by Mr. Hastings, who greatly esteemed his talents and virtues. Sir John Shore (afterwards Lord Teignmouth) was also the much-valued friend of Mr. Hastings. Indeed, all the eminent gentlemen in civil or military life at Calcutta and Madras held the Governor-General in high estimation. But as no degree of merit and talents have ever escaped from having enemies in this world, he experienced the truth of these words of Solomon, "The eye of the covetous man is not satisfied with his portion, and the iniquity of the wicked drieth up his soul1."

Mr. Hastings underwent great mental labour; his ardent and anxious mind had hoped to obtain ease in England after incessant fatigue in India. He was not able to please all men; he was fully aware that calumny and slander existed every where; and no man, however elevated his rank, can expect to escape from slander and persecution.

They

When Mr. Hastings was leaving India, he anticipated an attack upon his conduct from those enemies whose wishes and views he could not gratify or approve of, during his government. of course had prepared to charge him with misconduct. He embarked for England in 1785. He had left India in prosperity and peace, his health required him to visit England; indeed, he resigned his government of India to come home and meet charges made against him and his government, by Mr. Francis and others. The King

Proverbs xxvii. 20.

(George the Third) had first appointed Mr. Hastings to be Governor-General of India in 1773, but his experience and knowledge of that Empire had been from his early life. He was a member of Council in 1763, when the Nabob, Mhir Jaffier Ali Cawn, had, by stratagem, killed suddenly forty-nine officers and gentlemen, when they were invited to supper, and had made peace with the Nabob and the Company. This treachery, and much knowledge of the absolute necessity of protection to the British army, subjected Mr. Hastings to great fatigue; early and late did he labour to serve his King and country. His health at length began to suffer from these incessant and anxious labours. He embarked for England, as he said, to get ease and repose, but expected to meet enemies there.

At sea, in 1785, he felt better, and wrote the following verses 2.

ON EASE.

Addressed to Sir John Shore, afterwards Lord Teignmouth. An imitation of Horace, Book II. Ode 16.

"For ease the harass'd seaman prays,

When equinoctial tempests raise

The Cape's surrounding wave.
While hanging o'er the reef he hears

The crashing mast, and sees or fears,

Beneath, a watery grave.

The Editor got these verses from Mr. Wedderburn, of St. Germains, near Edinburgh, the intimate friend of Governor Hastings.

For ease the slow Mahratta toils,
And hardy Seik erratic spoils,

While both their case forego.

For case, which gold can never buy,
Nor robes nor gems (which oft belie
The covered heart) bestow.

For neither wealth, nor titles join'd
Can heal the soul, or suffering mind.
Lo! where thine owner lies

Stretched on his couch, distemper breathes
And care, like smoke in turbid wreathes,
Round the gay cieling flies.

He who enjoys, nor covets more,
Than lands his father held before,
Is of true bliss possess'd.

Let but his mind unfetter'd tread

Still where the paths of knowledge lead,
He's wise as well as blest.

No fears his peace of mind annoy,
Lest printed lies his fame destroy,
Which labour'd years had won.
Nor pack'd Committees break his rest,
Nor avarice send him forth in quest
Of climes beneath the sun,

Short is our span: then why engage
In schemes for which man's transient age
Was ne'er by God designed?

Why slight the gifts of nature's hand?
What traveller from his native land
E'er left himself behind?

If restless thoughts and wayward will,
And discontent attend him still,

With lacs enrich'd, with honours crown'd,

His valour's well-earn'd meed:

Too long, alas! he liv'd-to hate
His envy'd lot, and died too late,
From life's oppression freed.

An early death was Elliot's doom 2 ;
I saw his opening virtues bloom,
And manly sense unfold;

Too soon to fade!-I bade the stone

Record his name 'midst hordes unknown,
Unknowing what is told.

To thee, dear Shore, the Fates may give-
I wish they may-in health to live,

Herds, flocks, and fruitful fields;
Thy vacant hours in mirth to shine,
With these the Muse (already thine)
Her present bounties yields.

1 Lord Clive died by suicide, after severe illness from nervous attacks.

2 Mr. Elliot was a brother of the late Lord Minto, who was afterwards Governor-General at Calcutta.

M

For me, O Shore! I only claim
To merit, not to seek for fame,

The good and just to please;

A state above the fear of want,
Domestic love, Heav'n's choicest grant!

Health, leisure, peace, and ease.

The Editor was in company with Governor and Mrs. Hastings at Edinburgh, 1791: he was very deaf, but had a noble countenance, mild, and tranquil, and remarkably indicative of wisdom and talent; yet his constitution seemed to suffer from delicate health: he was exceedingly polite, and appeared to be obliged by any one who informed him of what passed in conversation. Though afflicted with the infirmity of deafness, his eyes and countenance beamed with intelligence, and when he spoke his mind seemed serene and calm. The philosophers of Greece and Rome formerly laboured greatly to teach and attain this calm and cool state of the soul; but though they made great progress, and believed themselves to be the only wise men in the world, they fell far short of that gracious wisdom and mental strength from Heaven, communicated to mankind by the revealed religion of Christ. He only, by example and precept, taught that true wisdom by which the evil propensities and passions of man are regulated, and which is able to cheer and animate the human heart above all the wisdom that mere human reason ever could boast of. The Editor also saw Mr. Hastings at church; he seemed