Sir Elijah Impey appointed Chief Justice Disagreement between Hastings blamed by the Directors for the Rohilla war— -Unsuccess- ful attempt to remove him-His resignation tendered by his agent - Appointment of Wheler - Hastings repudiates his agent's action-Is supported by the Supreme Court-His Crisis in England — The Mahrattas — Hastings' prompt action Discreditable administration of the law in India-Reign of Terror -Struggle between the Council and the Judges-Hastings bribes Impey-Francis again in opposition-Quarrel between Hastings extorts money from Cheyte Sing-Consequent struggle- Francis in Parliament-Burke and Francis in alliance about the The attempts to stop the trial-Its length-Its conclusion-Has- tings acquitted-Popular approval of the verdict-Hastings WARREN HASTINGS. CHAPTER I. THE BOY'S AMBITION. WE are inclined to think that we shall best meet the wishes of our readers, if, instead of minutely examining this book, we attempt to give, in a way necessarily hasty and imperfect, our own view of the life and character of Mr. Hastings. Our feeling towards him 5 is not exactly that of the House of Commons which impeached him in 1787; neither is it that of the House of Commons which uncovered and stood up to receive him in 1813. He had great qualities, and he rendered great services to the State. But to repre- 10 sent him as a man of stainless virtue is to make him ridiculous; and from regard for his memory, if from no other feeling, his friends would have done well to lend no countenance to such adulation. We believe that, if he were now living, he would have sufficient 15 judgment and sufficient greatness of mind to wish to be shown as he was. He must have known that there were dark spots on his fame. He might also have felt with pride that the splendour of his fame would bear many spots. He would have wished 20 B |