After the citation and examination of many witnesses, Mr.Smart, Q.C., urged upon the jury that there was absolutely no evidence against the prisoners.

It was perfectly clear that they were not the authors of the libels; their names had been used without their knowledge or sanction; and he confidently appealed to the jury for a verdict of Not Guilty.

"After a brief consultation," concluded this clever skit, "the jury, who had carefully examined the documents, were of opinion that there was nothing to prove that the prisoners wrote the libels complained of.

A verdict of acquittal was accordingly entered, and the prisoners were discharged." Now, every person acquainted with Biblical criticism knows that Mr.
Wheeler simply put the conclusions of nearly all reputable scholars in a bright, satirical way; and a century hence people will be astonished to learn that such a piece of defensible irony, every line of which might be justified by tons of learning, was included in an indictment for blasphemy, and considered heinous enough to merit severe punishment.
There were a few lines of verse picked out of long poems, and violently forced from their context; and also a few facetious "Answers to Correspondents," mangled in the same way.

Certainly any publication could be condemned on this plan.