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BURKE is certain that Burke indulged in the coarsest personal observations on Mr. Hastings, and in many violent exag- gerations not founded on the slightest proof. On one occasion in particular it is stated, that, in a moment of Mr. Hastings' hesitation about the ceremony of kneeling at the bar, which proceeded from accident, Burke com- manded him to kneel, with a ferocity in his countenance 261 which no painting could express. In the debates which took place, during his majesty's illness in 1788-9, on the settlement of a regency, Burke stood forward with an unusual degree of prominence, and in a manner which certainly did no credit either to his pradence or to his feelings. It is well known that the opinion expressed by Mr. Pitt on this occasion, was, that it remained with parliament to supply the deficieney, as in other circumstances not before provided for by the exist- ing laws. Fox, on the other side, contended, that during this incapacity, there was virtually a demise of the crown; and that therefore the next heir should assume the powers of government, while the incapacity continued. Burke's intimate connection with the prince, the interest of his friends, and no doubt also his own hopes of again coming into office, led him to support this latter opinion. But the warmth with which he contended, and particularly the indecent and cruel expressions which burst from him respecting his majesty, created a more general dislike to his character than had hitherto been entertained, and occa- sioned a feeling in the house more formidable to his friends than to the minister whom they opposed. His biographer, whose object it is to exhibit him to the world as perfectly consistent in his public character, appears to have been desirous to cast a veil over this part of his history. Yet, as it exhibits, perhaps, more charac- teristic features of the man as well as the politician, than any other action of his life, we have thought it improper to avoid noticing it. And when we consider, that this violence of temper and passion were exercised on the