It was obvious that we had many friends, that we were not going to be tried in a hole-and-corner fashion.
Our case excited much interest in London.

Most of the newspapers contained a good report of the proceedings at the Mansion House; and even the Tory _Evening News_, which affirmed that we were three vulgar blasphemers undeserving of notice, had as the leading line on its placard "Prosecution of the _Freethinker_: Result!" The _Freethinker_ for February 11 contained an article from my pen on the "Infidel Hunt," and a very admirable article by Mr.Wheeler on "The Fight of Forty Years Ago," narrating the trials of Southwell, Holyoake, Paterson, and other brave heretics.

Mr.Ramsey did not then quite approve my attitude of defiance, although he has changed his mind since.
He thought it more prudent to bend a little before the storm, instead of daring its utmost violence.

He was also anxious to please those with whom he had worked before his partial alliance with me, and who were not prepared to sanction his continued connexion with the _Freethinker_ if he wished to remain with them.

For these reasons he retired from our partnership, and I was at once registered as the sole proprietor of the paper.