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458 RISE OF THE CONTINENTALsecurity of the capital, that the consequences of its captureor even of its being exposed to any imminent danger ofcapture, are incalculable and who will; venture to assertthat in such a case its security would have remained unendangered,or that even a conquest, though perhaps onlymomentary, could have been averted, especially as to thispoint all the powers of the foe would have been undoubtedly directed.The relations of England with the continent at theperiod of which we speak, were determined by a man, whoin the double capacity of first lord of the treasury andchancellor of the exchequer, directed the helm of the stateas premier, and who enjoyed the full confidence of hissovereign William Pitt. 1 When scarcely arrived at manhood when only twenty-four years of age he was raisedto this exalted post, and had already held"it six years whenthe French revolution broke out, which soon placed evenEngland in a position that would not allow her to be amere spectator. At this early period of his life this extraordinary man displayed not only wonderful talents andintelligence,but what was of much greater consequence, amaturity of understanding and judgment which seemed farbeyond his years ;and these qualifications were combinedwith an energy of character equally remarkable. Severalof his contemporaries, his opponents and rivals, might possess more brilliant talents, but none could vie with him inclearness of intellect, in decision of purpose, and devotion tohis country. He was a perfect statesman, in the noblestsense of the word ;and what Plutarch says of Pericles, thatoo^??? 1 Pi fci E J n he yo^S 6* son of the Earl of Chatham, was born on the? Ma 5: 7' 1759 He was - indebted for his early education to his father,and the subsequently appointed bishop of Winchester ;and for his furthertuition, especially m classical literature, philosophy, and eloquence, to EtonSchool and Cambridge. He entered the Lower House as early as his 22ndyear, on the 23rd of Jan, 1781, as member for Appleby and delivered his;first speech on the 26th of February, on the better regulations of the civillist, by which he immediately excited general attention. He entered theministry for the first tune as early as July, 1782, under the Earl of Shelburne,TA T9 C Q exc le-l i]