Page:The New International Encyclopædia 1st ed. v. 16.djvu/93

* PITT. 69 PITTHEUS. of September, 1792, and the execution of Louis XVI. in January, 1793, so outraged I lie feelings of the Knglish people tluit peace could no longer be maintained. In Fel)ruary the French Con- vention declared war against England. While the English were successful on the sea. Pitt op- posed the French on land principally by means of heavy subsidies to his Continental allies, thus inaugurating the sy.stem which was followed throughout the Napoleonic wars. In his per- sistent enmity toward N'apoleon he was opposed throughout by his great rival. Fox. While the financial difliculties caused by the outbreak of the war with France were at their height Irish affairs also became very perplexing. Pitt de- sired to relieve the Catholics of the disabilities under which they were lal)oring, but George III. compelled him to withdraw all such schemes. In 1800-01 a Parliamentary union with Ireland was effected, but it by no means allayed discontent. In order to relieve some of the financial dif- ficulties of the nation. Pitt created a 'sinking fund,' which at considerable cost maintained the credit of the Government. Meanwhile Xapoleon had defeated Austria in Italy, while Russia be- came neutral, so that England was left to strug- gle with France alone. In 1801 Pitt resigned be- cause the King refused to accept his Catholic emancipation measures. He loyally supported the new Ministry of Addington in its attempt to make a permanent peace, which resulted in the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. When Pitt was no longer able conscientiously to aid Addington he withdrew from active participation in affairs. His health was poor and his finances were in dis- order. On May IG. 1803, war was declared by Eng- land against France, and Pitt at once reappeared to aid his country. He criticised the weakness of the Government, and on ilay 10, 1804, again became Prime ilinister. Pitt's vigorous meas- ures resulted in the third great coalition against France, but. though the victory of Trafalgar cheered him, the defeat of Austria and her ally, Russia, at Austerlitz on December 2. 1803. proved his death-blow. Shortly before he died he uttered the prophetic words, so well kno«Ti : "Roll up the map of Europe; it will not be wanted these ten years." He died January 23. 1800, and was buried on February 22d in West- minster Abbey. His work did much to bring about the ultimate downfall of Xapoleon. and in many respects Pitt may be considered England's greatest Prime Minister. BiBLtor.R.iniY. Pitt's feen published in three volumes (London, 1817) : wliile an account of his parlia- Tncntaiy career is to be found in the Farliament- ari/ ll'istori/, 30 vols. (ib.. 1803-10) : and in Hansard. Pdrliiimcntarii Debates. Consult also: Macaulay. "William Pitt" (one of the essays) ; Stanhope. Life of William Pitt, (2d ed.. London. 1862) : which is the best work on this subject: Roseberv. William Pitt in "Twelve English Statesmen Series" (ib.. 1891): Sergeant. TTiY- Uam Pitt (ib., 1882) : Lccky, Bistonf of Enijlatid in the Eighteenth Centiin/, vols. iv. viii. (ib., 1882-90) ;■ May. Constitutional Hislort/ of Eng- land (ib.. 1863-0.5) : Mahan, Influenee of f!ea Poller upon the French Revolution. 179.3-lSt2 (ib.. 1893). PITT, William (1773-1857). See Amhebst, E'arl of. PITTA (from Telegu pitta, a small bird). One of a group of passerine birds, known as brcce.t by the French. The characteristics are brilliant plumage, a very short tail, long legs, with scu- tellated tarsi, and, generally, a strong bill. They were long supposed to be allied to the thrushes, and several were called 'ground-tlirushes' and "ant-thrushes" in the books; but they are now understood to be more nearly related to the American flycatchers. X'early 50 species have been described, inhabiting the Malay archipelago, China, India, and Australia, while one species occurs in western Africa. Their habits are ter- restrial chielly, and they live amid rocks and brush, hunting mollusks and insects among the fallen leaves, or digging for worms and ants. The.v are shy, quick, and not as often seen as their plaintive, whistling notes are heard. All are small birds of gaudy plumage, which shows such colors as scarlet, l)lue, and green. They make their nests on the ground and lay spotted eggs. Consult: Xewton, Dictionary of Birds (London. 1893; : Evans, /iiiv/.? ( Xew York. 1901) ; and authorities on Indian. Malayan and Aus- tralian ornithologv". See Plate of Cotixgas, etc. PIT'TACUS (Lat.. from Gk. n«TTo/c6t, Pitta- hos ) ( c.B.c. t)52-;569 ) . One of the Seven Wise Men of Greece. He was born at Mitylene in the island of Lesbos, and was a son of Hyrrhadus. a Thra- cian, and a Mitylenean mother of good family. He is celebrated as a soldier, statesman, philoso- pher, and poet. About B.C. Iil2, in conjvinction with the brothers of the poet Alca-us, he overthrew and killed Jlelanchrus, the despot of Mitylene. A few years later, about 606. lie was engaged, at the head of the Mitylenean forces, in fighting the Athenians for the possession of the coast of the Troad near Sigeum. Though neither side was decisively victorious, Pittacus slew with his own hand the Athenian commander Phrj'no. For his services he would take but a small piece of land, which he dedicated to sacred uses: at a later time it was known as the Pittaceian Land. On the banishment of Alca-us, who was the leader of the aristocratic party. Pittacus. as be- ing the most ])romineut democrat in the city, was in 589 chosen ajsymnetes (alirv/tp^rrit,) or ruler with absolute power for ten years. As dictator he reestablished security and peace in the state, and enacted various laws. He is said to have died about 569. Of his poetry a few lines only have been preserved by Diogenas Laertius. PITT DIAMOND. A famous stone, original- ly weighing 410 carats, now reduced to 136''i car.ats. and considered the most brilliant and per- fect diamond in existence, being valued at nearly .?2,5no.OOO. It was found in the Parteal mine's of India, and was sold by a sailor to Thomas Pitt, (Jovernor of Fort Saint George and grand- father of the first Earl of Cliatham. It was sold in 1717 to the Duke of Orleans and hence re- ceived the name of Regent Diamond. During the French Revolution it was pledged in the hands of a Berlin merchant, and was afterward set in the hilt of Xapoleon's word. It is still among the regalia of France. See Plate of Dia- monds. PIT'THEUS. The father of .Ethar. mother of Thosous. He was king of Troezen and .a tenrber of oratorv.