This impressive study of the life of William Pitt, Earl of Chatham, was first published in 1913 when it achieved instant recognition as a brilliant appraisal of Pitt's career. It is a book with many outstanding merits to commend it to students of eighteenth century English history. Based on thorough and extensive researches, it traces Pitt's career from his election as a Member of Parliament for Old Sarum in 1735 and gives a well balanced account of his part in home and foriegn politics and colonial affairs during the next 30 years. The book contains many good maps and an excellent index, and a very valuable appendix gives a list of all Pitt's extant speeches, with references to where reports of them may be found. These two substantial volumes are invaluable as a portrait of one of the most outstanding historical figures of the eighteenth century.

Basil Williams

The crowning mercies - annus mirabilis, 1759, the conquest of Canada and India, 1760; causes of Pitt's decline - domestic policy, Ireland, Pitt and the finance of his war; the new reign, 1760-1761; Pitt's peace negotiations - early attempts at peace, 1758-1760, the negotiations of 1761; Pitt's downfall, 1761; Pitt and the peace of Paris, 1762-1763; Pitt unconnected, 1763-1765; Pitt and the taxation of America, 1765-1766; Chatham's ministry, 1766-1768 - the attempt at union, Chatham's failure, Charles Townshend's triumph, the tragic close; the great commoner in the Lords, 1769-1771; autumn days, 1772-1775 - the philosopher in the village, the peacemaker; the last stage, 1775-1778; appendices.