Cold, aloof, and sarcastic, supporting a reputation for an almost tiresome integrity, Pitt was not popular except, at a distance, with the people, who saw him as an inspired leader, or with his few inti mates, who found him secretly gentle and affectionate. In perspec tive he has become a man of no little mystery and of unexpected inconsistencies. There seems no good enough reason adequately to explain his changed attitude towards Reform; his treatment of the Reform agitators; his cold indifference to social suffering in England; his support of the Addington ministry in spite of his patent disapproval of its conduct ; the lack of a firmer policy during the Fitzwilliam fiasco in Ireland. He remains a statesman: indisputably supreme in debate and tactics and tireless in organ ization. Because of the failure of the allied cause in the war, it was once popular to assume that Pitt neglected the army and navy, depending solely upon his efforts as an international finan cier. The assumption is entirely unfair. British naval prestige was at a low ebb at the end of the American war, and it was largely owing to Pitt's interest and to his generous allocations of money that the administration was reformed, and the mastery of the sea re-captured. When Pitt entered office English credit was debased : restoration was effected by his regenerated understanding of finance. In 1783 England was practically outside the concert of Europe, yet in a few years she had become the director of an almost united European policy. A true perception of the future of the Empire was not to come before the 19th century. Yet Pitt's
colonial interests were remarkably wide—covering not only the great administrative acts for India and Canada but also the colon ization of Australia; the fortification of the West Indies; the de fence of Nootka Sound. African settlements were considered, and the territories annexed during the war selected with remarkable discretion.
Actually and theoretically Pitt bridged the distance between the 18th and 19th centuries. He was the source of the emancipation of trade and finance from antiquated restrictions. He was the origin of modern financial theory. Yet, though he warmly sup ported the abolition of the slave trade, he did nothing to improve the condition of the worker, nothing to promote social emancipa tion at home. That is perhaps the measure of his position in his tory. He is revered but not loved.
Pitt was never married. He once professed a tender inclina tion towards the daughter of Lord Auckland; but the embarrass ment of his debts prevented him from a formal declaration of his feelings. His real passion was for his work; and to that he gave his life.