ighly 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, smelling-bottles were handed
round; hysterical sobs and screams were heard; and Mrs. Sheridan was
carried 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 him in 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."

--_Macaulay_

This lesson is an exercise on Inflection, especially as
it occurs on antithetical words or phrases and on series
of words or phrases parallel in construction.
(Introduction, pp. 19 and 20.)

* * * * *

PERORATION OF OPENING SPEECH AGAINST WARREN HASTINGS

1. In the name of the Commons of England, I charge all this villainy
upon Warren Hastings, in this last moment of my application to you.

2. My Lords, what is it that we want here to a great act of national
justice. Do we want a cause, my Lords? You have the cause of oppressed
prince