ly favourable to a display of
that impassioned eloquence in which the orators of antiquity so much
excelled, when acting as public accusers; and it is universally agreed
that Sheridan's speech was incomparably the best of its class that had
ever been delivered in the British senate. Its power was seen in its
effects. When the orator sat down, all, or nearly all in the house,
both members, peers, and strangers, joined in a tumult of applause,
and clapped their hands as though they were in a theatre. This was
exceedingly irregular and indecorous, but it shows that Sheridan had
enlisted the feelings of his audience on his side. So manifest were
the effects which it produced, that Sir William Dolben, a friend of
Hastings, foreseeing a conviction if the house divided in the midst of
such excitement, moved that there should be an adjournment. Pitt was in
favour of this motion; but Fox, who wished for a division as much as Sir
William Dolben feared it, objected, and reminded gentlemen that it was
still "only midnight." He remarked:--"It is obvious that the speech just
delivered has made no ordinary impression; and I see no reason why we
may not come to the question. If any friend of Mr. Hastings should wish
to attempt effacing the impression, this appears to be the proper time
for doing it." Major Scott, in reply, stated that he conld convict
Sheridan of gross misrepresentation of facts, and professed his
willingness to proceed if it was the pleasure of the house; but Pitt
interposed, and an adjournment took place at one o'clock in the morning.
The debate was resumed on the morrow by Francis, the most bitter enemy
Hastings had in the house, and who heightened the picture which Sheridan
had so forcibly drawn. Major Scott replied, and used some powerful
arguments on behalf of the accused. The most powerful was that with
which he concluded his speech. He observed:--"One fact no man can doubt;
namely, that the sum procured from the princesses of Oude could not have
been raised from any other source. And, without that supply, we might
now have been debating here how Mr. Hastings should be impeached--not
for saving, but for losing India." Scott's speech made some impression
on the house, but it was of no avail, inasmuch as Sheridan had succeeded
in convincing Pitt that Hastings was guilty. Pitt said that he had
compared the charge minutely with the evidence; that he was ready to
concur with the motion; and that he thought himself boun