Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1860-05-09

lie prosecutor and his friends were left
without the help of his excellent sense, his
urbanity. But, in spite of the absence OF
these two distinguished members Of the low
or house, the box in which the managers
stood, contained an array of speakers such
as perhaps had not appeared together since
the great age of Athenian el%oquence, There
stood Fox and Sheridan, the English Demos
themes, and the English H%yperides. There
was Burke, ignorant, indeed, or negligent of
the art of adapting his reasonings and his
style to the capacity and taste of his hearers;
but in amplitude of comprehension and rich
ness of imagination superior to every orator,
ancient or modern.
There, with eyes re~yerentially fixed on
Burke, appeared the finest gentleman Of the
age-his form developed by every manly ex-
ercise-his face beaming with intelligence
and spirit-the ingenious, the ehivalrous,
the high-souled Windham. Nor, though
surrounded by such men, did the youngest
manager pass unnoticed. At an age when
most of those who distinguish themselves in
life are still ~contending for prizes and fellow
ships at college, he had won for himself a
conspicuous place in Parliament. No adyan-
tage of fortune or connection was wanting
that could set off to the height his splendid
talents and his unblemished honor. At
twenty-three he had been thought worthy to
be ranked with the veteran statesmen, who
appeared as the delegates of the British
commons, at the bar of the British nobility.
All who stood at that bar, save him alone,
are gone-culprit, advocates, accusers. To
the generation which is now in the vigor o.
life, he is the sole representative of a great
age which has passed away. But, thosl
who, within the last ten years, have listened
with delight, till the morning sun shone OF
the tapestries Of the House of Lords, to tn
lofty and animated eloquence of Charles Ear
Grey, are able to form some estimate of tn
powers of a race Of men among whom h
was not the foremost.
The charges and the answers Of Tasting
were first read. This ceremony occupie
two whole days, and was rendered less ted
Gus than it would otherwise have been, b
the silver voice and just emphasis Of Cow
per, the clerk of the court, a near relatio
/ of the amiable poet. On the third day Burk
) rose. Four sittings. of the court were o.
J cupied by his opening speech, which wa
| intended to be a general introduction to a
f the charges. With an exuberance of though
j; and a splendor of diction which more tha
j satisfied the highly-raised expectation Of Il
5 audience, he described the character and i
E stitutions of the natives of India, recounf'
4 the circumstances in which the Asiatic Ell
d pire of Britain had originated and set for
= the constitution of the Company, and of Il
S English presidencies. Having thus attem
s ted to communicate to his hearers an id
of Eastern society, as vivid as that viii
d existed in his own mind, he proceeded
5. arraign the administration of Hastings,
T. systematically conducted in defiance OF II
IT rality and public law.
IS The energy and pathos Of the great orat
n extorted expressions of unwonted adml
ton, even from the stern and hestle Oh;
ne cellor; and for a moment, seemed to pie
I'd even the resolute heart of the defendant
a The ladies in the galleries, unaccustemed
I'd such displays of eloqucnee, excited by
o. solemnity Of the occasion, and perhaps
unwilling to display their taste and sensi
ig- ity, were in a state of uncomfortable emoti
Of Handkerchiefs were pualedout, smelling |
of ties were handed round, hysterical sobs
nd screams were heard, and Mrs. Sheridan
re carried into a fit. At length the ora
ere concluded.-Raising his voice till the
ely arches Of Irish oak resounded-"Therefol
ra- said he, 'shath it with all confidence b
ON ordered by the Commons of Great Brit
md that l impeach Warren Hastings of /
,ss. crimes and misde4neaFors. | impeach
ery inthe name of the Common House Parliam
ted whose trust he has betrayed. / impeach
gh- in the name of the English nation, whose
the Gent honor he has sullied. l impeach
in the name of the people of India, VI
acle rights he has trodden under foot, and W
uld country he has turned into a desert. ]
her ly, in the naFne Of human nature itsel
n a the name of both sexes, in the name of e
the age, in the nam of every rank, | imp
nan the common enemy and -oppressor Of al