But in spite of the absence of these two distinguished members of the Lower House，the box in which the managers stood contained an array of speakers such as perhaps had not appeared together since the great age of Athenian eloquence.There were Fox and Sheridan，the English Demosthenes and the English Hyperides.There was Burke，ignorant，indeed，or negligent of the art of adapting his reasonings and his style to the capacity and taste of his hearers，but in amplitude of comprehension and richness of imagination superior to every orator，ancient or modern.
There，with eyes reverentially fixed on Burke，appeared the finest gentleman of the agehis form developed by every manly exercise，his face beaming with intelligence and spiritthe ingenious，the chivalrous，the highsouled Windham.Nor，though surrounded by such men，did the youngest manager pass unnoticed.At an age when most of those who distinguish themselves in life are still contending for prizes and fellowships at college，he had won for himself a conspicuous place in Parliament.No advantage of fortune or connection was wanting that could set off to the height his splendid talents and his unblemished honour.At twentythree he had been thought worthy to be ranked with the veteran statesmen who appeared as the delegates of the British Commons at the bar of the British nobility.All who stood at the bar，save him alone，are goneculprit，advocates，accusers.To the generation which is now in the vigour of life，he is the sole representative of a great age which has passed away.But those who，within the last ten years，have listened with delight till the morning sun shone on the tapestries of the House of Lords，to the lofty and animated eloquence of Charles，Earl Grey，are able to form some estimate of the powers of a race of men among whom he was not the foremost.
The charges，and the answers of Hastings，were first read.The ceremony occupied two whole days，and was rendered less tedious than it would otherwise have been by the silver voice and just emphasis of Cowper，the clerk of the court，near relation of the amiable poet.On the third day Burke rose.Four sittings were occupied byhis opening speech，which was intended to be a general introduction to all the charges.With an exuberance of thought and splendour of diction which more than satisfied the highly raised expectations of the audience，he described the character and institutions of the natives of India；recounted the circumstances in which the Asiatic empire of Britain had originated；and set forth the constitution of the Company and of the English Presidencies.Having thus attempted to communicate to his hearers an idea of Eastern society，as vivid as that which existed in his own mind，he proceeded to arraign the administration of Hastings，as systematically conducted in defiance of morality and public law.
The energy and pathos of the great orator extorted expressions of unwonted admiration from the stern and hostile Chancellor，and，for a moment，seemed to pierce even the resolute heart of the defendant.The ladies in the galleries，unaccustomed to such displays of eloquence，excited by the solemnity of the occasion，and perhaps not unwilling to display their taste and sensibility，were in a state of uncontrollable emotion.Handkerchiefs were pulled out，smellingbottles were handed round；hystericalsobs and screams were heard；and Mrs.Sheridan wascarried out in a fit.At length the orator concluded.Raising his voice till the old arches of Irish oak resounded：“Therefore，”said he，“hath it with all confidence been ordered by the Commons of Great Britain，that I impeach Warren Hastings of high crimes and misdemeanours.I impeach him in the name of the Commons‘House of Parliament，whose trust he has betrayed.I impeach himin the name of the English nation，whose ancient honour he has sullied.I impeach him in the name of the people of India，whose rights he has trodden under foot and whose country he has turned into a desert.Lastly，in the name of human nature itself，in the name of both sexes，in the name of every age，in the name of every rank，I impeach the common enemy and oppressor of all.”