Star.
London, England, 1819-10-15 00:00:00

pAcitatc them from compiencoding sucn a subject as
this ? Are they to be attacked by this man, whose
learning and capacious mind give him such a mighty
advantage over the profession of the Bar ? But we
are content to be reviled by those who atteck all the
principles of Religion, and the most sacred Institu--
tions. In the indiscriminate censure of all that is
estimable in Society we do not wish to escape. You
will hear what he has to say, and consider it as moral
and religious men. You will contribute by your ver-
dict of condemnation to stem the torrent of profane-
ness and irreligion, which some melt rejoice in contem-
plating as the destruction of all laws and ordinances."
This speech made a very evident impression upon
the hearers.

Tomas Dare proved that, on the 19th of March,
he had purchased the publication, op which the pro-
secution is founded, at the shop of Mr. Carlile, where
it was openly to sell.
The Cutts JUSTICE...-" Of whom did you pur.
chase it ?"

Witness—" Of the defendant himself."
The CHIEF Jusycz—" Was it in the window?"
Witness—" No."
Mr. CARLILE—" I believe it was; was there any
hesitation in giving it to you ?"
Witness—" Not the slightest."
Mr. CARLILE—YOU are right—there was none."
The CHIEF Justica then desired that the Indict-
ment might be read.
Mr. CARLILE—" Let that be done which will
save time.".

When the Indictment had been read, Mr. CAR.,
',ILE stated, that it had not been done correctly, and
wished a passage to be read again, or that he might
be allowed to see it.

CHIEF JUSTICE--" It may be read again, but it
is irregular for you to see it."

The passages to which the defendant alluded being•
read, Mr. CARLILE thus commenced his defence :

Gentlemen of the Jury—This is the fourth day
in which 1 have stood in this• Court to defend myself
against a charge of blasphemy. I have contended,
and do still contend, that no Court in this Country
is authorized to take cognizance of such a charge.
I hope, Gentlemen, that you will discard from your
minas the verdict of yesterday ; and that in this
Court there is still law for a Deist. • On the first
day of next Term I shall appeal against the ver-
dict which has been given against me, as con-
taminated and irregular. The Learned Gentleman
has stated, that this was a prosecution instituted by
the Society for the Suppression of Vice. Until last
night, Gentlemen, I never knew who my prosecutors
were, nor do I believe I should then have bacoMe ac-
quainted with their names, but for the verdict of yes-
terday. He has told you, that the Gentlemen of this
Society have conferred many benefits on the country;
and, in some instances, I admit it ; but they have
carried their inquisitorial conduct too far. In pre-
venting the sale of obscene books and prints, I think
the Society has acted laudably, as these are &mambo.
ing to all persons of all ages and of both sexes. But are
they justified in going so far as to become Censors of
the Press, and to judge of books on matters of opinion?
Gentlemen, I am no hypocrite ; I avow myself a
Deist, believing in one Gon, independent of books,
or the opinions of others. This, it must be admitted,
is, in the abstract, a *latter of opinion only. If; Gen-
tlemen, your religious opinions are different from
',mine, you will doubtless disapprove and condemn
them. By the laws of this country, a fbreigner is
entitled to have one half of the Jury his countrymen,
or at least of foreigners ; but it is not so with me,
I am to be tried by a Jury of opinions opposite to my
own, and lam not allowed to justify mine. How
far it is necessary that books should be shielded from,

examination by law, or chat Courts of .Justice
should take cognizance of such an examination,
and not allow the defendant to state his reasons,
I will not pretend to determine. The Learned
Gentleman has attempted to screen the Attorney.
General from the charge I made against him of
wishing to excite prejudices against me—but he hue
failed. He has also stated, that the book I am
charged with publishing, was purchased at the office
of the Repolibeau end Deist. Now) Gentlemen, this
is a falsehood, as my shop bore no such designation
until long after this indictment was laid against me.
He calls me an offender ; this at least was not decent,
in your presence; for although the indictment charges
me with an offence, yet I ought not to be branded as
an *fender until. I have entered into that defence of
my cauduct, which I am this day determined to do;
and no ocher Judge but yourselves, Gentlemen,
shall interrupt me; and if I am told by you, that I
shall not make such defence, then will the verdict you
may give against me be irregular and impure. But
the Learned Gentleman has gone further, and corn-
4sared the publication of a book to equal in offence
that of murder, theft, or pocket-picking. Is there
the sligh analogy? A book is submitted to the
public, purchased by them or not, at their op-
tion ;an they read it, they may approve or dis-
card it. They are not deprived of any thing by the
act, except the pricp of the book, and this was, on
their part) voluntary. In speaking of this book, the
Learned Gentleman has alluded to Moses and Ma.
hornet; he has told you that Moses was the greatest
man that ever graced the earth, and Mabomet the
greatest impostor. Now, Gentlemen, Moses formed
a law for the people under kW, which he told