Page:Memoirs of a Trait in the Character of George III.djvu/51

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

trial resumed—an interruption from an accident to William Harrison—the suavity and condescension he experiences from his Sovereign on that occasion—extract from a letter, written at the time—the trial recommences de novo—is extended from six weeks to ten, and the reason for it—his Majesty held that the trial directed by the 12th of Queen Anne, or some fair equivalent for it, could not be departed from without manifest injustice

1

CHAPTER XIV.
William Harrison waits on the Commissioners to report the trial—the Ring had authorized him to use his name and sanction for the statement—an examination of Mr. Kendal's Timekeeper was also successful—he prays them to grant a certificate—a mistaken persuasion would circulate—his Majesty's personal attention to the subject excites no deference in the Board: dissembled motives of Lord Sandwich and Dr. Maskelyne— personal animosity indulged under public pretexts—a copy should have been furnished to the British Museum—what passed could have happened in no other country—proceedings on the reading of the Memorial—a clencher for the Claimant's Patron—they overlook Mr. Kendal's Timekeeper—pervert their right to decide as Commissioners—they knew their answer would be reported at Buckingham House—how it might be interpreted—an allusion to certain puritanical writers—the good subjects of Richard Cromwell—how would Montesqieu have treated the question?—a novel Saturnalia—no dispassionate man would have withheld due praise from the Sovereign—he would have been blameless to Timon of Athens—a list of the Commissioners present at the Board, November 28th, 1772—the Mathematicians