Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1880 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER XII. (r)fte SarfjebtrelI Commotions. Continued!) PREPARATION OF WESTMINSTER HALL FOR THE TRIAL--PROCESSIONS--THE QUEEN'S INTEREST IN THE CASE--SYMPTOMS OF POPULAR RESTLESSNESS--THE DOCTOR'S STATE PROGRESSES--DESIGNS AGAINST DISSENTERS' MEETING-HOUSES--DR BURGESS--CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISSENTING CLERGY--THE WRECKING OF BURGESS'S CHURCH, AND OTHER MISCHIEF--CONCLUSION IN WESTMINSTER HALL--PARTING BLOW FROM THE COMMONS--BENJAMIN HOADLEY--BLACKALL--CALAMY--PAMPHLETEERING--SACHEVERELL's SCHOLARSHIPPERSONALITIES--SATURNALIA--THE POETIC ANTHOLOGY OF THE OCCASION--SACHEVERELL's CONSPICUOUS PLACE IN HISTORY AS UNCHAMPIONED. The present generation has seen nothing of the trial by impeachment, and has not enjoyed the opportunity of feeling the peculiar sensations of hearing, sometimes day after day, sometimes at long intervals, of the progress of the great cause. We have materials enough, however, to know that those who were so favoured could hand down traditions about ceremonies and formalities, august and protracted when compared and measured with common parliamentary proceedings or actions in the ordinary courts of law; and the trial of Sacheverell was august and protracted, even among impeachments. A special court for the trial was fitted up within Westminster Hall. It was scrupulously partitioned, so as to separate from each other all the component parts of what would otherwise have been a mixed assembly. The business was not all transacted in the great hall; for whenever a question of law, or any other question on which the Lords, as judges in the case, required to have a discussion or take legal advice, arose, they marched away in solemn procession, according to their several ranks, to their own House, and when the matter was...