ord of justice in his helpless victims. Directly Mr. Avory finished
he began to pronounce the following sentence on me, and while he spoke
there was deadly silence in that crowded court:--

"George William Foote, you have been found Guilty by the jury
of publishing these blasphemous libels. This trial has been
to me a very painful one. I regret extremely to find a person
of your undoubted intelligence, a man gifted by God with such
great ability, should have chosen to prostitute his talents to
the service of the Devil. I consider this paper totally different
from any of the works you have brought before me in every way,
and the sentence I now pass upon you is one of imprisonment for
twelve calendar months."

Twelve months! It was longer than I expected, but what matter? My
indifference, however, was not shared by the crowd. They rose, and as
the reporter said, "burst forth into a storm of hissing, groaning, and
derisive cries." "Damn Christianity!" I heard one shout, and "Scroggs"
and "Jeffries" were flung at the judge, who seemed at first to enjoy
the scene, although he grew alarmed as the tumult increased. "Clear the
gallery," he cried, and the police burst in among the people. But before
they did their work something happened. From the first I resolved, if
I were found guilty and sentenced to imprisonment, that I would say
something before leaving the dock. My first impulse was to hurl at the
judge a few words of passionate indignation. But I reflected "No! I
have been tried and condemned for ridiculing superstition. Sarcasm is
Blasphemy. Well then, let me sustain my character to the end. I will
leave with a stinging _Freethinker_ sentence on my lips." Raising my
hand, I obtained a moment's silence. Then I folded my arms and surveyed
the judge. Our eyes flashed mutual enmity for a few seconds, until
with a scornful smile and a mock bow I said, "_Thank you, my lord; the
sentence is worthy of your creed._"

That retort has frequently been cited. It was a happy inspiration, and
the more I ponder it the more profoundly I feel that it was exactly the
right thing to say.

The officers behind gave me a pressing invitation to descend the dock
stairs, and I complied. For a long time I waited in one of the little
dens I have already described, pacing up and down, revolving many
thoughts, and wondering what detained my companions. The fact is, the
police had a great deal of tr