exceedingly well disposed toward Mr. Cobbett, and who has been subsequently the subject of Mr. Cobbett's eulogy; and he, on reading, exclaimed:-this assuredly is Cobbett-print this by all means. It has been the impression of many other friends, as well as mine; and but for that impression, no piece signed James Hall would have appeared in " The Republican." By the gentleman who left those pieces at the shop, I have been assured, since my return to London, that Mr. Cobbett knew nothing of them; and, on that assurance, I ask Mr. Cobbett's pardon; and make the due apology, for having erroneously attributed them to him.

Of the purport of James Hall's pieces, it is difficult to speak at this time; but, for my part, I suspected every thing but friendship. I suspected trick, and inserted those which were inserted, with a cantious view of drawing it forth, and exposing it. R. C.

TO THE READERS OF "THE REPUBLICAN."

It was my wish to have worked up all pieces of correspondence that were a little stale with the last Number of the 12th Volume; but the length of Mr. Beard's letter excluded two or three pieces that will be found in this Number. I had gone so far in the assurance of working them up, as to introduce them into the notice of the contents of that Number, and found that I could not, too late to alter that notice. The Subscriber to the last Volume is requested to put his pen through the pieces in the notice of contents which are not found in the Number.

In commencing the 13th Volume, I am happy to announce the increased sale which has been worked through the 12th. In London, we have nearly doubled the sale, and in many parts of the country it is improved, in many newly introduced. I flatter myself with the hope of being able to make a visible improvement in the succeeding Numbers of this Volume. I am just beginning to feel myself out of the Gaol, and to possess that composure and convenience, as to arrangements for business, which are essential to the well conducting of a periodical work, and which I have wanted during the few weeks that I have been in London.

My correspondence with the Solicitor and Secretary of the Vice Society forms a new feature in my case. The history of the matter is this:-Scarcely a day elapses but some Jew or Christian enters my shop to request the removal of the God from the window. Some of them come and ask it mildly, and some outrageously, expressing their love for their enemies, by challenges to fight the person in the shop, on the behalf of their Deity, which is the general exemplification of that Christian precept. Yesterday, the 4th inst. a gentleman entered more mildly than the general oppo

nents upon the subject, and asked to speak with some one about it who had authority to remove it. I happened to be in the wareroom, and invited the gentleman backward. A print was sent for, and the subject canvassed upon its general merits. The gentleman confessed, that he came angrily, that he was much softened, but would gladly buy up the impressions of the print, if that would remove the exhibition from the window. I assured him that money would not do it, and that its continued and more attractive exhibition was caused by the menaces of the Vice Society to prosecute it that it would not be exhibited in a better shop, if no prosecutions were instituted against it, and that even now, if the managing members of the Vice Society would say that they had no intention of proceeding against it, and observe the same conduct towards us with regard to our general publications, it should be withdrawn. On hearing this, the gentleman, as yet an entire stranger to me, felt so far interested, as to say, that he would call at the office of the Vice Society and ascertain the disposition of the committee upon it. After an absence of three or four hours, he returned and brought me Mr. Prichard's letter, and seemed to express a satisfaction at having accomplished his object. On reading the letter, I assured him, that he was farther off than ever; for so long as the alternative of a prosecution was menaced, the print should not be removed. On promising that I would write and explain the matter to Mr. Prichard, he left with apparent satisfaction, taking with him some of my publications for examination, of which the print of the God was one. Thus commenced my first correspondence with the members of the Vice Society. I wish it to be understood, that, in corresponding with them, I by no means admit their right to institute prosecutions against me, or that they have any law so to do; but I have ever been anxious to come into private discussion with my persecutors, and I did not like to throw aside the opportunity that was offered. As far as the question of prosecution or no prosecution was affected, my duty was to have treated the Vice Society with contempt; but if I could have obtained the admission, that no farther prosecutions were contemplated, I would have made arrangements in the business that should have evinced a conciliating disposition on my part, and which should have shewn, that, the right of free discussion on all subjects once admitted, I would add nothing to the provocatives which have been in some measure kept up since the persecution began.

I told the gentleman in question, that I had not the slightest reason for retreating, with regard to the Vice Society, from any position that I had taken against them, and that I would not give up a single position, nor desist from taking others, so long as that Society stood in hostile attitude towards me. This is my resolve. Still I wish to obtain the acknowledgment that no further prosecutions are intended; and, obtaining this, I wish to see

Hassell, Perry, Clarke, and Campion liberated from Newgate. It is monstrous to keep those men confined, if I am to be at large. To this end, I am about to write a civil letter to Mr. Peel.

A few weeks will decide the question, as to whether further prosecutions are intended. I have no fear of them; but I certainly prefer liberty to Dorchester Gaol, with such a ruffianly Gaoler as Andrews.

I wished to have made some further answer to Mr. Turton's Letter on Necessity or Fatalism; but I have wanted the necessary composure of mind, from the time of my first getting it. It shall form a feature in the future discussions in "The Republican;" and though the subject is rather dull, I shall be glad of some well written article upon it, for and against, from correspondents.

The volume containing the trials of all the persons who have been prosecuted for assisting me in London is now on sale at the price of 12s. in bds. Mr. Clarke has also completed a volume of his letters, which is selling in bds. at 5s. 6d.

The 12th volume of "The Republican," which contains the most complete exposure of Freemasonry that has been yet made, is on sale at the price of 13s. 6d. in bds. For the satisfaction of the Masonic world, I can say, that the demand for it is still great.

In a few days we shall have a new edition with additions and alterations of No. 18, vol. 11, on the question of- What is love? This Number has had an extensive sale, and is still in great demand.

The Koran is nearly finished, and when finished we shall proceed rapidly with books for the Joint Stock Book Company. This work ought to have been finished with the end of last year; but I could not get it accomplished.

Hammond's Letter to Dr. Priestley will speedily be published.

SHEFFIELD SUBSCRIPTION.

Mr. Ellison's was entered at one

thanks for a penknife from Mr. Ellison.

shilling short.

Mt. T. R. Perry, of Newgate, acknowledges the receipt of, and returns

"CHRIST IS THE DEVIL!"

I WANTED a subject for a page, and while walking through Hatton Garden, musing on what to write, a poor religious maniac put her face close to mine and exclaimed, "CHRIST IS THE DEVIL!" Here is a subject! Christ is indeed a Devil to all those who distract themselves about that ridiculous word. Poor woman, I ejaculated, Christ has been a Devil to you! the word has deprived you of that mental health which is the basis of human happiness. You have been thinking and hearing preachings about Christ until your mental action is corrupted. Christ has been a Devil to you: the word has destroyed your reason, has made you a maniac. Is not religion a vice, when it produces effects like these? And is this a solitary instance? No. There are millions of such men and women on the face of the earth. Religion is the parent of insanity; there is no sanity connected with it; no religious man or woman can be said to be mentally sane. And do I despise you? No, I pity you. I would cure yon. I would make you happy. Religion is a vice; it is all founded on error; it applies to nothing in existence; it makes you idiots; it prevents you from gaining useful knowledge. The gentleman who brought me the letter from the Vice Society was so weak as to say that he was not willing to be convinced of religious error; and on my assuring him, that, by a few hours' conversation, I could bring him to my opinions of men and things, he exclaimed, "I hope not, I had rather shrink from the examination than become your convert!" How miserably low is this disposition!

R. C.

Printed and Published by R. CARLILE, 135, Fleet Street.-All Correspordences for The Republican," to be left at the place of publication.

No. 2, VOL. 13.] LONDON, Friday, Jan. 13, 1826. [PRICE 6d.

THOMAS PAINE.

As the anniversary of the birth of this truly great man, this, the greatest of all men who have yet lived, is about to be celebrated in a manner equal to the best celebrations of the kind in this country, it may be useful to make a few repetitions as to what be did for mankind in general, and for his respective countries in particular; for Paine had more than one country. The time has arrived, when but few are ignorant and fool-hardy enough to calumniate the name of Thomas Paine, or to grin, idiot-like, at the pretensions of his disciples. He made himself great by writing upon principles which time would support, and which will eventually force themselves upon the admiration of all mankind. The continents of America pay homage at his shrine, and Europe envies them. The present state of the finance and funding system of England proclaims his foresight and wisdom, and the dupes of the clamour about "Church, State, and Constitution." mourn in bitter lamentations, their rejection of his precepts. Thomas Paine is now sought, not spurned. Church and State are spurned and not sought; supported by none but they who thrive by their unjust exactions. Persecution has defeated itself, in gnawing bare its own bosom. Opposition to persecution exhibits its bold front, and maintains successfully its ever sure 'vantage ground. In vain are new persecutions menaced; Paine shines the brightest of all the political constellations, and shines the more as he is the more assaulted! Remove his writings from this country! Remove the country to some other continent! Bid it cease to be an Island! Change its language; its climate; do any thing impossible to be done: before you harbour an idea that the politi cal precepts of Thomas Paine can be removed from the minds of the people of this country: precepts indelibly impressed by persecution, and made luminous by the folly, the ignorance, and the wickedness of existing legislators.

Thomas Paine taught mankind, that they were best qualified to govern themselves, by the periodical delegation of authority from the mass to individuals, and that Kings and Priests, Nobles and Corporations, were pernicious to their welfare. See how beautifully his doctrine is illustrated by that which is taught from Kings and Priests, Nobles and Corporations, to their subjects.

Printed and Published by R. Carlile, 185, Fleet Street.