daring its utmost violence. He was also anxious to please those with
whom he had worked before his partial alliance with me, and who were not
prepared to sanction his continued connexion with the _Freethinker_ if
he wished to remain with them. For these reasons he retired from our
partnership, and I was at once registered as the sole proprietor of the
paper. This step naturally added to the danger of my situation, and
it was freely used against me at the trial. But I had no alternative,
unless the _Freethinker_ was to go down, and that I had resolved
to prevent at any cost. At the same time I engaged to take over Mr.
Ramsey's business at Stonecutter Street, and to recoup him for his heavy
investment; and I am bound to admit that he behaved generously in
all these arrangements. On February 11 the following editorial notice
appeared in my paper:

"With this number of the _Freethinker_ I assume a new position.
The full responsibility for everything in connexion with the
paper henceforth rests with me. I am editor, proprietor,
printer and publisher. My imprint will be put on every
publication issued from 28 Stonecutter Street, and all the
business done there will be transacted through me or my
representatives. This exposes me to fresh perils, but it
simplifies matters. Those who attack the _Freethinker_
after this week will have to attack me singly. I never meant
to give in, and never will so long as my strength serves for
the fight. Whoever else yields, I will submit to nothing but
physical compulsion. If the _Freethinker_ should ever cease
to appear, the Freethought party will know that the fault
is not mine. Certain parts of the mechanical process of
production are dependent on the firmness of others. One
man cannot do everything. But I pledge myself to keep
this Freethought flag flying at every hazard, and if I am
temporarily disabled I pledge myself to unfurl it again,
and if need be again, and again. _De l'audace, et encore
de l'audace, et toujours de l'audace._"

Mr. Wheeler stood loyally by me in this emergency. His efforts for
our common object were untiring, and never was his pen wielded more
brilliantly. Perhaps, indeed he overstrained his energies, and thus led
to the complete breakdown of his health soon after my imprisonment.

A few days later Sir Thomas Nelson, the City Solicitor, served a summon