McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson XXXII · Part 4: Lessons XXV-XXXVI: Orators and soldiers
38. Pitt's Reply to Sir Robert Walpole (William Pitt)
Goal: Your student reads a famous reply with controlled force and explains how Pitt turns the charge of youth against his accuser.
You'll need
- The book, or the scan beside this guide
- A notebook and pen
- A dictionary
What's in the book
An author note on William Pitt, later Earl of Chatham, then his reply to Walpole, beginning with "the atrocious crime of being a young man."
The lesson, step by step
Words and meanings
Before reading, find these words in the selection and look up any your student does not know: atrocious, decency, calumniator, contemptible.
About the author
The book says William Pitt (1708-1778) entered Parliament in 1735 and strongly opposed Walpole. He later opposed the Stamp Act, was made Earl of Chatham in 1766, and was called the "Great Commoner." He died weeks after collapsing during a speech in the House of Lords.
Read it aloud
Read the opening together:
The atrocious crime of being a young man, which the honorable gentleman has, with such spirit and decency,
Your student reads the whole reply with rising force.
Talk about it
SayHow does Pitt answer the charge of being young? Is he serious when he calls youth an "atrocious crime"?
SayRead: "and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience." Whom is he talking about?
SayPitt says old age can be "justly contemptible." When?
SayWho wins this exchange, in your opinion? Why?
Tell it back
Your student explains both sides of the exchange: what Walpole charged and how Pitt replied.
Copywork and memory
Copy:
and not of that number who are ignorant in spite of experience.
Write (optional)
Write a short, polite but firm reply to an unfair criticism (real or imagined).
Afterwards
Have two people read Lessons XXXI and XXXII aloud as a debate.