near overturning the baseless fabric. He went home exceedingly chagrined and out of humour; but on the suggestion that it was another’s fault; and that the Bishop could not possibly help it, he recovered his temper and suffered things to remain as they were. He died, and the property to a very great amount came into the Bishop’s possession: the whole could not be estimated at so little as two thousand a-year. One pleasing circumstance attended it: on felicitating the Bishop on an event so highly flattering in itself, and beneficial to his family, his lordship assured our friend, as appears from the manuscript, that there were no poor relations who could justly complain of being injured. This estate, with its appurtenances, has since been settled on the Bishop’s eldest son.
The bishop had a brother, of Pembroke college also, who was nearly our friend’s contemporary. He had the reputation of talents which had the same bias as those of the Bishop, but he was of infirm health; and at the usual time of examination for degree, he was not able to encounter the fatigues and anxieties of the Senate House, and was accordingly put to his probation, privately in his room. It must have been a vexatious circumstance, for he had so distinguished himself in the schools, that it was generally imagined he would have been the senior wrangler of his year. This honour was, however, well bestowed on a Mr. Oldishaw, a gentleman of Emanuel college, who was afterwards domestic chaplain to Bishop Sutton, and now, if we mistake not, resides on preferment in Norfolk, given him by his patron, where also he has the rank of Archdeacon.
Mr. ⸺, as might naturally be expected, was a participator of his brother’s good fortune. He obtained the chancellorship of L⸺, and a prebend in the cathedral of N⸺. He was to have been Canon Residentiary of St. Paul’s, but this, if our information be correct, was objected to by the king himself, who learning that it might by possibility happen, that the Dean with his brother might form a majority in the chapter, for this, and for this reason only, refused his consent.
Bene ubi quod dicimus consilium, accidisse, hominem cautum eum
Esse declaramus, stultum autem illum quoi vortit male.