the extent of his power, and the facility with which he could muster up his forces, that in the very tumult of his eloquence, they presented themselves to his mind to aid, to strengthen, and to carry the cause he supported. The harmony of his periods, and the accuracy of his expressions, even in his most unpremeditated speeches were among the least of the oratorical distinctions of this wonderful man. In the most rapid of his flights, when the torrent of his eloquence could scarce keep pace with his thoughts, and the hearer with difficulty attend him in his course, he never failed to seize the most choice and felicitous expressions that are to be found in the treasury of language. His mind was an emporium of knowledge, and the communication of his stores was elegant, graceful, and attractive. In the House of Commons his details were interesting, important, was and correct, his arguments forcible, replete with information, and never supported by designed misrepresentation to answer the purposes of debate. His knowledge of parliamentary business was so vast and multifarious that every matter brought into discussion, whether politics, jurisprudence, finances, commerce, manufactures, or internal police, with all their divisions, sub-divisions, and ramifications, treated by him in such a manner as to induce those who heard him to imagine, that he had dedicated his life to the investigation of that particular subject. To conclude our brief sketch of this extraordinary man, it would be injustice to pass over his occasional displays of the most pure morals, or to omit the acknowledgment that his speeches seldom failed to possess a strong tincture of the most amiable philosophy, The other great character whom the Prince of Wales honoured with his particular confidence, and who by the unanimous voice of his fellow citizens was ranked almost on a level with Burke and Fox was Mr. Sheridan. Confessedly the first dramatic writer of his age, he was qualified by his talents. no less to shine in the senate house than to delight in the closet or on the stage. A writer of great eminence (Dr. Parr) in sketching the character of Mr. Sheridan has said: "The golden tide of eloquence which Burke pours forth; the urbanity, the easy and unstudied elegance of North; the subtlety, the vigor, the variety of Fox, all these are conspicuously united in Sheridan. "In the late public cause instituted against a certain governor (Hastings) how extensive were his claims to favour and to fame! With what energy of voice and spirit did he attach the at tention of his hearers of all ranks, ages, and parties! In how wonderful a manner did he communicate delight, and incline the most reluctant spirits to his purpose! was "To the discussion of this cause he came admirably prepared-all anxious expectation and attention. From the very beginning he appeared to justify impatience. That subject, so various, complicated and abstruse, he comprehended with precision, and explained with systematic acuteness. He placed every argument in that particular point, where it had the greatest energy and effect.-Throughout a very long speech he was careful to use no imprudent expression, but was manifestly and uniformly consistent with himself. His style was dexterously adapted to the contingence of the occasion:-in one part he was copious and splendid; in another more concise and pointed; and gave additional polish to truth. As he found it necessary, he instructed, delighted, or agitated his hearers. He appeared to have no other object in view but that of giving the faires termination to the business: to prove the guilt of the accused by the most indisputable evidence, and to confirm the object of investigation by strong and decisive reasoning. Then first aid that Scot,* audacious as he is, tremble with alarm, and altogether forget his usual loquacity. But the minister rendered Sheridan the tribute of his suffrage, either because he felt the irresistible impression of his eloquence or chose to embrace this as the fairest opportunity of atoning for his former most reproachful conduct. "At that time Sheridan discovered * Major Scot, the great friend of Mr. Hastings, |