McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader, Revised Edition · Lesson CVII · Part 11: Franklin, the sea, India and The Raven

113. Impeachment of Warren Hastings (T. B. Macaulay)

Goal: Your student can describe the grand scene of the trial and explain what an impeachment is.

⏱ About 40 minutes · 6 steps

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You'll need

  • The book, open to this lesson
  • A notebook and pen
  • A dictionary

What's in the book

Macaulay's description of the trial of Warren Hastings, governor of British India, in Westminster Hall. Notes explain Mrs. Siddons, Gibbon, Cicero, Tacitus, Reynolds and Parr.

The lesson, step by step

  1. Words and meanings

    Read the notes printed at the end of the lesson together before reading. The book explains, among others:

    Siddons: a famous English actress

    Gibbon: a celebrated English historian

    Reynolds: an English portrait-painter of note

    Parr: an English author

    Impeachment means bringing a high official to trial for wrongdoing in office.

    Ask your student to find two other hard words in the lesson, guess their meaning from the sentence, then check a dictionary.

  2. About the author

    The book says Macaulay (1800–1859) was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, and became a lawyer in 1826. He wrote for the Edinburgh Review for about twenty years, was elected to Parliament in 1830, and was made Baron Macaulay in 1857. His style is known for vigor, speed and brilliance.

  3. Read aloud

    Read it as if describing a great parade. Your student lists the famous people Macaulay says were there.

  4. Talk about it

    SayWhere was the trial held? What does Macaulay say about the place and its history?

    SayWho was in the audience? Why does he name so many famous people?

    SayWho was Warren Hastings, and what was he accused of?

    SayDoes Macaulay make you feel the trial was important? How?

  5. Narration

    Your student describes the scene in Westminster Hall as a newspaper report.

  6. Writing (optional)

    Describe a big public event you have seen (a wedding, a game, a parade) in Macaulay's grand style.

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