CHAPTER IV.

OUR INDICTMENT.


Our Indictment covered twenty-eight large folios, and contained
sixteen Counts. Of course we had to pay for a copy of it; for
although a criminal is supposed to enjoy the utmost fair play,
and according to legal theory is entitled to every advantage in
his defence, as a matter of fact, unless he is able to afford
the cost of a copy, he has no right to know the contents of his
Indictment until he stands in the dock to plead to it.

It was evidently drawn up by someone grossly ignorant of the Bible.
The Apocalypse was described as the "Book of Revelations," and the
Gadarean swine came out as Gadderean. Probably Sir Henry Tyler and
Sir Hardinge Giffard knew as much of the Scriptures they strove to
imprison us for disputing as the person who drew up our Indictment.
Mr. Cluer caused some amusement in the Court of Queen's Bench
when, in the gravest manner, he drew attention to these errors.
Lord Coleridge as gravely replied that he could not take judicial
cognisance of them. Whereupon Mr. Cluer quietly observed that he
was ready to produce the authorised version of the Bible in court
in a few minutes, as he had a copy in his chambers. This remark
elicited a smile from Lord Coleridge, a broad grin from the lawyers
in Court, and a titter from the crowd. It was perfectly understood
that a gentleman of the long robe might prosecute anybody for blasphemy