it deren me. Van Amburgh of public opinion knows how to tame them. I understand a friend brought me Voltaire's Philosophical Dictionary," which was immediately sent back. Should I not have cut finer capers than Crusoe's poor Friday did, to have laid my hands on those blessed books, to while away the dull hours. I have had two interviews with Samuel Jones, Esq. He was very civil to me, and said he would be kind to me, but his kindness promises chiefly to be religious kindness, which is the worst kindness of all, and after the samples I have had I dread any more. However, as he is a father, and I really believe he means no harm, I have hope. My business with him was about my papers. He returned me a few pencil notes upon my examination, and some papers of a private kind, and said he did not deem the others necessary for my defence. [Doubtless he required them for my friend's assassination, as will be seen by his reply. Practical christianity!-W.C.] I reminded him that as men judge from the outward appearance, while some one else, Isaiah says, looks upon the heart, so he might think they were not needful for me, but no one knew my case or my thoughts but myself. That there would be brought against me legal acumen, power, bigotry, theological learning, law, and what not, and in justice I should be allowed possession of my own thoughts. Had I stolen any man's property, and his officers had found upon me I would make no request, utter no word of complaint; but my papers were my own thoughts, my own property, and no man had any right to them. He said, my papers, if taken into court, would conI added, I expected no other fate-that never but one charged with my crime, guilty or not guilty, ever escaped; that the righteous hold their victims very fast; that the law in my case was unwritten, and the punishment optional, and that my character was of more consequence to me than my liberty. That all I asked was a fair chance of meeting my accusers, that the press was blasting my moral reputation, that I should defend myself, as I could not bear the idea that money should be spent for me in law, while I had a wife and children who might be left to experience the bitter scorn of the world, or the blighting of Christian charity. Still the old man was inexorable, and would give nothing up. [Israel's god, whose mercy endureth for ever, had specially hardened his heart. Holyoake ought to have known the folly of asking for justice of a Christian, on account of his wife and family; does not the great bashaw "visit the sins of the father even unto the third and fourth generation ?"-W.C.] With regard to what is necessary to my defence, he proved his self a tolerably good judge, for he kept just everything I wanted. Law and gospel, rather than humanity, appear to me his polar stars. ever, I bowed in silence, thinking that the ways of justice like those of the almighty, were past finding out. I do not expect to die here just yet. Every murning I have prayers, gruel, and bread-which make the word of life, the staff of life, and the water not being forgotten in the gruel, life itself. So far I am safe, but I can with all humility assure you, that my love of god does not grow by what it feeds on. During the day, now, I have an open yard to walk in, and so don't suffer for want of air. And during meals I have seven companions. I am locked up in a cell every night, at a quarter past seven. My How companions are the drollest sticks god ever let live. No fear of my imparting anything to them of conse quence. I do not think they have twenty-one ideas among them. They would puzzle Helvetius and his theory of education. Euclid would never have written his elements had he been born here. But they are simple men, there is not a bad man among them. So I do not dwell among pollution and crime, as I expected I should. I have had a warm letter from my friend G. Julien Cameron Harney. His name is enough to frighten a host, and what is better, he is one of those rare fellows who, when his name does not answer the purpose, soon looks out for what will. Watts, of Manchester, has written to me, what think ye of the following extract? "Would to god the priests would hold a meeting and debate the sacrifice necessary to know how much, or how many lives, they require, so that we might walk forth to the slaughter. If we could at once pay the price of liberty, I am sure the men are ready and willing. I am sure patriotism is not dead, and the liberty of the world from the yoke of the priests is worth a struggle. Ay, their own liberty from their own miserable condition is worth a struggle, for the glutton never enjoys good health; and the lovers of human blood, however much they may gloat over their victims, can scarcely have peaceful minds." I can tell you an anecdote, though not a very good hand at it. When in Cheltenham two years ago, hearing what a firebrand and bigot Close was, I went to hear him preach, taking care to select a cold morning, that I might relish his hell-fire the better. Finding the church full of gentility, I suspected that, like the prudent dean celebrated by Pope, "He never mentioned hell to ears polite;" but observing an unusual sprinkling of the fair sex right and left of him, I inquired of a young lady in the porch the reason, who archly said it was owing to the rev. gent.'s ears being more admired than his gospel. I heard this many times after in Cheltenham. I only mention it because it struck me there might be many items in the attractions of true religion not dreamt of in my philosophy. I have had an interview with the clergyman here, who spoke with much kindness to me; I observed none of that hellish venom about him I have remarked upon in others. He said he supposed I should not like to read anything on his side the question? I answered, that I should most gladly read everything I had notread, and that I should deem myself quite incompetent to speak upon any question, of which I was familiar with only one side. He spoke to me as though I had human feelings, a rare thing for a priest. The class I am in is called the fines' class, nobody very dreadful is placed here-ergo, I am like the lion, not so fierce as the papers have pictured me. Some of them work during the day, and are rewarded with mint tea, &c. When they came in and found me here, one said, "What are you come for? We always tells one another." "O, blasphemy," I replied. "What's that?" said one. "Arn't ye religious?" said another. I gave them clear answers, but mark the result on these unsophisticated rustics; seeing my first loaf there unbroken, and that I could not eat, "Here," said four or five at once, " will have some of this tea, zur." It was the nicest thing they had, and so offered it to soothe and cheer me. What a contrast was this behaviour with the treat ye I conclude, as I expect to see Mr. Lear froin Cheltenham. Alexander Campbell has called upon me. He looks better than usual. A meeting was to be held in the Clarence Gallery last night; he would be there I think, from his looks, to lay on the saints. Yours, demonstrably as Euclid, G. J. H. Gloucester Gaol, June 8, 1842. MY DEAR HARNEY.-Your letter was handed to ine this morning; it is the first I have received; it came like a beam of the sun on chaos. For all your kindness and offers, take a million of thanks, the only things I am now rich in. I brought manuscripts for my defence here, on the good faith of my gaolers in Cheltenham, which are all in the hands of the magistrates. They were seized as soon as I was here. Your aid will be a giant to me, in mak ing all facts known to the public; and "we gentlemen of the press" are not to be burked and no one write our epitaph. Of one thing you may rest sure, they will never convert me in a gaol. I must say the Chartists of Cheltenham behaved like heroes to me, and I will some day return their kindness. They hold the Mechanic's Institution, where my lecture was delivered, and although they were threatened with the loss of it if they permitted any of my friends to join them, even individually they nobly refused hold it on such terms, and gave me again th it, and in it I gave persecuting christia. lusty knocks, and in it the same night I hended between eleven and twelve, the n ecrating to a man. I am told Englishmen are lowed a fair trial; grant me but that, and all will right. Yours, very truly, G. J. H. P.S. The worst part of the affair was, I was returning home, weary with a long journey, to my family, when I was apprehended. I do not care for myself; when Mrs. H. and my little girls are provided for, I can bow to the fates. A man cannot be honest in these days, Julian, without paying dearly for it. G. J. H. FROM A CORRESPONDENT.-Considering that Mr. SOUTHWELL is suffering imprisoument principally from the style of his writing, I am induced to send you the following extract from Lockhart's "Life of Scott," vol. 4, Paris ed. Speaking of Calais, he says, "Lost, as all know, by the bloody papist bitch (one must be vernacular when on French ground), Queen Mary, of red hot memory. I would rather she had burned a score more of bishops, if she had kept it. Her sister Bess would sooner have parted with her virginity." The above is verbatim. With best wishes for Mr. S. and all concerned, I remain, &c. C. DENT. THE MORALITY OF BELIEF.-Some time ago, a man who had led a rather loose kind of life, and was a notorious swearer, and consequently very passionate, happening in the nature of things to be drawing to a close (being old), the clergyman of the place thought proper to attend him, thinking that now, per ha haps, when life was near an ebb, he might be made to think of eternity. So after the usual apologies, he put the question, "Was he afraid to meet his god ?" "I am not affeard to meet him, but it is the other bI'm affeard of!" T. P. NOTICE.-Copies of this work sent by post to any parts where they cannot be otherwise ob. taimed, at the rate of THREE for FOURPENCE. Post-office stamps for one month or three, with directions, addressed to E. N., 26, Upper Windsorstreet, Ashted, Birmingham, will receive attention. NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. W. CUPPEY, Liverpool, in speaking of Mr. Mackintosh's New God, says, "I have heard him declare that there was no god, and he who attempted to bring into society the mention of the existence of such a being, was deserving of the greatest punishment that society could inflict upon him." " W. B., LEEDS. The least a person can do, when asking a question, is to pay the postage. The editors of liberal works are seldom overburdened with cash.-Most probably yes, not certain. W. C. P. M. is informed that it is in contemplation to issue a PORTRAIT of Mr. Southwell, to be bound ap with the first volume of the Oracle. was SUBSCRIPTIONS. ORACLE OF REASON Or, Philosophy Vindicated. (EDINBURGH) دی FAITH'S EMPIRE IS THE WORLD; ITS MONARCH, GOD; ITS MINISTERS, THE PRIESTS; No. 28.1 CULAR UNION EDITED FOR CHARLES SOUTHWELL, DURING HIS IMPRISONMENT, CIRCULAR OF THE ANTI-PROSECUTION UNION. TO THE FRIENDS OF FREE DISCUSSION. IN accordance with resolutions passed at various [PRICE ID. BRIEF REMARKS ON THE PRO- "The only fruit I have received from my philosophy is to speak plainly to all the world, and to tell freely my thoughts of things."-ARISTIPPUS. So have I learned of socialism, but whether I shall be permitted to practice so useful a lesson and pursue so simple a course, religion will shortly answer. I know it savours more of the simplicity of youth than experience of the world, but I could wish that truthfulness and life may terminate together. It has long been clear to me that in any course of rectitude the misapprehension of friends is a far heavier penalty than the fiercest opposition of enemies. So at the present time I find it. The Committee are now prepared to issue the Sub-fiThe general objection to my recent conbeription Sheets and Collecting Books for regular peri- preaci Cheltenham is thus expressed: "We odical subscriptions. pression of opinion, guaranteeing support to the victims of the Blasphemy Laws, and sanctioning the formation of a Permanent Union to carry these views into effect; the Committee of the “ ANTI-PROSECUTION UNION" have matured their plan, for the tarrying out of which they look forward to your steady and earnest co-operation. REPORT OF PROGRESS. might the injustice exercised for your de, but think you might have avoided was no occasion for what you did, u might have expressed the same thing in hother manner." This is in fact an apology for my oppressors, and a reproof for me. Now if I could have avoided the course I took, I ought not to have done as I did, and I, in reality, provoked the treatment I received; and if I rashly or wantonly brought it upon me I deserved it, forfeited all claim to sympathy, and those who have undertaken my correction, though they may have aportioned an excess of punishment for my offence, yet are they not wholly to be blamed. But this objection is grossly defective and unreasonable, for if they had no moral right to interfere with me (which is conceded), I had done no moral wrong, nor given any legitimate That A public meeting of the Friends of Civil and Religious Liberty, and to unlimited Freedom of Ex-excuse of offence, and hence the charge of pression, took place on Tuesday evening, June 21, rashness or wantonness in the use of language in the Hall of Science, Lawrence-street, Birmingham, can have no meaning in such a case. which had been kindly granted for the occasion by I outraged no feelings or prejudices is plain the proprietors. The rain descended in torrents just from the circumstance that my remarks, ^aebefore the taking of the chair, but, notwithstanding, the hall was filled with the most orderly and intelli-cording to all reports, were received with gegent of the working-classes. The meeting was ad- neral applause; therefore, as far as the meetdressed by Mr. Holyoake, and Messrs. Hulse, Ma- ing was concerned, no inducement was preson, Mackintosh, Soar, and White, and various resented for me to take a different course to the solutions and petitions adopted. A meeting was held the same evening at the So-one taken. But then, "I forget that bigots cial Institution, John-street, Tottenham court road, out of doors could construe or construct a case London, with like beneficial results. Mr. Blumenfeld, the talented author of the "New Ecce Homo," of blasphemy from my words, and therefore I delivered an excellent speech upon the occasion. should have used others-I might easily have avoided all that has happened." Yes, I might have avoided it just as a man can avoid doing his duty as a citizen or teacher, whenever some danger threatens or some convenience allures. But can he avoid it honourably? I felt that I could not honourably do otherwise than I did, which I think will appear from the following statement: My lecture on Home Colonization was over, and I was folding my papers to depart, when the man Maitland put the question to me-"Why do you not introduce churches" and chapels into community? You tell as of our duty to men; why not of our duty to god?" The stupid fanaticism of the question excited in my mind no little contempt; but having no reason to feel certain of the man's insincerity, I answered him candidly and honestly. Some think I should have given no reply, but that would have subjected me to the suspicion that I was opposed to religion on insufficient ground, and could not tell why I objected to it; or, that I held notions I had not the courage to avow. So I had to choose whether I would be estimated as an ignorant pretender or a cowardly sceptic, and, at the very least, as an uncourteous teacher, who would not answer a public question put to me. its foundation, and did honour to morality which christianity boasted to nurture and conserve, and the meeting answered in the affirmative. Had I done differently, how the saints would have gloried! Passing through Bristol about that time I found every window with a print of Mr. Brindley, representing him in the act of burning one of Mr. Owen's books at a public discussion. I half felt I would rather he had burned me. Perhaps the preceding will satisfy those who think I ran into it." I could no more help the question being put to me than prevent Cleopatra being born; and when asked, my duty was to speak conscientiously in reply. I had spoken in praise of truth, justice, and freedom of thought and expression; without which latter, freedom of thought is a mockery, and I could not vapour about them to others and not practice them myself. Hav. ing eulogised truth, who could do less than speak it ? Having contended for justice, what a mockery it would have been to have departed from it, as I must have done in giv. ing a deceptive answer to the meeting! And having commended sincerity to others, how would equivocation have condemned me? Some regret I should have thrown myself away on such a trifle. I cannot understand this. It is said I am sacrificed for a trifle, and that christianity will be eternally dis graced thereby-the truth will be told. It was assuredly no doing of mine. Not the slightest notion that my language could be construed into blasphemy, and until the Rev. Francis Close's Chronicle reached me in Bristol did not dream my language could be styled objectionable. In my lecture the witnesses swore I introduced no question of religion, and in my reply I attacked no man's faith, and thought of nothing but simply sta ting my convictions, and certainly neither intended breaking the law nor offending the It may be thought I should have given no answer at all to Maitland, and have said, as a member of the Rational Society I had no opinion upon the subject; but I could not lay a society, to which I had the honour to belong, open to imputations from which I shrunk as an individual. So, as to whether I should or should not answer the question I did not hesitate a moment, on these grounds; and as an individual, it is my custom to answer all questions to the best of my judgment and ability; therefore, custom and duty coincided in the decision. This being clear, the kind of answer to be given, whether a true or a false one, never presented a doubt; having a dis-rost fastidious taste." like to lying, I answered frankly, just as I felt and believed, without one particle of reservation. It is true, hypocrisy might have served my turn instead. I might have shuffled and equivocated; I might have given a mean-anything answer; have professed a respect where I felt a contempt, and pretended regard while entertaining the strongest dislike; but I should have thrown myself open to contempt and distrust; I should have been despised by even Maitland, and what I think much more of, I should have despised myself, and, in my opinion, brought public disgrace on the cause I advocated, which, if such conduct was needed to support it, I would never stand up in its defence again. I put it to the meeting whether a course thus candid was not also more honourable than any other to christianity, inasmuch, as it appealed to truth which christianity vaunted as Another class of objectors think it a pity I should incur the risk of being immured in a distant gaol, far from home, &c. I have shown that I did not cause it. But if it means I should not have spoken my mind in such a place, I scarcely understand that virtue which varies with the latitude of every place, and assumes a new phase in every town. Those who fancy I have sought my position, know no more of my motives, than does Mr. Capper, one of my committing magistrates, who uttered the cold and heartless imputation that love of notoriety was the incentive to my conduct. My intercourse with Pemberton It is true, as "Philo-Publicola" sarcastically intimates, in his brilliant article on "Religious Persecution," in the Weekly Dispatch, of this day, that I nice ear and tender conscience of a policeman; but did not attune every metaphysical sentiment to the for this omission I hope to be forgiven. and a few other such glorious spirits, taught me to sum up all virtue in sincerity and benevolence, and all vice in cruelty and hypocrisy. Into whatever situation the practice of these precepts may lead me, I trust conscious integrity will support me. Martyrdom was never an object of my aspiration, but when punishment lies in the way of duty, I hope to be able to bear it. Gaols are my antipathies, for the vulgarities, crime, and pollution congregated within them no more assimilates with my taste, than the rude brutality of my treatment and diet accords with my delicate constitution. I gladly acknowledge the able manner in which the editor of the National Association Gazette defends mental freedom violated in my person; but when he concludes that I am "as bigotted in my atheism as my opponents in their belief," he does me an injustice. I would not punish any man for his opinions, and I never put my own dogmatically or intolerantly forward. in the city of Worcester. Mr. Whiting, of Bristol, the gentleman who was principal bail for Mr. SOUTHWELL, generously offered to proceed to Gloucester for the same purpose, if wanted. Birmingham, June 26, 1842. Mr. Roebuck's reply to the Cheltenham petition, sent to him for presentation :- London, June 23rd, 1842. SIR.-The petition you sent me is of a nature that demands serious inquiry-and I thought I should best discharge my duty towards the petitioners and Mr. HOLYOAKE, by at once addressing myself to Sir James Graham. He has very promptly taken up the inquiry, and I have no doubt but that substantial justice will be done. If, however, the petitioners should hereafter deem that justice has not been which has been undertaken by the Home Secretary done, I can present their petition, after the inquiry has been closed. I have taken this liberty with the petition on my own responsibility, hoping that the petitioners will here trust to my di cretion, and they for the moment will put confidence in my judgment. will write you word so soon as I hear from the Home Secretary, who has now the petition in his hands for the purpose of immediately instituting a searching inquiry. I am, sir, your obedt. servt. Mr. H. Fry. I J. A. ROEBUCK. My trial takes place this week, and having had but a few days to prepare my defence, I cannot more at large notice the objections that have been made to me. The Cheltenham Free Press, of June 4, contained a defence of my crime and conduct, delivered on the night of my apprehension, to which I should like to refer all my friends and foes. Those who cannot see that will find in the Report of my Trial, should I have a fair one,"In the tertiary formation we find a striking and a more complete vindication of my motives and conduct. I cannot conclude without saying that, though I expected to have only censure, I have been most agreeably disappointed-the kind assistance and sympathy I have received from friends new and old, has exceeded all I could have hoped for. Mr. Alexander Campbell was incessant in his endeavours on my behalf, as were all our friends in Cheltenham -Socialists,Sacred Socialists, Goodwin Barmby's disciples, and Chartists. In Birmingham, Sheffield, Manchester, London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, and many other towns, a generous interest has been felt in my hehalf. Of the press, the Cheltenham Free Press, Weekly Dispatch, Northern Star, Sun, Statesman, National Association Gazette, etc., quite regardless of my peculiar opinions, have rendered important services. The two first especially. The New Moral World must not be forgotten on this occasion. I was liberated on Friday, June 17, after 14 days and a night's imprisonment. The magistrates having captiously refused my first bail, Mr. James Barnes, of Worcester, one of our oldest friends, and Mr. J. D. Stevenson, of the same city, well known as a talented defender of chartis, proceeded to Cheltenham and became my sureties. They argued humorously, that it would be strange if there could not be found two righteous men THEORY OF REGULAR GRADATION. XVII. wonderful change of appearance. These strata are rich beyond all that go before them in animal remains. At the time of their formation, the aptitude of the earth for the maintenance of organic life had vastly increased, and was continually increasing, as the period approached when man himself and the higher orders of being were to become its inhabitants."-Chambers. In the strata previously examined, no distinct traces of mammiferous or sucking animals have appeared, either terrestrial or aquatic, and yet they form a large portion of the existing animal kingdom. The rare cases of supposed exception, have been found capable of such explanation as to leave the general truth unshaken. After the chalky formation, a considerable repose seems to have ensued, during which a large portion of the existing continents, and especially the hollows and basins on their surface, appear to have been the site of large lakes, rivers, &c. From this resulted the first fresh water formation, called the eocene period. While this deposit was going on, says Chambers, the globe, no lon ger an entire stagnant marsh, but as yet incapable of affording much support to terres trial animals, was tenanted only by such quadrupeds as live beside rivers and lakes. Nearly fifty extinct species of mammalia, chiefly of this character, were discovered by Cuvier in this formation. The most of these |