Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1841-12-09
81 fsttIIansous.
TRIAL OF WARREN HASTINGS.

We presume, oy MAcArtAr;
The preparations for the trial had pro-
ceeded rapidly; and on the 9th Of Feb.
ruary. l7sS, the sit,ings Of the cour,
commenced. There have been specta.
eles more dazzling TO the eye. more gor.
geous with iewelry aud cloth Of gold,
more attractive 10 grown up children.
Than that which vas then exhibited at
Westminster; but. perhaps. there never
was = spectacle so we'll calculated to strike
. highly cultivated. n rejecting, an ina
gipa'ive mind. All the various kinds Of
interes, which belong 10 the near and to
the distant. 10 the present and the past,
were collected on one spot. and in one
hour. All the ialents and all the accom-.
plishments which are developed hy liber-
" and civilization were now displayed,
with every advantage that could be de.
rived both from CO. operation ard from
contrast. Every step in the proceedings
carrie ! the mind either back ward through
many troubled centuries. TO the DAYS
when the foundations OF the Constitution
were laid; Or far awsy. over boun dless
seas and deserts. to dusky nations living
under strange stars. worshipping strange
gods. and writing strange characters from
right 10 left. The high court Of Paslia.
ment was 10 sit, according 10 forms hand.
ed down from The days Of he Panisge-
nets, on an Epglishman accused Of ex-
ereisinR tyranny over The lord Of the
holy city OF Benares. and the ladies Of
the princely house OF Dude.
The place was worthy Of such trial
II was !be great hall Of William Rufus;
the hall which had resouuded with &c.
CARNATIONS At the Inauguration Of thirty
kings; the hall which had witnessed the
just sentence Of Bacon, and the Just alb
solution Of Somers; the hall where the
eloquence Of Stafford had for q nome Mt
awed and melted a victorious party in
famed with just resentment; the hal.
where Charles had confronted the high
court Of justice with the placid courage
which bad half redeemed bis fame.
Neither military nor civil pomp vas want.
ing. The avenues were lined with gIena.
diers. The streets were kept clear by
J cavalry. The peers, robed in gold and
ermine. were marshalled by ;he heralds,
under Carter King al. Arms. The judges.
IN their vestments OF state, attended 10
give advice on points OF law. Near q
hundred and seventy lords, three .ioUrths
OF the upper House, az the upper House
then was. walked in solemn order from
their usual place Of assembling 10 the
tribunal. The junior baron present LED
the @ay-Lord Heath6eld,recentiy emo.
bled for bis memorable defence Of Gihral.
tar. sgainst the fleets and armies Of France
and Spain. The long procession wa,
closed by the Duke Of Norfolk, Earl Mar.
shall Of the Realm, by the great 6igniia
ries. and by the brothers and sons OF the
King. Last Of all came the Prince o
Wales. conspicuous BY his fine person
aud noble bearing. The grey old walli
were hung with scarlet. The long gal
leries were crowded by such en- audienc,
~ has rarely excited ihe fears or the emu
la6on Of en- orator. There were gather
ed together, fIOm all parts Of great, free
enlightened. and prosperous realm. grac,
aud female loveliness, wit and learning
the representatives, Of every science sn,
Of every art. There were seated roun,
the Queen the fsir.hAired young daueh
ters Of the house Of Brunswick. Their
the amhssssdors Of great Kings and com
monweslihs gazed with admiration on
spectacle which no other country in tn
world could present. There Siddons, IL
the prime Of her majestic beauty. locke,
with emotion on . scene surprising 81
the imiiSlions Of the stage. There tn
historian Of the Roman Empire, though
Of the DAYS when Cicero pleaded ih
cause Of Yeues; and when, be fore a Sen
ate which had still some show OF freedom
TacilUs Numbered against the opprrssol
Of Africa. There were seen. side b
side, the greatest painter aud the gresiet
scholar Of the age
The spectacle had sllured Rsynoid
from that easel which has preserved I
ne the thoughtful hsads Of so many writer
and statesmen. and the sweet smiles
20 many noble ma'rons. II bad induce
Parr 10 suspend his laboFs ~ that daf
and pToioaad mind from. which he be-
exiracied = treasure Of efudiiion--a frcl
sure 100 often buried IN the earth. 10
often paiadsd With injadicious and inel,
CANT Osienlsiion. but It'll precious, maa
I'VE. add splendid. There appeared N
volupiuoos charms Of her 20 whom IN
hef OF The Throne had 20 secret piighte
? bis faith "A There. TOO. Vas she. the be on
idul mother Of besuiiful race. the s
Ceeiiia. whose delicate features. hghie
. uP by love snd music. ct has rescue
from the commons dscsyf There wor
the members Of thai brilliant socisi
Ehicb quoted criticised snd exchange
fepsTiees undsr The rich peacock hans
ings Of Mu Moutagu And there ~
ladies' whore bps, more pssassiss tie
those Of Fox himself had euued Oh
Wefininsler elscfioh sgsinst palace 90
treasury. sbone sfound Gcorgfans, Dach
go II Dcvonsbifs.
The sefgsanis made proclamation o.
Hastings advanced 70 ne bar and ben
hs knee. The eaiprb vs. indeed ~
unvonhy Of that great pfe'ence 80
bed ruled an sHirnnvs snd popui0a
couaify had made laFs snd uesues. BE-
cent forth armies hsd sei W and polis
down princes. Ard IN hm birh place D.
bad % bofoe himself that 81 bad feare