Many religious journals, and especially the _Rock_, clamored for legal protection against such "blasphemy." Irate Christians called at our shop in Stonecutter Street, purchased copies of the obnoxious paper, and, flourishing them in the faces of Mr.Ramsey and Mr.Kemp, declared that we should "hear more of this;" to which pious salutation they usually replied by offering their minatory visitors "a dozen or perhaps a quire at trade price." Similar busybodies called at Mr.Cattell's shop in Fleet Street, and plied him with cajoleries when menaces were futile.

One of them, indeed, attempted bribery.

He offered Mr.Cattell half a sovereign to remove our Christmas Number from his window.

What a wonderful bigot! That detestable fraternity has nearly always persecuted heresy at other people's expense, but this man was willing to tax himself for that laudable object.

Surely he is phenomenal enough to deserve a memorial in Westminster Abbey, or at least an effigy at Madame Tussaud's.
Presently our shop was visited by another class of men--plain-clothes detectives.