unable to tolerate in thought."

I concluded by saying--"We shall introduce the subsequent numbers to the
attention of our readers, and, if possible, we shall reproduce in the
_Freethinker_ some of the raciest plates. We shall be greeted with
shrieks of pious wrath if we do so, but we are not easily frightened."

There was really more than editorial fashion in this "we," for at
that time Mr. Ramsey was half proprietor of the _Freethinker_, and his
consent had of course to be obtained before I could undertake such a
dangerous enterprise. I gladly avow that he showed no hesitation; on
the contrary, he heartily fell in with the project. He frankly left the
editorial conduct of our paper in my hands, despised the accusation
of Blasphemy, and defied its law. His half-proprietorship of the
_Freethinker_ has terminated, but we still work together in our several
ways for the cause of Freethought. Mr. Ramsey went with me into the
furnace of persecution, and he bore his sufferings with manly fortitude.

The _Freethinker_ steadily progressed in circulation, and in January,
1882, I was able to secure the services of my old friend, Joseph Mazzini
Wheeler, as sub-editor. He had for long years contributed gratuitously
to my literary ventures, and those who ever turn over a file of the
_Secularist_ or the _Liberal_ will see with what activity he wielded his
trenchant pen. When he became my paid sub-editor, our relations remained
unchanged. We worked as loyal colleagues for a cause we both loved, and
treated as a mere accident the fact of my being his principal. The same
feeling animates us still, nor do I think it can ever suffer alteration.

The new year's number, dated January 1, 1882, referred to Mr. Wheeler's
accession, and to that of Dr. Edward Aveling, who then became a
member of the regular staff. It also referred to the policy of the
_Freethinker_, and to another subject of the gravest interest--namely,
the threats of prosecution which had appeared in several Christian
journals. As "pieces of justification," to use a French phrase, I quote
these two passages:

"Our ill-wishers (what journal has none?) have been of two kinds.
In the first place, the Christians, disgusted with our "blasphemy,"
predicted a speedy failure. The wish was father to the thought.
These latter-day prophets were just as false as their predecessors.
Now that they witness our indisputable success, they shake their
heads, l