The fact is, blasphemy is a judge-made crime, and the "blasphemer's" fate depends very largely on who tries him.

Lord Coleridge holds one view of the law, Sir James Stephen another, and Justice North another still.

Nay, the last judge differs even from himself.

He can give two various definitions of the law in five days, no doubt on the principle that circumstances alter cases, and that what is true for one purpose may be false for another.
I have said that the jury, with indecent haste, returned a verdict of Guilty.

The crowd of people in court were evidently surprised at the result, although I was not, and they gave vent to groans and hisses.
The tumult was indescribable.