OLIVER GOLDSMITH.
Born 1728.—Died 1774.—George II.—George III.
Born at Pallas, near Longford, in Ireland. He wrote by turns prose, poetry, and plays. His poems of The Deserted Village and The Traveller, and his tale of the Vicar of Wakefield, are almost equally famous.
DAVID HUME.
Born 1711.—Died 1776.—Anne.—George I.—George II.—George III.
Wrote the History of England and Essays. His writings are sadly tinged with unbelief and bitterness. He was born and died in Edinburgh.
WILLIAM PITT,
Born 1708.—Died 1778.—Anne.—George I.—George II.—George III.
Lord Chatham. This great statesman, the son of Mr. Robert Pitt of Boconnoc, in Cornwall, during a most successful administration, raised the dignity of England to a high standard. His eloquence as a debater was extraordinary, and when he burst forth in indignant invective, scarcely any adversary could stand against him. He was seized with his last illness (apoplexy) in the House of Lords, and died soon afterwards.