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London, England, 1819-10-13 00:00:00

Insisted that there was no Judge capable of try-
'lug hits, on Decimal of his opinion. He was a man
,of most cottony, erudition and research—.well cc.
quainted with the liebten tad other languages. He
,knew the objection was overruled, and he was con-
victed, and sent to the Kissi's Bench. But so con-
scioue was he of the rectitude of his conduct, that he
sold his book iii the King's Bench, and Mil assisted
.and supported by many divines. The Attorney.
:Geaeriil likewise quoted the case of Williams. who
originally published the first and second parts of
The Age of Mason. He was a mail who did not
venture to defend himself. He left his defence in
the hands of Mr. Tyild. who came into Court ie
ternsined to defend hum--but, being a barrister, he
!suffered himself to be put down by Lord Kenyans
He wished to justify Paint's expressions by reading
,part of the Bible--but Lord Kenyon prevented
him. The care of Eaton was also quoted. It was
.on indictment for a blasphemous publication. Eaton
attempted to defend himself—bid-tint on the same
;ground
that had been taken by Williams. Ile wse
et the time, a man far advanced in years—and did
;lot possess physical power sufficient to go into his
defence. He was besides frequently interrupted by
Lord Ellenborough. In the end he was con-
Visted—but it sly .old be recollected that there
wee then a law applicable to his caw. which,
ilt:Cp that time, had been revealed; but now
there was nu law under which any Court could
takF,, cognizance of blasphemy. The Attorney.
General had said, in the course of his observes
that this publication could have no effect on
the orrals of learned and intelligent men, but that
it woe calculated to corrupt the principles of the 11
lower classes of society. He would ask the Learneces'
Gentleman, whether, in the present state of the
country. any of the lower orders could lay down
their half-guinea fur the book' Three thousand
copies,had been sold since December last, and let
the Attorney-General shew • single instance in
which the wink had been productive of aii evil
tendtticy. It was circulated amongst that clap of
society which was capable of spending half-a-
guinea—and lie did not believe a single solitary
instance could be adduced of its, having corrupted
the mind of any person. The Learned Gentleman
said he was disgusted with the *ark, and that the duty
of reading it was a most painful one. But, however
painful it might be, the question was brought into
Court by his predecessor in office, and lie hail himself
thought fit to lay it before the Jury. The Learned
Gentleman had made an appeal to the feelings of
the Jury, whom he sought to influence by a refer-
ence to their duties as fathers of families. He did
not, however. refer to the book itself, in which there
was nut an immoral sentence. In the work it was
said that the Bible contained " obscene stories,
voluptuous .debaucheries, cruel and torturous
executions, and unrelenting vindictiveness." If
this were not the case, the assertion must fall
to the ground—hut if it could be justified. then
that which the Jury would avoid placing in the
bands of their children, was the work which cosM
taimd those voluptuous stories. The Attorney.
General said, lie felt it to be his duty to investi-
gate this question thoroughly. He had nut, how-
ever, done so. But he (Mr. Carlile) would go
through the book, paragraph by paragraph. and
.hew that there was not a single immoral repression
in it.
"Gentlemen," said Mr. Carlile, "the Attorney.
General's speech is full of repetitions. He said
more than once that the Jury were bound to lied
me guilty, upon their oaths; of course. if he were
right, all inquiry and investigation were unneces-
sary, and the Jury. by the oath they had taken—
and merely fur having taken such oath—were
bound to bring in a verdict of guilty. Gentlemen.
the Attorney-General read the Matter in the third
arid fourth counts of the information, without
making any observation whatever ; sometimes,, in-
deed, he made gestures. and at other times he fa-
voured you with snider, but he said nothing in the
way of refutation. Gentlemen. the Attoriley-Ge-
neral said, that he could nut read the oleiervatimis
on the New Testament, contained in this book,
without the utmost pain. Ile first indeed mid, he
could not bring himself to read them ut all. hut
this you must see was mere declamation and so-
phistry ;be did read those observations. Gentle-
men, the Attorney-Getters% has next attacked Mr.
Paine's, opinion of the miracle of the Concept'
Ile calls the work au attack on the religious pro-
fession of the (votary. Gentlemen, I do not know
what religious profession he means—l know not
what particular profession lie is of. but if I have
been rightly informed, be was educated a Unita-
rian; his whole family, his father, his brother'',
and Dearest relatives have beets, ansi still are I:in-
terjects—are of that very body, for whose protection
the Act of Parliament I have cited had been
passed—but whether the Learned Gentleman
changed his religion since he hes been promoted
in hie profession, it is not fur me to say, but I
have been told that he was one of those who held
up his hands for the protection of this statute
• law. Gentlemen. the Attorney-General says,
that he hoped for my reformation, as well as
the author of this work—he said that in his
calmer moments Mr. Paine himself must here felt
the truths of the Christian religion. Gentlemen,
for myself. I sow free to declare that I have strong
doubts of the truth of that religion, and as to Mr.
Paine. who lies gone to his accusals be expressed
himself on this subject its terms sufficiently strong.
The Attorney-General declared that this pfettell.
11011 was not 111Stitilted fur purposes of persecution ;
but, Gentlemen. I hope to make it clear to you
that it was fur persecuting pommies the prosecution
was instituted. fur the purpose of persecution on
a mere difference of opinion., Gentlemen? the
.Attorney.Geaseral has told you that Christianity
did not stand in peed aif the assistance of the secs.
lar arm. Gentlemen. if Christianity dem salt
stand is, need of his intesfereuee; why did be pre-
sume to cosine into this Court to protect it 1 If he
extremely

.owl . pesed fee person ; , los, e. aire, do they rot peastnit themselves every hoer to me eyes? •
Triody is the first,. the most 'moil. , awl, the I)6w did no *Ate model p'an'gto tee** Ni Ibis '
most: doetriss of Christians; yet rho** it"tut Iniar. blets."or gravid famished to war 'modish* '
ob. 46 tell* its that doctrine, ow.. who have I Lasulbs°lll,llLeVilebe°°.lbeil,tbs °P "el di la
openly disavowed it, those who have, its . the words, *solo" es oehressehe met old• slisoalosole sift
of the Attontey.General, reviled this religion, sass sm. dos *est meldis OW Meow
have not only not been punished. bet, are i's roloselisishhOW MO ere Sime . "he enehed
protected by the statute law of the laud.— ~by alit,_imisiossollloo.,
_____„llo's wetra r
Gentlemen, the Atiorney.General has told 'you,' "fit 'l'lremittit Mr.11 ttingfvn , laa.'""-:_
___:.,. ._ , the lan.
that my trial has been delayed, and he has put the g"ge of Paint "' '''''' '' "" seed a° cue.
men', My object in remain tie work to you is
causes of this delay on my back; but he was not
justifiable in doing so. Why was not tint Intl to convince you, by year owe ran, that it does
not contain • single immoral poseige. nor a
brought on after the Easter Sittings ? It might have
bre.' brought on then with as little inconvenience ' passage which caw be e°°°ll....ed °f e° ism"'
as now; it is true that other causes were fittest for . rah tendency, when be 'peaks his own *run-
menus, and does soot quote those of other writers."
trial before it, bet it is equally true that it is now
Ile then proceeded reading the work as before.
put out of its order, and takes precedence of one
After that part which forms the first count in the
hundred previous causes; it might here been
itsfernsatino, he said, '• Now, Gentlemen. I ask you,
brought before you, Gentlemen, at all events. in the
in making up this information, was it fair of Mr.
beg ' gof last June. But the Attorney-General
Attorney-General to state the first port of. • sets.
has said, that I took advatitege of the forms of law,
w,
tr... trace without slim stating the concluding member
and that I traversed. I did,
of it ? Had lie done .o it would appear, as 1 have
verse for one short Term, by which the hearing
already asserted. that the book dill not coulees us
of the case was postponed from January to
immoral
April, but the Crown has ever since NM by. oral expedient'', mikes it he taken from other
writisige—ssot a seutirneut or idea of an impeopet or
-a-Gentlemen of the Jury, the Attorney-Gesseral
injurious character which is delivered as his owe.
has confidently called fur your verdict of Guiteet Observe, Gentlemen, what the omitted words are,
because, he saes, it is manifest I have offeuded God.
• and, for my own part, I sincerely detest it, as I•I
Gentletnen, if this were the mere charge aguinst defeat every thing that as cruel'."
sue—if he could only snatch a verdict of guilty by Immediately previous to this. another copy of
proving to impartial men that in the publication of
The Age 11. Reuswswas handed to one of the Jury.
this work I have offended my God. I would have
Remarking on the extract constituting the second
nothing to fear—l coald not doubt of the protecting
count, fife. Cathie said, " Mr. Attorney-General,
verdict of honest mess. How can he prove—why
Gentlemen, has laid great stress on this passage,
ohonld he say that in this act I have offended my
insinuating pretty strongly that thereby Mr. Paine
Poll ? why should he thus presumptuously come
intended to reject altogether the morality of the
Niwwe me and my Creator? lie cannot. in this which is not at all the fact.—Hr merely
ittstatters.'Anelte,a guilt .apparesst—for here guilt Bible'
meant to declare that lie would not believe the
exists its the Abut -stoke, and that Intuit tells
books to he the word of God. which are collected
me that I have not Oven offence to God,
together under that dello 11l ioo anon, hut not by any
by giving publicity to what I consider a moral and
M
a useful work, by extending the field of fair in- eans to reject the pure moral precepts which may
be included its them."
quiry, into which every mail might easter. Gentle.
At this time the CHIEF JUSTICE, observing that
men, the Attorney-General again told you, that by
one of the Jury had a copy of the publication with
the obligation of your oath you were bound to find
me guilty. What is this but to shut up the aye- leaves uncut, wrote u note to Mr. Bellamy. the
Clerk of nisi Prima, sitting immediately below
slurs of justice, and to confound my defesicr ? Tidy. kim—on which he took it down, and had the sheets
Gentlemen, is not candid. Ile also said that he
divided. At the cud of the paragraph iu the origi.
did not mean to excite prejudice against me; but
what was his address but an endeavour from be- °°,l iLthealLee,..as—,..,.,. his power, see
ginning to end to stir latent prejudices, which must on' --
ua ,i7yetiii-,-- euar-Do---- we rant arLerr,, we it in
theel
necessarily, if excited, militate against my defence ? wisdom, "we see it in the creation.
nachanneable orderc by which the
Gentlemen, I shall I trust be able to 'hew you, incomprehensible whole is governed. Do we want to me-
that there is not one intmoral expression in the entire 111"Idate his Illsailicellee, we "e it it the abundance with
which he GM the earth. Do we won to contemplate his
of this publication, utiles' expression* which ate
taken out of that book which it labours to terms.. evW.l:fro' we
theseemittimisukhfisit lityfier°ld, doilitrethawetalabluidato kaleceow
Here, Gentlenieu, are twelve collie'. of the politica- Gout is, search out the book called the Scripture,
lion, which, if it he your wish, I shall send up to whirl, _ .----, bat the Scripture
your box. You will read it with candour, mad I called the ('session."
have not a doubt that, when every word it contents Why," said the Defendant, " did not the Attorney
is freely and fairly considered, ample justice will General select this as the subject for an informs-
be done."—Here Mr. Cathie was about to hand up tion ?" why did he not fix upon this fine moral ef-
to the Jury twelve copies of the publication, when fusion, or on many others in the same straits, to
lie was interrupted by ground his information on ? But he did not perhaps
Chief Justice Aston', who said that he could expect that I would adopt the line of defence I
not permit these copies to go to the Jury ; but they am now taking. He did
on
perhaps imagine that I
might, and would have before them for their given would read the whole of the book, and that the
sal and examination. the book that had been give Jury would hove such means of judging of its true
nature and object. He hoped he should be able to
in evidence.
Mr. Carlile--" My Lord, I can gain nothing effect a conviction by selecting detached passages
by acting improperly on this occission. I wish tu calculated to mislead and deceive."—On Addison's.
Jury up these copies. that each Gentleman uu the Paraphrase of the 19th Psalm. " The spacious
Jury mil have a copy to reed." firmasisetst on high," &c. which is inserted in
. The CHIEF JUSTICE—" t
hesenot be done--how The Age of Keaton, being read, the Defendant
Cats the Court know that te copies are genuine stated. " These, Gentlemen, are the sentiments of
copies of the book ?" Mr. Paine' he certainly has not written them. but
Mr. Carlile—" My Lord, they certainly a„ he avows them as his own--and such are the ideas
nuine." you are called upon to suppress."
ge
The CHIEF JUSTICE ...A' question--JusticeAbout ten minutes past two o'clock the Chief
That is the
cannot ray." retired for a few minutes. Mr. Carlile
I
One of the Jury..." These are copies of the pub- desired to know whether he should suspend his de.
lication." fence in his Lordship's absence, but a wish having
The CHIEF JtiTICE—" Gentlemen, we do not been intimated to the contrary (we understood by
know that. I sin indeed 'imbued to believe that the Jury), he continued. The succeeding sentence,
they are genuine, but that fact it nut proved, and, viz. "Had Newton or Descartes lived three or four
' fur the mere sake of precedent, I cannot permit the hundred years ago. and pursued their studies as
party to hand up to u Jury, at his own desire, that they did. it is most probable they would not have
which has not been given in evidence." livid to finish them; and had Franklin drawn light.
Mr. Carlile--o My Lord, there really can be Ding from heaven at the some time, it would have
no doubt but that these are genuine copies of the been at the hazard of expiring for it in flames,"
publication, and I-only wish that the Jury may suggested this observation to the Defendstut--" or
have the entire woo k bersne teem." at least. Gentlemen, I think, had he lived in the
CHIEF Justice—•' 1 what so too, but these time of Sir Alathew lisle, he would have been
books have not been proved in evidence—let the burned for a witch."
• book that hos been proved, be given to the Jury, Mr. Carlile then went regularly through the re-
and let them have one or two of these copies to ossinder of the first part of the publication. On
compare with the hook that has been given in eel- arriving at the conclusion he thus appealed to the
deuce ; if the Jury wish fur more copier they can Jury—" This, Gentlemen' ends the first part of
have them." The Age of Reason ; and I now call upon you. or
Here Mr. Cathie sent up some copies, and seem- rather leave you to judge, whether there is to be
ed about to supply the Jury with the full number found its it one seuteuce hostile to the cause of
of . twelve, when— virtue and morals, or of a tendency to demoralise
The CHIEF Justice interrupted him, who said, the mind of man—or whether it does not, on the
that this was irregular. let stricture., nothing contrary, contain a fitter system of ethics, and more
should be allowed to go to the Jary but the book calculated to enlighten, improve, and exalt the
'that had been proved. human faculties, than any which cau be formed out
Mr. Carlile again said, he only wished to supply, of that hook on which it is now charged with being
!like Jury with the mewls of perusing the publics. • degrading and malignant misrepresentation."—.
lion. upon the merits of which they were to decide. He then entered on the second part ..f The Age of
The CHIEF JosTICt commanded him to be 4- Xmas, also entitled 4* Ass investigation of true
•lent. If the Jury wished fur mote copies of the and fabulous Theology," reading •it without any
publications, they could have Otero, but the Dc- eariasioe as he had the first. He shortly idler
fendant should flirt be permitted to proceed kid intimated a wash that any Gentleman of the Jury.
gularly. who thought proper, would procure a Bible to
Ms. Carlile resumed..-" Gentlemen," .osid be. compare Mr. Paine's scriptural quotations from
"the book which lore bold in my band,a.ndlibich the original, but none of them, we believe, acted
is the subject .1 this, presecetien. is entitled The on the. suggesting). In detailing Paine's abler.
.Theologieal WorksV.Tharsoas raise. In the pidece, _ vatious ou chopter esti. of Numbers, the teat of
.to the work the mamas. for pnblirbiug it Om staled. which ran tho.--a it appears front the 35th verse
My sole reason for publishirig.the worksof Themes of this chapter, that the number of •womess..
Paine was the desire to promote as ingeig Maker children consigned to. debauchery by the write
truth. The conviction soder,. which 1.4.0144 of Mores was thirty-roe thousand"—the De..
them woe, that the publicotios would goomiellatho . ftedant added, 44 Mr. Paine forgot- twstate that
interest and welfare Al. the Pets* •Of t.lbis the priests took to themselves oat of the 'pail
tottotrYs :. As to-. the Authors Mr., 13.411/4 teas thirty mid WI. . Zfolo• lailelleolow.. if l had over
sixty .jeep iof age when ho 'FOUL AM. book .; amid,
_or pobliebed,,eny thieg ilis equal .ibis pi modes
tie was then iis Freon, it. mos. she OM of. the re- mosey and.
aL wickedoess. could 1 expect -arifrrour
volution, when the astbst,cespid, oot .4, 'grim( . hie or ' indulgence from your hands?" He- girds
aingledstros*Wiriting,nudeellitia rebutted the assertion that Paine bad retracted the
mid at ttds PP* Of )des."0•11 detit!. opinions paid dowa is the first part of his book;
gag • of: ON Chotte..S.Atitb.:Ms• ;tea falsehood of , which ha ;inferred. was apparent
mod • tire! ts litlolttleviC. ,frpoo ;his .extract issit..the peeler, t.. she .earreed
wheals •rwilmo, if the "dm*, .1.0 RIP' pm ,rite; Idetieedees,edet, bed, 'glowered hi*,
t elloge.43l".llset sett. of the.wprk. wily hose dud that I have foruithed royoelf wish *
1
SO (MA hr./male .1. beliprosill.bte Ilibk and Talism ° ans • and I. ran my also, Abet e
6.466 awes soil 1 hope for happi- skate foetid. there Si be much oats* b..-L-
4 410.411.",. v.. :. .. ~..,„ 3.,...,.... Aid* emmi.eitity i taw
mmelesims of that follawiarg possagpme, ~.. Slip kieser4giatiane ~,
' der fit palisade meladmirstioa are Nit is• by speaking better of some

sbe

tu cyas. - •
believe it of divine origin, was it not extremely Indianan, wnso
narannionous in him to defend it Z. This conduct, eaistaWes.foe a i
Gentlemen, fwraishes a strong prnof thtti tilt Pre-. tirtaatetahcess a
Aleut AnowileytGeneral. lilu easy of. the I,ir Wye. 'Ad date
011 Leers of the Croons 'wrote Po, feelOiNteesOerf I'IM4 idle PM
to hold ais the terrors of proseentiou sganettfree-iw. 4. to the retie
piny on this mot isnportept o.,att ttOjacitihr- ! Peetsed tu•tba p
Gentlernea. the Aptiroey.,o9;viesst ,Inei;owite4 si Limy aseisaple
yes that it is4o *Gowen egriset,the cetswats,..law.er Gtsd.
the Wadi, erviht Chrispowdr....rialttloPt% ,lief .1 "I;e4 be/.14
? . tne,dtrikt#llpf tbs.:P.4h Aube conch
Chetat eareeeely 'suite dist the Cittliusu is e gecit ebkv,