It is added (Dec. 7, 1780),-- “I have not yet received the notification of my election. It will probably not take place till the end of this week, as Sir James Lowther was to settle an election at Haslemere before he went into the north, and meant to be present at Appleby afterwards. The parliament adjourned yesterday, so I shall not take my seat till after the holidays.” This confidence discloses that such a thing as a contest, let alone a defeat, was not for a moment entertained. “I propose before long, in spite of politics, to make an excursion for a short time to Lord Westmoreland’s (Althorp, Northamptonshire), and shall probably look at my constituents that should have been, at Cambridge, in my way.” About three years later, William Pitt, by that time the most conspicuous statesman of his day, and already prime minister of England by the royal will, on the downfall of the coalition, realized his former ambition, and he offered himself successfully for the University of Cambridge. In order to enter for this distinction, Pitt had declined two seats, voluntarily placed at his disposal: when the war-cry arose from the hustings throughout the kingdom, he was put in nomination, without either his knowledge or consent, for the city of London, as usual the first election in point of time; the show of hands was declared to be in the young statesman’s favour, but when apprised of the fact he declined the poll. Such were the honours heaped upon this proud juvenile premier, that he was constantly refusing favours solicitously placed at his acceptance. “He was pressed,” says Earl Stanhope, “to stand for several other cities and towns, more especially for the city of Bath, which his father had represented, and the king was vexed at his refusal of this offer. But the choice of Pitt was already made. He had determined, as we have seen, to offer himself for the University of Cambridge.” He held at this time all the state patronage, and, moreover, with the king at his back, he meant mischief to the members of the ministry recently displaced from power by his royal master; and was about to trust to his faculties and the reserve forces he could command for a great electioneering campaign. He found time to write to his friend in Yorkshire:-- “DEAR WILBERFORCE,