without one of his charming performances in his hand, the omission was felt by all as a grievous disappointment.  Tastes differ widely.  For ourselves, we must say that, however good the breakfasts at Daylesford may have been,—­and we are assured that the tea was of the most aromatic flavour, and that neither tongue nor venison-pasty was wanting,—­we should have thought the reckoning high if we had been forced to earn our repast by listening every day to a new madrigal or sonnet composed by our host.  We are glad, however, that Mr. Gleig has preserved this little feature of character, though we think it by no means a beauty.  It is good to be often reminded of the inconsistency of human nature, and to learn to look without wonder or disgust on the weaknesses which are found in the strongest minds.  Dionysius in old times, Frederic in the last century, with capacity and vigour equal to the conduct of the greatest affairs, united all the little vanities and affectations of provincial bluestockings.  These great examples may console the admirers of Hastings for the affliction of seeing him reduced to the level of the Hayleys and Sewards.

When Hastings had passed many years in retirement, and had long outlived the common age of men, he again became for a short time an object of general attention.  In 1813 the charter of the East India Company was renewed; and much discussion about Indian affairs took place in Parliament.  It was determined to examine witnesses at the bar of the Commons; and Hastings was ordered to attend.  He had appeared at that bar once before.  It was when he read his answer to the charges which Burke had laid on the table.  Since that time twenty-seven years had elapsed; public feeling had undergone a complete change; the nation had now forgotten his faults, and remembered only his services.  The reappearance, too, of a man who had been among the most distinguished of a generation that had passed away, who now belonged to history, and who seemed to have risen from the dead, could not but produce a solemn and pathetic effect.  The Commons received him with acclamations, ordered a chair to be set for him, and, when he retired, rose and uncovered.  There were, indeed, a few who did not sympathise with the general feeling.  One or two of the managers of the impeachment were present.  They sate in the same seats which they had occupied when they had been thanked for the services which they had rendered in Westminster Hall:  for, by the courtesy of the House, a member who has been thanked in his place is considered as having a right always to occupy that place.  These gentlemen were not disposed to admit that they had employed several of the best years of their lives in persecuting an innocent man.  They accordingly kept their seats, and pulled their hats over their brows; but the exceptions only made the prevailing enthusiasm more remarkable.  The Lords received the old man with similar tokens of respect.  The University of Oxford conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Laws; and, in the Sheldonian Theatre, the undergraduates welcomed him with tumultuous cheering.