had been dearest to the brave sufferer,
who had sate, with the pen in her hand, by his side at the bar, who had
cheered the gloom of his cell, and who, on his last day, had shared with
him the memorials of the great sacrifice, had softened the hearts of
many who were little in the habit of pitying an opponent. That Russell
had many good qualities, that he had meant well, that he had been hardly
used, was now admitted even by courtly lawyers who had assisted in
shedding his blood, and by courtly divines who had done their worst to
blacken his reputation. When, therefore, the parchment which annulled
his sentence was laid on the table of that assembly in which, eight
years before, his face and his voice had been so well known, the
excitement was great. One old Whig member tried to speak, but was
overcome by his feelings. "I cannot," he said, "name my Lord Russell
without disorder. It is enough to name him. I am not able to say more."
Many eyes were directed towards that part of the house where Finch sate.
The highly honourable manner in which he had quitted a lucrative office,
as soon as he had found that he could not keep it without supporting
the dispensing power, and the conspicuous part which he had borne in the
defence of the Bishops, had done much to atone for his faults. Yet,
on this day, it could not be forgotten that he had strenuously exerted
himself, as counsel for the Crown, to obtain that judgment which was now
to be solemnly revoked. He rose, and attempted to defend his conduct:
but neither his legal acuteness, nor that fluent and sonorous elocution
which was in his family a hereditary gift, and of which none of his
family had a larger share than himself, availed him on this occasion.
The House was in no humour to hear him, and repeatedly interrupted
him by cries of "Order." He had been treated, he was told, with great
indulgence. No accusation had been brought against him. Why then
should he, under pretence of vindicating himself, attempt to throw
dishonourable imputations on an illustrious name, and to apologise for
a judicial murder? He was forced to sit dorm, after declaring that
he meant only to clear himself from the charge of having exceeded the
limits of his professional duty; that he disclaimed all intention of
attacking the memory of Lord Russell; and that he should sincerely
rejoice at the reversing of the attainder. Before the House rose the
bill was read a second time, and would have been instantl