in such questionable company. This young gentleman is the son of
Mr. Charles Watts and printer of the _Secular Review_, and he was
called to prove that I was the editor of the _Freethinker_. With
the most cheerful alacrity he positively affirmed that I was,
although he had absolutely no more _knowledge_ on the subject--
as indeed he admitted on cross-examination--than any other member
of the British public. His appearance in the witness-box is still
half a mystery to me and I can only ask, _Que le diable allait-il
faire dans cette galere?_

Ultimately the case was remanded till the following Monday, Mr. Maloney
intimating that he should apply for fresh summonses for other numbers
of the _Freethinker_, as well as a summons against Mr. Bradlaugh for
complicity in our crime.

Let me here pause to consider how these prosecutions for blasphemy
are initiated. Under the Newspaper Libels Act no prosecution for
libel can be commenced against the editor, publisher or proprietor
of any newspaper, without the written fiat of the Public Prosecutor.
This post is occupied by Sir John Maule, who enjoys a salary of
L2,000 a year, and has the assistance of a well-appointed office
in his strenuous labors. _Punch_ once pictured him fast asleep
before the fire, with a handkerchief over his face, while all sorts
of unprosecuted criminals plied their nefarious trades; and
Mr. Justice Hawkins (I think) has denounced him as a pretentious farce.
He is practically irresponsible, unlike the Attorney-General, who,
being a member of the Government, is amenable to public opinion.
Press laws, except in cases of personal libel, ought not to be neglected
or enforced at the discretion of such an official. Every interference
with freedom of speech, whenever it is deemed necessary, should be