the purpose of showing that the book of Genesis, to use Huxley's
expression, contains the beginning and the end of sound science.
It thus appears that a Christian magistrate may subscribe (or, which
is quite as pious and far more economical, induce others to subscribe)
for the confutation of heretics, and afterwards send them to gaol for
not being confuted. What a glorious commentary on the great truth
that England is a free country, and that Christianity relies entirely
on the force of persuasion! Fortunately, however, our case was not
tried at the Old Bailey. Mr. Bradlaugh obtained a writ of _certiorari_
removing the indictment to the Court of Queen's Bench, where our
case was put in the Crown List, and did not come on for hearing
until two months after I was imprisoned on another indictment.
Mr. Bradlaugh obtained the writ on July 29, 1882. It was during
the long vacation, and we had to appear before more than one judge
in chambers, Mr. Justice Stephen being the one who granted the writ.
I remember roaming the Law Courts with Mr. Bradlaugh that morning.
We went from office to office in the most perplexing manner.
Everything seemed designed to baffle suitors who conduct their
own cases. Obsolete technicalities, only half intelligible even
to experts, met one at every turn, and when I left the Law Courts
I felt that the thing was indeed done, but that it would almost puzzle
omniscience to do it again in exactly the same way. Over seven pounds
was spent in stamps, documents, and other items; and I was informed
that a solicitor's charges for the morning's work would have exceeded
thirty pounds. Securities for costs were required to the extent of
six hundred pounds, and of course they had to be given. Yet we were
merely seeking justice and a fair trial! As I walked home I pondered
the great truth that England is a free country, and that there is
one law for the rich and the poor; yet I reflected that as only the
rich could afford it, the poor might as well have no law at all.