power. The King told him that confidence was a plant of slow growth in an aged bosom,[1] yet, by perseverance, the success of his measures, and an assiduous cultivation of Lady Yarmouth, he made his ground so good that, if George the Second had lived longer, he would have become sole minister, and have had the sole power.
"Mr. Fox was content all this time to sit in the dark, making money by applying the publick moneys in his hands to various uses, particularly stock-jobbing, and devoting his interest and arts to get as large a balance as possible to be left on his hands on account of the different services, and filling up the rest of his time with writing anonymous letters and making whatever mischief he could venture without attracting punishment. Mr. Pitt had greatness of mind to look down upon this and a great deal more, for the sake of publick union.
"By length of time, but chiefly by the incapacity and imbecility of the House of Stuart, the Jacobites were now breathing their last gasp. Mr. Pitt began to restore them to military confidence in the instance of the Scotch Highlanders; they were eminently qualified, and proved a considerable resource towards carrying on the war by their numbers. Admiral Boscawen used to say that the Scotch were 'good soles' but 'bad upper leather.' Mr. Pitt likewise brought forward the most producible into administration, and about the Court as grooms, &c.; not many, for it is wonderful how those that are long out of employment or business of any kind, fall off in talent and knowledge of mankind.
"It became necessary for me to take some resolution for myself; home detestable; no prospect of a decent allowance to go abroad, neither happiness nor quiet.[2] The war broke out; I determined upon going into the army; luckily, my father, by the advice of Mr. Fox, placed me in the 20th Regiment, where I came under
- ↑ Mr. Pitt used this expression at a later period with considerable effect on his own account. Speech on the Stamp Act, January 14th, 1766, on his reasons for declining to take office with the Rockingham connection.
- ↑ Lord Shelburne left the University in 1757 before taking a degree, having received a commission in the 20th Regiment of Foot. In 1758 he exchanged into the 3rd Regiment of Foot Guards, now the Scots Guards.
