File:Illustrated biography; or, Memoirs of the great and the good of all nations and all times; comprising sketches of eminent statesmen, philosophers, heroes, artists, reformers, philanthropists, (14759304626).jpg

Identifier: illustratedbiogr00sava (find matches)
Title: Illustrated biography; or, Memoirs of the great and the good of all nations and all times; comprising sketches of eminent statesmen, philosophers, heroes, artists, reformers, philanthropists, mechanics, navigators, authors, poets, divines, soldiers, savans, etc
Year: 1856 (1850s)
Authors: Savage, Charles C., 1820-1907
Subjects: Biography
Publisher: Buffalo, Phinney & Co.
Contributing Library: New York Public Library
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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of the house of commons, in the case of the Middlesex election(when, by the repeated rejection of Mr. Wilkes, after he had been returned bya majority of votes, they attempted to establish the principle that an expulsionfrom the house created a perpetual and indelible disqualification to serve as arepresentative), was earnestly and perseveringly reprobated by Lord Chatham, It was the contest with America which called forth from Lord Chatham themost brilliant efforts of his latter days, and perhaps of his life. He may besaid to have expired in resisting the infatuated measures which, in provokingthis war, led to the dismemberment of the empire. On the 7th of April, 1778,when a motion on this subject was to be discussed, he appeared for the lasttime in the house of lords, leaning on the arm of his son, with his majesticfigure wrapped in flannels, and his face pale as death. After delivering hissentiments with his accustomed fervor, he sat down. On rising again, how-* EARL OF CHATHAM. 263
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264 SAMUEL JOHNSON. ever, a short time afterward, to reply to some observations which had beenmade upon his address, he fell back in the arms of the duke of Cumberlandand Lord Temple, who sat beside him, speechless, and to all appearance insen-sible. Lord Chatham recovered so far as to be removed to his country-houseat Hayes, where he lingered till the 12th of May, when he expired, entirelyexhausted, in the seventieth year of his age. The characteristics of this celebrated minister were vigor, decision, a mindprophetic of consequences, and an eloquence so commanding, that probablynothing quite equal to it has distinguished any other speaker in modern times.Judging rather by the effects which it is recorded to have produced, than byany pretended reports of particular speeches, it must have contained an extraordinary share of the vehemence and power by which Demosthenes, in ancientGreece, wielded at will that fierce democritie. t

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