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BURKE. 959 committed under the semblance of justice, united in the person of the govertnor-general. In the beginning of July 1784, he made a speech on the enormities he ascribed to Hastings; and displayed, in the picture he drew, powers which might have composed a most admirable tragedy. He brought forward a string of resolutions, as the foun- dation of an inquiry into the conduct of Mr. Hastings. This was briefly opposed by Pitt, because there was not at that time that undoubted evidence of delinquency which alohe could evinee the propriety of the motion Burke's fancy and passions getting much warmer from opposition, pictured to him Hastings as the greatest monster that ever cursed the earth; persisting in pressing the subject, he was at length overpowered by a loud and continual clamour. The want of effective talent on the iministerial benches, had repeatedly compelled them to have recourse to this expedient, to drown the eloquence of Burke. The dignity of conscious superiority should have rendered him indifferent to such a disturbance, in- stead of which he frequehtly fell into the most outrageous fits of passion; and once told them that he could discipline a pack of hounds to yelp with much more melody and equal comprehension. From this time Burke devoted the whole of his attention to this important subject; and the committee of the house having presented a report, in which they accused Hastings and Hornby with having, " in sundry instances, acted in a manner repugnant to the honour and policy of this nation, Burke pledged himself to move an impeachment, when Hastings' return should enable him to refute the charges if false. During the recess of 1785 Hastings returned from India. On the commencement of the ensuing session, Burke was challenged by Major Scott to bring forwar bis charges. This he promised to do; and, on Feb. 17, 1786, he called the attention of the house to that subject; and the impeachment was agreed to. It is not our intention to repeat even the heads of the