to inflict on a parent that destruction, of which he was himself reserved but to be the last victim!

The counsel in recommending an attention to the public in preference to the private letters, had remarked in particular, that one letter should not be taken as evidence, because it was evidently and abstractedly private, as it contained in one part the anxieties of Mr. Middleton for the illness of his son-This was a singular argument indeed. The circumstance undoubtedly merited strict observation, though not in the view in which it was placed by the counsel. It went to show that some at least of those concerned in these transactions, felt the force of those ties, which their efforts were directed to tear asunder-that those who could ridicule the respective attachment of a mother and a sonwho would prohibit the reverence of the son to the mother who had given him life-who could deny to maternal debility the protection which filial tenderness should afford-were yet sensible of the straining of those cords by which they were connected. There was something in the present business—with all that was horrible to create aversion-so vilely loathsome, as to excite disgust. If it were not a part of my duty, it would be superfluous to speak of the sacredness of the ties which those aliens to feelingthose apostates to humanity, had thus divided. In such an assembly, as that before which I speak, there is not an eye but must look reproof to this conduct-not a heart but must anticipate its condemnation. Filial piety! It is the primal bond of society-It is that instinctive principle, which, panting for its proper good, soothes, unbidden, each sense and sensibility of man! It now quivers on every lip!—it now beams from every eye! It is that gratitude, which softening under the sense of recollected good, is eager to own the vast countless debt it ne'er, alas! can pay-for so many long years of unceasing solicitudes, honorable self denials, life-preserving cares! It is that part of our practice, where duty drops its awe!-where reverence refines into love! It asks no aid of memory! It needs not the deductions of reason! Pre-existing, paramount over all, whether law or human rule-few arguments can increase and none can diminish it! It is the sacrament of our nature-not only the duty, but the indulgence of man-It

is his first great privilege-It is amongst his last most endearing delights!—when the bosom glows with the idea of reverberated love when to requite on the visitations of nature, and return the blessings that have been received, when-what was emotion fixed into vital principle what was instinct habituated into a master passion-sways all the sweetest energies of man-hangs over each vicissitude of all that must pass away-aids the melancholy virtues in their last sad tasks of life-to cheer the languors of decrepitude, and age-explore the thought-explain the aching eye!

He then proceeded to relate the circumstances of the imprisonment of Bahar Ally Cawn and Jewar Ally Cawn, the ministers of the nabob, on the grounds he had stated: with them was confined that arch rebel Sumpshire Cawn, by whom every act of hostility that had taken place against the English, was stated to have been committed. No inquiry, however, was made concerning his treason, though many had been held respecting the treasure of the others. He was not so far noticed as to be deprived of his food; nor was he even complimented with fetters! and yet when he is on a future day to be informed of the mischiefs he was now stated to have done, he must think that on being forgotten, he had a very providential escape! The others were, on the contrary, taken from their milder prison at Fyzabad; and when threats could effect nothing, transferred by the meek humanity of Mr. Middleton to the fortress of Chunargur. There, where the British flag was flying, they were doomed to deeper dungeons, heavier chains, and severer punishments. There where that flag was displayed, which was wont to cheer the depressed, and to dilate the subdued heart of misery-these venerable, but unfortunate men were fated to encounter something lower than perdition, and something blacker than despair! It appeared from the evidence

* The following note from Mr. Middleton to Lieutenant Francis Rutledge, dated January 20, 1782, had been read in evidence:

"Sir,

“When this note is delivered to you by Hoolas Roy, I have to desire, that you order the two prisoners to be put in irons, keeping them from all food, &c. agreeable to my instructions of yesterday.

(Signed,)

NATH. MIDDLETON."

of Mr. Holt and others, that they were both cruelly logged, though one was above seventy years of age, to extort a confession of the buried wealth of the Begums! Being charged with disaffection, they proclaimed their innocence. "Tell us where are the

remaining treasures (was the reply)-it is only a treachery to your immediate sovereigns and you will then be fit associates for the representatives of British faith and British justice in India!" Oh! faith, Oh justice! exclaimed Mr. Sheridan, I conjure you by your sacred names to depart for a moment from this place, though it be your peculiar residence; nor hear your names profaned by such a sacrilegious combination, as that which I am now compelled to repeat! where all the fair forms of nature and art, truth and peace, policy and honor, shrunk back aghast from the deleterious shade; where all existences, nefarious and vile, had sway; where amidst the black agents on one side, and Middleton with Impey on the other, the toughest bend, the most unfeeling shrink! -the great figure of the piece; characteristic in his place! aloof and independent, from the puny profligacy in his train! but far from idle and inactive, turning a malignant eye on all mischief that awaits him!-the multiplied apparatus of temporizing expedients, and intimidating instruments !-now cringing on his prey, and fawning on his vengeance!-now quickening the limping pace of craft, and forcing every stand that retiring nature can make in the heart!-the attachments and the decorums of life!—each emotion of tenderness and honor !-and all the distinctions of national characteristics!-with a long catalogue of crimes and aggravations, beyond the reach of thought for human malignity to perpetrate, or human vengeance to punish !-lower than perdition -blacker than despair!

But justice is not this halt and miserable object! It is not the ineffective bauble of an Indian Pagod! It is not the portentous phantom of despair—It is not like any fabled monster, formed in the eclipse of reason, and found in some unhallowed grove of superstitious darkness, and political dismay! No, my lords!

In the happy reverse of all this, I turn from this disgusting caricature to the real image! Justice I have now before me august and pure! the abstract idea of all that would be perfect in

the spirits and the aspirings of men! where the mind rises, where the heart expands-where the countenance is ever placid and benign: where her favorite attitude is to stoop to the unfortunate to hear their cry and to help them :-to rescue and relieve, to succor and save :-majestic, from its mercy :—venerable, from its utility:-uplifted, without pride:-firm, without obduracy-beneficent in each preference :-lovely, though in her

frown!

On that justice I rely :--Deliberate and sure, abstracted from all party purpose and political speculation !-not on words, but on facts-you, my lords, who hear me, I conjure, by those rights it is your best privilege to preserve-by that fame it is your best. pleasure to inherit--by all those feelings which refer to the first term in the series of existence, the original compact of our nature -our controlling rank in the creation-This is the call on all, to administer to truth and equity, as they would satisfy the laws and satisfy themselves-with the most exalted bliss, possible or conceivable for our nature:-The self-approving consciousness of virtue, when the condemnation we look for will be one of the most ample mercies accomplished for mankind since the creation of the world! My lords, I have done!

BURKE'S EULOGY ON SHERIDAN'S SPEECH.

MR. SHERIDAN has this day surprised the thousands, who hung with rapture on his accents, by such an array of talents, such an exhibition of capacity, such a display of powers, as are unparalleled in the annals of oratory; a display that reflected the highest honor upon himself, lustre upon letters, renown upon parliament, glory upon the country. Of all species of rhetoric, of every kind of eloquence, that has been witnessed, or recorded, either in ancient, or modern times; whatever the acuteness of the bar, the dignity of the senate, the solidity of the judgment-seat, and the sacred morality of the pulpit have hitherto furnished; nothing has surpassed, nothing has equalled what we have this day heard in

Westminster Hall. No holy seer of religion, no sage, no statesman, no orator, no man of any literary description whatever, has come up, in the one instance, to the pure sentiments of morality, or in the other, to that of variety of knowledge, force of imagination, propriety and vivacity of allusion, beauty and elegance of diction, strength and copiousness of style, pathos and sublimity of conception, to which we have this day listened with ardor and admiration. From poetry up to eloquence, there is not a species of composition of which a complete and perfect specimen might not, from that single speech, be culled and collected.

PETITION OF THE WIFE OF ALMAS ALI CAWN TO WARREN HASTINGS.

MAY the blessings of thy God wait upon thee, may the sun of glory shine round thy head, and may the gates of plenty, honor, and happiness be always open to thee and thine. May no sorrow distress thy days, may no strife disturb thy nights, may the pillow of peace kiss thy cheeks, and the pleasures of imagination attend thy dreams; and when length of years makes thee tired of earthly joys, and the curtain of death gently closes round the last sleep of human existence, may the angels of God attend thy bed, and take care that the expiring lamp of life shall not receive one rude blast to hasten its extinction.

O hearken then to the voice of distress, and grant the petition of thy servant! O spare the father of my children, save the partner of my bed, my husband, my all that is dear! Consider, O nighty sir! that he did not become rich by iniquity; and that what he possessed was the inheritance of a long line of flourishing ancestors; who in those smiling days, when the thunder of Great Britain was not heard on the fertile plains of Hindostan, reaped their harvests in quiet, and enjoyed their patrimony unmolested. Think, O think! that the God thou worshippest, delights not in the blood of the innocent: remember thy own commandment, thou shalt not kill, and by the order of heaven give me back my