Two speeches later in the session confirmed the distinction of the young orator.  In 1782, after a long series of Opposition attacks, Lord North resigned; but in the new arrangements Pitt was not included.  He had determined that he would serve his sovereign as a cabinet minister, or not at all.  For a time he devoted his efforts, without success, to the reform of the representation of the House of Commons.  But in July 1782 Lord Rockingham died; there was a cabinet split, due to a quarrel between Fox and Shelburne; the latter became First Lord of the Treasury, and Pitt, at the age of twenty-three, was offered and accepted the post of Chancellor of the Exchequer.

The newly-formed ministry was soon exposed to hot attacks by the coalition of the parties of Fox and North, and Pitt, in attacking this “baneful alliance,” made one of the greatest speeches of his career.  But the ministry was defeated; Lord Shelburne resigned; and the king, advised by Shelburne, invited Pitt to become Prime Minister.  After anxious consideration he refused.

The Fox and North coalition now assumed office.  This union of extremes was unpopular in the country, although powerful in parliamentary strength.  Pitt tried once more to pass a measure of parliamentary reform; and during the recess he paid a visit to France—­the one foreign journey of his life.

When parliament resumed its sittings, in the autumn of 1783, Fox’s India Bill was passed by the Commons, but rejected by the Lords.  The king, who was vehemently opposed to the bill, demanded the resignation of Fox and North, and on December 19 invited Pitt, now aged twenty-four, to become Prime Minister.  This time the invitation was not refused.

Pitt had great difficulty in forming a cabinet, and was the only cabinet minister in the Commons.  His main support in that house was Henry Dundas, treasurer of the navy—­his life-long friend.  On facing parliament at the opening of 1784, Pitt’s purpose was to delay a dissolution until the coalition’s unpopularity in the country had reached its height, and with this end he patiently endured defeat after defeat.  In March he deemed that the right moment had come, and his judgement was rewarded at the General Election by a triumphant majority.

Pitt was Chancellor of the Exchequer as well as First Lord of the Treasury, and during the years of peace that followed, his successes were largely financial.  He established a series of financial reforms that not only increased the favour in which his ministry was held, but undoubtedly enabled the country to bear the terrible strain that was afterwards to be placed upon it.  In his attempt to adjust commercial relations with Ireland he was less successful; he was obliged, besides, to abandon his schemes of parliamentary reform, and his exertions, in concert with his friend Wilberforce, to destroy the slave traffic ended in disappointment—­even although in this he had the hearty support of his rival, Fox.