town, aroused intense indignation in the breasts of the professional
guardians of religion and morality. They therefore cited Mr. Seymour
before the Justices of the Peace, and charged him with publishing
a blasphemous libel. He was committed for trial at the next assizes,
and in the meantime liberated on a hundred pounds bail. Acting
under advice, Mr. Seymour pleaded guilty, and was discharged on
finding sureties for his appearance when called up for judgment.
This grievous error was a distinct encouragement to the bigots.
Their appetite was whetted by this morsel, and they immediately
sought a full repast.

My own attitude was one of defiance. In the _Freethinker_ of May 14
I denounced the bigots as cowards for pouncing on a comparatively
obscure member of the Freethought party, and I challenged them to
attack its leaders before they assailed the rank and file. This
challenge was cited against me on my own trial, but I do not regret
it; and indeed I doubt if any man ever regretted that his sense of
duty triumphed over his sense of danger.





CHAPTER II.

OUR FIRST SUMMONS.


Some day in the first week of July (I fancy it was Thursday, the 6th,
but I cannot distinguish it with perfect precision, as some of