Henry Craik, ed. English Prose. 1916. Vol. IV. Eighteenth
Century Character of Pitt By Horace Walpole (17171797) From
Memoirs of the Reign of King George II. PITT had roused us from
this ignoble lethargy: he had asserted that our resources were
still prodigioushe found them so in the intrepidity of our
troops and naviesbut he went further, and perhaps too far. He
staked our revenues with as little management as he played with
the lives of the subjects; and as if we could never have another
war to wage, or as if he meant, which was impracticable, that
his administration should decide which alone should exist as a
nation, Britain or France, he lavished the last treasures of
this country with a prodigality beyond example and beyond
excuse; yet even that profusion was not so blameable as his
negligence. Ignorant of the whole circle of finance, and
consequently averse from corresponding with financiers, a plain
set of men who are never to be paid with words instead of
figures, he kept aloof from all details, drew