some years has been one of Mr. Bradlaugh's chief helpers, is another
contributor to this disgraceful product of Atheism." In conclusion,
they were called upon to "devise means to stay this hideous prostitution
of the liberty of the Press, by making these shameless blasphemers
amenable to the existing law."

It is a curious thing that such a fervid champion of religion should
always attack unbelievers with private circulars. Yet this is the
policy that Henry Varley has always pursued. He is a religious bravo,
who lurks in the dark, and strikes at Freethinkers with a poisoned
dagger. More than once he has flooded Northampton with the foulest
libels on Mr. Bradlaugh, invariably issued without the printer's name,
in open violation of the law. He is liable for a fine of five pounds
for every copy circulated, but the action must be initiated by the
Attorney-General, and our Christian Government refuses to punish when
the offence is committed by one of their own creed, and the sufferer
is only an Atheist.

Varley's circular served its evil purpose, for soon after Parliament
assembled in February, Mr. C. K. Freshfield, member for Dover, asked
the Home Secretary whether the Government intended to prosecute the
_Freethinker_.

Sir William Harcourt gave the following reply:

"I am sorry to say my attention has been called to a paper
bearing the title of the _Freethinker_, published in Northampton,
and I agree that nothing can be more pernicious to the minds of
right-thinking people than publications of that description--
(cheers)--but I think it has been the view for a great many