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 be, “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!”

When the deep murmur of various emotions had subsided, Mr. Fox rose to address the Lords respecting the course of proceeding to be followed.  The wish of the accusers was that the Court would bring to a close the investigation of the first charge before the second was opened.  The wish of Hastings and of his counsel was that the managers should open all the charges, and produce all the evidence for the prosecution, before the defence began.  The Lords retired to their own House to consider the question.  The Chancellor took the side of Hastings.  Lord Loughborough, who was now in opposition, supported the demand of the managers.  The division showed which way the inclination of the tribunal leaned.  A majority of near three to one decided in favour of the course for which Hastings contended.

When the Court sat again, Mr. Fox, assisted by Mr. Grey, opened the charge respecting Cheyte Sing, and several days were spent in reading papers and hearing witnesses.  The next article was that relating to the Princesses of Oude.  The conduct of this part of the case was intrusted to Sheridan.  The curiosity of the public to hear him was unbounded.  His sparkling and highly finished declamation lasted two days; but the Hall was crowded to suffocation during the whole time.  It was said that fifty guineas had been paid for a single ticket.  Sheridan, when he concluded, contrived, with a knowledge of stage effect which his father might have envied, to sink back, as if exhausted, into the arms of Burke, who hugged him with the energy of generous admiration.

June was now far advanced.  The session could not last much longer; and the progress which had been made in the impeachment was not very satisfactory.  There were twenty charges.  On two only of these had even the case for the prosecution been heard; and it was now a year since Hastings had been admitted to bail.