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260 BURKE charges against Hastings. It will be sufficient to obseive, that the variety and extent of Burke's powers were per- haps never exhibited to greater advantage than during this tedious trial. The opening speech of Burke, on the modes of bringing a public delinquent to justice, on the character and situation of the accuser, and the motives by which he ought to be actuated, exhibits at once a most extensive knowledge of the crown law of this king- dom, of the science of jurisprudence, and of ethics in general. His speech on the Rohilla war unites a most complete acquaintance with the Roman policy in the management of distant provinces, and that of modern Europe, to the wisest and most liberal principles respect- ing that department of government. His eloquence, though it did not prove the points he wished to establish concerning Hastings, and was in that view a waste of genius, yet contains facts, imagery, sentiments, and philo- sophy, that render it delightful and estimable No measure which he ever supported subjected Burke to more obloquy and abuse than the prosecution of Hastings.It was stated, that he was instigated to it by personal resentment against the governor-general, in con- sequence of his inattention to Mr. W. Burke. "That Burke," says Dr. Bisset, "or any man, would undertake so laborious a task, which required such minuteness of investigation concerning so intricate details, the materials to be fetched from such a distance, with so great and powerful a body inimical to an inquiry, merely because his friend had been slighted, is hardly within the compass of credibility. Yet from whatever cause it did arise, it Amongst numerous virulent attacks, through the medium of the public press, may be recorded the following vitriolic epigram, which the editor was assured by a lady of veracity, came from the pen of Mrs. Joln Ireland:- I've often wonder'd that on Irish ground No venomous reptile ever could be found ; But Nature, willing to perform her work, Saved all her venom to complete a BURKE.