Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Review Of The Life And Writings Of The Right Honourable Edmund Burke.
implies bad motives , or even erroneous judgment , in Mr . Burke o . r in the House of Commons , than the acquittal of a person arraigned of a crime would imply in the Attorney-General or in a Grand Jury . But though the enemies of Burke cannot prove that he was actuated by selfish considerations in this prosecution , his friends must allow that it took up the time and the attention of the Judicature much longer than was either necessary or useful . Those who are neither his
friends nor enemies must perceive that he indulged himself in an outrageous intemperance of invective against Mr . Hastings , which even manifest guilt would not have justified . Mr . Hastings was either innocent or guilty . If innocent , Burke ' s violent and scurrilous abuse was not merely unjust , but absurd , even if intentionally unjust ; because no court would judge of actions through the medium of virulent invectives and opprobious epithets . If he was guilty , his guilt miist either have appeared' by evidence , or not at all . Railing is no evidence . Although , therefore , there is no proof that censure ought
to attach to the crtt < sefrom which Burke commenced the prosecution , there is abundance of proof that very severe censure ought to attach to the manner in which he conducted it . His speeches were indeed rather the fanciful exhibitions of the most diabolical passions personified , operating in the most enormous villainy , than historical records of actual transactions and conduct . They display wonderful geniusbut a genius of which these effusions were fitter for a
the-, atre than a court of justice . The Regency next called forth the oratory of Burke . On that occasion he displayed the brilliancy of his genius , extent of his knowledge , and versatility of his powers , as much as he had ever done .. ' But the impetuosity of his temper , the irritability of his passions , and the extravagance of his fancytransported . him to expressions and
, conduct not only indecent and unfeeling , respecting the personage under the afflicting calamity , but obstructing the objects which bisparty , and he himself most of all , most ardently sought . Edmund Burke was the most eager of all who desired that the Prince should be regent ; Edmund Burke ' s violent and prolix speeches retarded the
execution of the plan until it was no longer necessary . We may allow a man , whose MEANS of pursuing ESDS , defeat their own purpose , the praise of extraordinary genius , extraordinary learning , and extraordinary eloquence ; but when the means counteract the ^ ends , we cannot allow him the praise of WISE CONDUCT . Superior to ali men of the time in the powers of informing , instructing , amusing , delighting , and affecting mankind by the faculties and
attainments of his understanding , Burke was inferior to many men , even of ordinary capacity , in that confirmation of habits and temper which qualify for managing aifairs . After the Regency , an event took p lace which called fo ' rth Burke ' s powers in a direction very different from any which they had been accustomed to take ; a direction in which they moved with accelerating rapidity to the end of his life . The reader will immediatly see thut we mean the French . Revolution . [ lO BE COSTlXliED . } .. .
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
A Review Of The Life And Writings Of The Right Honourable Edmund Burke.
implies bad motives , or even erroneous judgment , in Mr . Burke o . r in the House of Commons , than the acquittal of a person arraigned of a crime would imply in the Attorney-General or in a Grand Jury . But though the enemies of Burke cannot prove that he was actuated by selfish considerations in this prosecution , his friends must allow that it took up the time and the attention of the Judicature much longer than was either necessary or useful . Those who are neither his
friends nor enemies must perceive that he indulged himself in an outrageous intemperance of invective against Mr . Hastings , which even manifest guilt would not have justified . Mr . Hastings was either innocent or guilty . If innocent , Burke ' s violent and scurrilous abuse was not merely unjust , but absurd , even if intentionally unjust ; because no court would judge of actions through the medium of virulent invectives and opprobious epithets . If he was guilty , his guilt miist either have appeared' by evidence , or not at all . Railing is no evidence . Although , therefore , there is no proof that censure ought
to attach to the crtt < sefrom which Burke commenced the prosecution , there is abundance of proof that very severe censure ought to attach to the manner in which he conducted it . His speeches were indeed rather the fanciful exhibitions of the most diabolical passions personified , operating in the most enormous villainy , than historical records of actual transactions and conduct . They display wonderful geniusbut a genius of which these effusions were fitter for a
the-, atre than a court of justice . The Regency next called forth the oratory of Burke . On that occasion he displayed the brilliancy of his genius , extent of his knowledge , and versatility of his powers , as much as he had ever done .. ' But the impetuosity of his temper , the irritability of his passions , and the extravagance of his fancytransported . him to expressions and
, conduct not only indecent and unfeeling , respecting the personage under the afflicting calamity , but obstructing the objects which bisparty , and he himself most of all , most ardently sought . Edmund Burke was the most eager of all who desired that the Prince should be regent ; Edmund Burke ' s violent and prolix speeches retarded the
execution of the plan until it was no longer necessary . We may allow a man , whose MEANS of pursuing ESDS , defeat their own purpose , the praise of extraordinary genius , extraordinary learning , and extraordinary eloquence ; but when the means counteract the ^ ends , we cannot allow him the praise of WISE CONDUCT . Superior to ali men of the time in the powers of informing , instructing , amusing , delighting , and affecting mankind by the faculties and
attainments of his understanding , Burke was inferior to many men , even of ordinary capacity , in that confirmation of habits and temper which qualify for managing aifairs . After the Regency , an event took p lace which called fo ' rth Burke ' s powers in a direction very different from any which they had been accustomed to take ; a direction in which they moved with accelerating rapidity to the end of his life . The reader will immediatly see thut we mean the French . Revolution . [ lO BE COSTlXliED . } .. .