Persecution is not refutation, nor even triumph: the "wretched infidel" as he is called, is probably happier in his prison than the proudest of his assailants—BYRON.
London: Progressive Publishing Company 28 Stonecutter Street, E.C. 1886
CONTENTS
PREFACE.
CHAPTER I. THE STORM BREWING
CHAPTER II. OUR FIRST SUMMONS
CHAPTER III. MR. BRADLAUGH INCLUDED
CHAPTER IV. OUR INDICTMENT
CHAPTER V. ANOTHER PROSECUTION
CHAPTER VI. PREPARING FOR TRIAL
CHAPTER VII. AT THE OLD BAILEY
CHAPTER VIII. NEWGATE
CHAPTER IX. THE SECOND TRIAL
CHAPTER X. "BLACK MARIA."
CHAPTER XI. HOLLOWAY GAOL
CHAPTER XII. PRISON LIFE
CHAPTER XIII. PARSON PLAFORD
CHAPTER XIV. THE THIRD TRIAL
CHAPTER XV. LOSS AND GAIN
CHAPTER XVI. A LONG NIGHT
CHAPTER XVII. DAYLIGHT
This little volume tells a strange and painful story; strange, because the experiences of a prisoner for blasphemy are only known to three living Englishmen; and painful, because their unmerited sufferings are a sad reflection on the boasted freedom of our age.
My own share in this misfortune is all I could pretend to describe with fidelity. Without (I hope) any meretricious display of fine writing, I have related the facts of my case, giving a precise account of my prosecutions, and as vivid a narrative as memory allows of my imprisonment in Holloway Gaol. I have striven throughout to be truthful and accurate, nothing extenuating, nor setting down aught in malice; and I have tried to hit the happy mean between negligence and prolixity. Whether or not I have succeeded in the second respect the reader must be the judge; and if he cannot be so in the former respect, he will at least be able to decide whether the writer means to be candid and bears the appearance of honesty.
One reason why I have striven to be exact is that my record may be of service to the future historian of our time. It is always rash to appeal t