all I suffered." The excitement which was
produced by Burke's speech operated upon all that heard him; ladies
fainted in the galleries, and the inflexible face of the Lord Chancellor
Thurlow was several times seen to quiver with emotion. In pronouncing
his preoration on the fourth day, the orator raised his voice to such
a pitch as seemed to shake the walls and roof of Westminster Hall.
He exclaimed,--"Therefore it is with confidence that, ordered by
the commons, I impeach Warren Hastings Esq., of high crimes and
misdemeanors. I impeach him in the name of the commons of Great Britain,
in parliament assembled, whose trust he has betrayed. I impeach him in
the name of all the commons of Great Britain, whose national character
he has dishonoured. I impeach him in the name of the people of India,
whose laws, rights, and liberties he has subverted, whose properties he
has destroyed, whose country he has laid waste and desolate. I impeach
him in the name of human nature itself, which he has cruelly outraged,
injured, and oppressed in both sexes, in every age, rank, situation, and
condition of life. And I conjure this high and sacred court to let
not these pleadings be heard in vain." As soon as the agitation, which
Burke's speech and accusation gave rise to, had subsided, a debate
ensued respecting the manner in which the defence should be conducted.
It was finally decided, in opposition to the wish of the managing
committee and the opinions of their counsel, that, according to the
usual practice in trials, the prosecutor should complete his case before
the accused commenced his defence. Accordingly, Fox, after making some
complaints against this decision, opened the Benares charge down to the
expulsion of Cheyte Sing, which was followed up and completed by Mr.
Gray. After this the evidence was brought forward, and the whole was
summed up by Mr. Anstruther on the 11th of April. The court did not
meet again till the 15th of April; when Mr. Adam opened the next charge,
relating to the Begums of Oude, which was continued and completed by Mr.
Pelham. The evidence on this charge was summed up by Sheridan; on which
occasion he made another grand display, though, it is said, not equal
to that which he made on the same subject in the house of commons. As
on the former occasion, his speech abounded with tropes and figures; and
his performance attracted a fuller audience than had yet assembled in
the hall. It lasted three whole days; but