1 Windham, Wm.-(1750-1810), an eloquent statesman, and member of the Coalition Ministry of 1783. Macaulay elsewhere speaks of him as "the high-souled Windham." CHAPTER XXVII. There have been right to left-We here come to the opening sentences of that fascinating word-picture so frequently quoted from Macaulay, the scene of the trial of Warren Hastings. How graphic is the picture need hardly be pointed out. The stately movement of the sentences; the animation of the style, with its balanced structure, abrupt transitions, and pointed figures of speech; the splendour of the imagery, the flashing of antithesis, and the crispness and vigour of the epigrams so characteristic of the Essay as a whole-come specially out in the description of the scene in Westminster Hall. Note in the last four words of the present passage how the Essayist descends to what would seem triviality of detail, except that he wishes to make clear the allusion to the strange written characters of the Semitic languages, which are traced from right to left. Plantagenets--a line of English monarchs from Henry II. (1154) to Richard II. (1399). The name is derived from the common broom of Anjou (the planta genista), a sprig of which Geoffrey, the father of Henry II., used to wear in his helmet. During the rule of the Plantagenets (See the "Good Parliament" [1360-77] under Richard III.) the Commons wrested from the Crown many practical reforms, and received many concessions in the interest of the people. The right of Parliament to inquire into public abuses, and to impeach public counsellors, were among the privileges granted at this period. Great Rufus-See note to Westminster Hall, Chap. XI. Bacon, Sir Francis-(1561-1626), statesman, author, philosopher, and judge. In 1621, while Lord High Chancellor, he was impeached for taking bribes and for other corrupt practices; and was fined and imprisoned. His sentence was afterwards remitted. Burke thus speaks of him: "Who is there that upon hearing the name of Lord Bacon does not instantly recognize everything of genius the most profound, everything of literature the most extensive, everything of discovery the most penetrating, everything of observation of human life the most distinguished and refined?" Somers, John, Lord (1651-1716), a great Whig leader during the reign of William and Anne; an active promoter of the Revolution, friend of Addison, and Lord Chancellor. In 1701 he was impeached for alleged illegal practices, but acquitted, owing to a disagreement between the Commons and the Lords as to the mode of procedure against him. Stafford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, (1593-1641), impeached by Pym, in the Long Parliament, for having plotted with Laud for subverting the Constitution and making Charles I. an absolute monarch. He was condemned to death by a "bill of attainder." The eloquence of his defence is a matter of history. Victorious party fame the Parliamentary forces opposed to Charles and Stafford, and which ultimately brought the King to trial and to his death. At his trial, in 1649, Charles bore himself with great dignity. Queen Brunswick-Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, wife of George III. House of Brunswick, or Hanover, -the line of sovereigns from George I. to Victoria. Siddons, Sarah-(1755-1831), a great tragedy queen and actress, then at the height of her fame. Historian Empire-Edward Gibbon (1739-94), author of The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, a work which gave a new impulse to historical studies. The history is grandly conceived and is rich in detail, though its style is heavily-laden and its tone contemptuous. It appeared during the years 1776-88. Cicero-(B. C. 106-43), a great Roman orator and statesman. Verres, praetor of Sicily, was impeached (B.C. 70) for acts of cruelty, and Cicero conducted the prosecution. His orations on the occasion finely manifest his genius. Tacitus Africa-Tacitus (A.D. 55-117), a celebrated Roman historian, whose chief works extant are Histories, Annals, Germany, and Life of Agricola. Tacitus was one of the prosecutors of Marius Priscus, Roman Governor of Africa about the end of the first century. Greatest Painter-Sir Joshua Reynolds (1723-92); Greatest Scholar-Samuei Parr, LL.D., (1747-1825), a renowned classical scholar and editor. See De Quincey's essay. Charms of "her"-Mrs. Fitzherbert, who was privately married, in 1785, to the Prince of Wales, afterwards George IV. Saint Cecelia-understood to refer to Mrs. Sheridan, whose portrait Sir Joshua Reynolds had painted in the character of the patroness of Music. Mrs. (Elizabeth) Montagu-(1720-1800), founder of the "Blue-Stocking Club," an author of some note, and great friend of the eminent literary men of the time. See Doran's "A Lady of the Last Century," and Boswell's "Life of Johnson." Ladies Devonshire-In the election canvasses of the time, it was not uncommon for ladies to solicit for their friends the votes of electors. The Duchess of Devonshire is said to have gained for Fox the vote of a butcher by allowing him to kiss her. The culprit judges-Note in this brief paragraph the fine description of Hastings dignified appearance at the Bar of the Peers; aiso note the animation of the narrator's style. Mens æqua in arduis—a mind equal, or serene, amid difficulties. But neither accusers-Note here the mode of transition, from the description of the accused to that of the accusers. It is easy yet effective, and has the art of exciting the reader by its quality of suspense. Great age 322). eloquence-From Pericles (B.C. 450) to Demosthenes (B.C. English Demosthenes-Charles James Fox. Demosthenes (B. C. 388-322) was the greatest of Athenian orators. English Hyperides-Richard Brinsley Sheridan. Hyperides, a contemporary of Demosthenes, and an eloquent Greek orator. His writings have not come down to us. Ignorant hearers-Burke by this time had lost the ear of the House, partly owing to his political attitude, and partly to the philosophic character of his speeches, which wearied the members. Youngest manager-Charles, Earl Grey (1764-1845), an English statesman of chivalrous honour, who rendered great political services in his day. At the period of Hastings' trial he was but 24 years of age, and he held the office of Prime Minister when the Reforın Bill of 1832 was passed. Macaulay's panegyric is well-deserved. CHAPTER XXVIII. With an exuberance all! -This is one of the most effective passages in the Essay. The Anaphora and the climax in the peroration will not escape the reader. Nor will the fine touch of the essayist be missed, where he alludes to the "resounding arches of Irish oak," as if the building itself sympathized, as has been remarked, with the great Irish orator. Lac-one hundred thousand; crore-ten millions; aumil-court official; sunnud-a warrant ; perwannah-a judge's order; jaghire-a tract of land; nuzzar, a present, or bribe made to a superior. The King's illness-See note on the Regency, Chap. XXIV. States-General-the Representative Assembly of France, which Louis XVI. summoned to meet during the Revolution, though it had not met since the time of "No sooner did it meet Richelieu. It was afterwards called the National Assembly. 66 at Versailes," says Mr. Green, than the fabric of despotism and privilege began to crumble." Oracles of jurisprudence-By Metonymy, for the great law officers of the Crown, on whom the House depended for advice in legal matters. CHAPTER XXIX. Woolsack-the seat of the Lord Chancellor in the House of Lords. The great chiefs-Burke, Sheridan, Fox, Windham, Grey. He saw Pantheon-Observe the effective use of Anaphora, and the keen irony which characterizes this passage from Burke. Note also how it depreciates the value of Hastings' testimonials. Logan, John-(1784-1788), divine, poet and miscellaneous writer. In 1783 Logan published a tragedy entitled Runnimede," founded on the story of Magna Charta; and in the following year he brought out a defence of Warren Hastings. He is a type of the political parson of the time. See Adams' "Dictionary of English Literature." Simpkin's Letters-an account in verse of the Hastings' Trial, one of the many squibs which the proceedings evoked. Published in 1790. . Anthony (Tony) Pasquin-the name of an old Roman cobbler, who was wont to make cutting remarks about his neighbours. The name was assumed by Williams for low political objects. Addington, Mr. Henry-(1757-1844). Premier (1801-4) in a ministry of the second rank of political eminence in England. Green speaks of him as "a man as dull aad bigoted as George (III.) himself." He owed his elevation to office by opposing Catholic Emancipation. CHAPTER XXX. Allipore-a suburb of Calcutta. Covent Garden-the chief market in London for flowers, fruit and vegetables. Thibet-An extensive plateau north of the Himalayas. Bootan (sometimes Bhutan)—an independent province in the n.e. of India, between Assam and the Himalayas. Trissotin-a gallant who affects poetry in Moliere's play of Femmes Savantes. Dionysius-(B.C. 430-367) an Athenian general and dilletante in literature. Frederic (the Great)-(1712-86), King of Prussia (1740-86) and a successful general who, however, dabbled in letters. Hayley, Wm. (1745-1820), poet and dramatist. He wrote a Life of Cowper, published in 1803. Seward, Wm. Henry-(1746-99), a now forgotten miscellaneous writer and collector of anecdotes. Sheldonian Theatre-The great hall in Oxford where university degrees are conferred. Guildhall-a civic hall in London where distinguished people are entertained by the city fathers. With all his faults obloquy-a touching passage, one of the few instances of pathos in Macaulay's writings. Great Abbey-Westminster Abbey, where Hastings' accusers, Pitt and Fox, lie buried. Note the beautiful figure, "that temple of silence and reconciliation." Great Hall-Westminster Hall. Bichelieu (1585-1642), a great French statesman and cardinal. The period of his power and influence was from 1624 till his death. Cosmo de Medici-(D. 1574), a statesman of the Florentine Republic, and liberal patron of learning and the fine arts. CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE. [Chief Incidents in Warren Hastings' Career.] YEAR. AGE 1600 1623 1640 1658 1698 1709 1725 1732 1740 1742 10 1746 1747 1749 EVENT. East India Company granted its first charter. Mogul Emperor Aurungzebe began to reign. (Died, 1707.) Amalgamation of rival East India Companies. Sir Philip Francis ("Junius?") born. (Died, 1818.) Dupleix made Governor of French India. 1750 18 Hastings arrives in India. Clerk in Bengal. 1751 1752 20 1756 1757 25 1758 1759 1760 1761 29 Hastings sent to trade at Cosimbazar. Massacre of English in Black Hole at Calcutta. H. prisoner and secret agent of E.I.C. at Moorshedabad. Clive takes Chinsurah from Dutch. Governor of Bengal. Sir Eyre Coote defeats French at Wandewash. (to 1772) Dual system of administration in Bengal. Hastings returns to India as member of Council at Madras. removes Mahommed Reza Khan. sells Corah and Allahabad to Oude. The Regulating Act passed by British Parliament. English troops lent to conduct Rohilla war. YEAR. AGE CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE-(Continued). EVENT. Hastings quarrels with the Council and the Directors. Pondicherry captured by Sir Hector Munro. 48 Hastings fights a duel with Sir Philip Francis. 1777 1780 1781 1784 (to 1799) Wars with Hyder Ali and Tippoo Saib in Carnatic. Hyder Ali defeated by Sir E. Coote at Porto Novo. Plunder of Cheyte Sing and the Begums. Benares made subject to the East India Co. Hastings accused of taking a bribe from Nabob of Oude. Hastings resigns and returns to England. 66 Hastings tried for high crimes and misdemeanors. 66 End of third Mysore war: Wellington at Seringapatam : GOVERNORS AND GOVERNORS-GENERAL OF INDIA UNDER THE EAST INDIA COMPANY, 1758-1858. |