Museum. Those illustrations
have not been declared blasphemous, for when the Indictment I have been
explaining was tried before Lord Coleridge, the jury, after several
hours' deliberation, could not agree to a verdict of Guilty.

The Indictment on which I was found guilty, and sentenced to twelve
months' imprisonment, was a later one. It was based on the Christmas
Number, 1882, to which I previously referred. Let me now give a brief
history of my second prosecution.

CHAPTER V. ANOTHER PROSECUTION.

In the month of November (1882) I announced my intention to bring out
a new monthly magazine entitled _Progress_. Several friends thought it
impolitic to launch my new venture in such troubled waters, and advised
me to wait for the issue of the prosecution. But I resolved to act
exactly as though the prosecution had never been initiated. It seemed to
me the wisest course to go on with my work until I was stopped, and risk
the consequences whatever they might be. The result has proved that I
was right; but I do not wish to boast of my judgment, for when I was
imprisoned all my interests were fearfully imperilled, and everything
depended on the loyal exertions of a few staunch Freethinkers (of whom
more anon) who stepped into the breach and defended them with great
courage and ability until I was able to resume my post. _Progress_
made its due appearance in January, 1883, and, notwithstanding the
extraordinary vicissitudes of its career, it has flourished ever since
without any solution of continuity.

While I was advertising _Progress_ I was also preparing the second
Christmas Number of the _Freethinker_. The announcement of its contents
caused a great deal of excitement, and I am prepared to admit that it
was, to use a common phrase, the "warmest" publication ever issued. It
was full from cover to cover of what the orthodox call blasphemy, and it
was speedily described by the Christian press as more "outrageous" than
any of the ordinary numbers for which we were already prosecuted.
The description was perfectly correct. I had concluded that my wisest
policy, as it was certainly the most courageous, was to disregard the
Blasphemy Laws and defy the bigots; to show that Freethought was not
to be cowed or intimidated by threats of imprisonment. Facing the enemy
boldly appeared to me better than running away; a course in which I
could see neither glory, honor, nor profit. Even if I had consulted my
safety above all