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

4

•:tom-
e#: • g,

4; OD had revealed unto him—aud Mahomet taught
his followers that those rules for their religious and
moral duties which he had foamed, were moiled to
him from Heaven.
" I shall, Gentlemen, in my domes, estansiue these'
,two characters. The Learned Gentleman*: quoted
souse manitscript notes, Written by Sir Win. Jones, in
a Bible, in its favour ; but this great man did not
there say any thing of its Divine origin. I contend
that many parts of the Bible aft contrary to morality
and to each other: it proceeded from the pens 41
many individuals, and whether they were all inspired
or not is matter of opinion. He tells you that he might
have appealed to the Bible itself, to prove its Divine
character; but he has not done it; but I hope, Gen-
tlemen, to be able to convince you that it has no
such character.

" The Learned Gentleman says he could antici-
pate my defence--that I should dwell on the divi-
sions of the Christian Church; and he says these di-
visions are by the Providence of GOD. If so, may
not the divisions of the Malromedan Religion be at-
tributed to the same cause? Two Mahomedans will
meet as brothers; but if one commence his absolu-
tions at his fingers ends, and the other at his elbow,
their enmity to each other becomes rooted and int-
concileable.
" Gentlemen, I hold in my hand a Statute, en-
titled, An Act to relieve persons who impugn the
doctrines of the Holy Trinity.' On this Act I will
appeal, from the dictum of any Judge, to Public opi-
nion. The Christian Religion, Gentlemen, is founded
on the doctrines of the Trinity; take this away, and
it falls to the ground. You may follow the moral
precepts of Christianity as you would those of Con-
fucius; but take away the Trinity, and you destroy
the divinity of the Christian Religion.' Had I been
a Christian, I would have entered my most solemn
protest against the passing of this unchristian Act.
Belt while this Act remains in force, I cannot be con.
vinced—no, not by repeated verdicts, that I have
offended the law of the land. I will appeal against
the iterdict of yesterday, and against my being pre..
vented to justify my opinions in my defence ; the
moment I was prevented from doing this, my trial
became a mockery. If I am thus prevented from
entering on my justification here, it is no longer a
Court of Justice, but a dictatorial Inquisition. The
Learned Gemleman tells you I wish to revile Reli-
gion—I deny it, unless to easunine is to revile : but
the passing of this Act has reviled Christianity, by
impugning the Trinity.
. This Statute is my shield, and while it exists, I
will continue to publish without thinking I commit
any offence. You have been told that I should state
picking a pocket, to be a matter of opinion, but no-
thing in my defence has been 60 absurd. It is said
that Christianity is the law of the land; but if so, it
does not act justly when it tolerates those who propa-
gate the very opOions I are tried for pnblishing.
a The leased Gentleman bat appealed to your
oath, and declared, that jou could not give a verdict
in fny favour, but hs defiance of that oath. If so,
Olen i your character, as Jurors, destroyed ; but un-
less it can be proved that I published this work with
the view of. demoralizing the public mind, yen can-
, net charge me with a nuncio' us intention.
.0 He has pretended an attechmeat to the freedom of
the press, which his indictment gives the lie to, Pub-
lishing books on mere matters of opinion cannot be
an offence. Gentlemen, it is with great .pleasure I
stand here to defend this publication, because I agree
with the greatest part of the opinions of its author.
One passage towards the close, which savours of
Atheism, I disclaim—and this passage was not the
opinion of Mr. Palmer, who believed in one GOD.
This work was written in. North America, twenty
years ago : three editions have been circulated there,
and will it be emended that the people of America
are less religious, or less devoted to Christianity, than
thepeople of this country ?

This work was written by a Scottish Clergyman,
who was expelled from Dundee for his opinions. It
was written under a loss of sight, and on that account,
is entitled to some indulgence as a literary composi-
tion. It is entitled, • Principles of Nature,' "
CHere Mr. CAILILIC commenced reading the work,
which consists of 206 pages octavo.]
The Jury were much earliir disgusted with Mr.
Csames reading the blasphemous work than was
anticipated.

At a quarter before two o'clock, the Foreman of
the Jury rose, and said—" My Lord, the Gentlemen
of the Jury are unanimously of opinion that Mr.
CadiWs pursuing a very improper line of defence.*
caniejtirripc.—ei You bear that, defendant?"
Mr. eafaxas entered" into an indecorous alterci-
don with the Court for avne time, which ended in Na
abandoning any further defence.
Mr. GUIMEY declined making any reply.
The CHIEF J.U6TIOE thee proceeded to sum up the
stridence, in which he was only occupied, abpvt five
minutes. His Lordship stated the law clearly to the
Jury, and left them to decide whether the saiatliciaus
iateati•n with which the Defendant was
Siitau pro#ed or not ?
. The Jury consulted about two minutes, miCtion
returned a verdict of Guilty.
Mr. GURNZY now rose and stated, that two
prosecutions bad been instituted. by •the *Vet*
the Suppression of Vice %mime lee kfingime
' 143*

J

••• • . '