judices and
indifference overcome--public opinion converted. And to this great
work did Granville Sharpe, Wilberforce, Clarkson, and other noble
spirits devote their lives. Never was cause supported by greater
earnestness and activity. The organization of the society
comprehended all classes and religious denominations. Evidence was
collected from every source to lay bare the cruelties and
iniquities of the traffic. Illustration and argument were
inexhaustible. Men of feeling and sensibility appealed with deep
emotion to the religious feelings and benevolence of the people. If
extravagance and bad taste sometimes courted ridicule, the high
purpose, just sentiments, and eloquence of the leaders of the
movement won respect and admiration. Tracts found their way into
every house, pulpits and platforms resounded with the wrongs of the
negro; petitions were multiplied, ministers and Parliament moved to
inquiry and action.... Parliament was soon prevailed upon to
attempt the mitigation of the worst evils which had been brought to
light, and in little more than twenty years the slave trade was
utterly condemned and prohibited.'

And this magnificent result sprang from a Public Association. In this,
the most noble crusade that has ever been undertaken by man, the
newspapers bore a conspicuous part, and though, as might be expected,
they did not all take the same views, yet they rendered good service to
the glorious cause. But this tempting subject has carried us away into a
rather lengthy digression from our immediate topic. To return,
therefore:

In 1786 there was a memorable action for libel brought by Pitt against
_The Morning Herald_ and _The Morning Advertiser_, for accusing him of
having gambled in the public funds. He laid his damages at L10,000, but
only obtained a verdict for L250 in the first case, and L150 in the
second. In 1789 John Walter was sentenced to pay a fine of L50, to be
exposed in the pillory for an hour, and to be imprisoned for one year,
at the expiration of which he was ordered to find substantial bail for
his good behavior for seven years, for a libel upon the Duke of York. In
the following year he was again prosecuted and convicted for libels upon
the Prince of Wales, the Duke of York, and the Duke of Clarence, but,
after undergoing four months of his second term of one year's
imprisonment, he was set free, at