The correspondence of Carlile with Thomas Turton commenced with
business, but ended in the truest and strongest friendship that Carlile
ever had: and this is saying a great deal, for his life was enriched
with the friendship and esteem of many noble men and women. But we have
only glimpses of the correspondence of some of these, so that we cannot
judge so well of the length and depth of their mutual esteem as we can
of that of Carlile and Turton. It is to Mr. Turton that the gratitude
of the editor is due for having so laboriously yet lovingly procured and
preserved the very complete collection of his friend's and her father's
works and manuscripts. Like that of W. V. Holmes, this correspondence
commenced in 1822, and was kept up through a period of twenty-one years.
The first one was written March 21st, 1822, the last January 24th, 1843,
just two weeks before his death. We will extract part from that dated
June 23rd, 1822:--
"Mr. Thomas Turton,
"Sir,--I thank you for the subscription, and would by no means wish you
to press it further. The same amount spent in my publications would have
done me nearly as much good, and I rather think the idea of subscription
is calculated to keep many aloof who would otherwise purchase the
publications. I am in hopes I shall get on well now, without any further
subscription, and I shall write to check it in all the principal towns
where it has been kept up. Any new converts who may like to publish
their names this way, well and good. I will send a man to Sheffield as
soon as I hear of a volunteer who will keep out of the public house. No
laboring man is worthy of being trusted who has not this resolution."
From this there is a jump to 1833, when Carlile was in Giltspur Street
Compter, for a paragraph in the _Prompter_ relating to the agricultural
riots which were then in progress.
"London, March 8th, 1833.
"Dear Sir,--I trouble you with a couple of dozen of the _Gauntlet_. I do
not invoice them as I wish them to go to the cost of the carriage for
the parcel; what I want is to introduce them to Sheffield and to have an
agent for them there, if you can find me an honest one there. Every one
there, excepting yourself, has failed me in something. The _Gauntlet_ is
well received. It will be a political paper, now and then making a hit
at superstition. I have sent of them this week 1,250 to Lancashire and a
hundred to each of the other principal towns. The fourth number will be
interesting to Sheffield for the extract from Buckingham's
_Parliamentary Review_; indeed, I am sure the whole will give 'high
political satisfaction'. You see I am not out of prison yet. You would
have waited a long time in town to see me out. But I am in good health
and the _Gauntlet_ will tell you I am in high spirits. I know you well
enough to know that you will do what you can for me."
"London, September 19th, 1833.
"I like your suggestion of reviewing Allen's discourses on Atheism. I
will do so. Allen was at Liverpool when we were there meeting Thom in
1829, and I heard he offered to meet us if some one in the Methodist
connection would join him. You will see that I have fixed on being at
Sheffield on Monday, the 30th inst. Mr. Taylor (the Rev. Robert) does
not like the country. I wished him to go to Manchester and challenge the
Methodist Conference, immediately on his liberation, but he declined it.
My taste is to excite Sheffield in the best possible way. I shall do it
better alone than with Mr. Taylor, for his peculiar astronomical
interpretation of the Bible leaves no room for discussion, and he does
not like discussion. He is brilliant as a scientific lecturer on this
ground. I could master Allen in good style now, it is just the thing. I
thank you for the suggestion. I can do it so as not to offend any one."
"October 24th, 1833.
"I will leave you and other Sheffield friends to do what you will with
Allen. I shall write to him from Manchester on all the points I have
heard, and reiterate my challenge so that if he print anything as
correspondence with me, he may have something efficient, and I, of
course, shall print the letter."
"London, November 28th, 1833.
"Between you and me there is no question but Allen, like every other
priest, when pressed to discussion, is a shuffling scoundrel appealing
to calumny for a justification. I have paid and have to pay dearly for
appealing to law against them, so, some day, I will horsewhip one of
these rascals for meeting me with calumny. But if you take my advice
you will notice nothing that is published on the subject unless it be an
attempt at argument. I have received the knife from Mr. Holmes and
every thing your good nature had intended for me. I send you the books
I borrowed and a _Prompter_; you shall have a volume of the _Isis_ when
ready, which I shall never drop, as I pride myself on that work."
"January 14th, 1835.
"It is true, as you say, that I have a formidable conspiracy against me,
and the worst part of it is my own family do-their utmost to assist my
enemies. I shall beat them all! I am as young and vigorous as ever
in this sort of resistance." By this time he was in prison again, for
refusing to pay Church rates. He says: "I bear imprisonment as well
as ever, but I do not intend to stop after the church rate question
is settled. I shall have out a good letter to Peel by the first of
February--a goodly pamphlet."
"February 5th, 1835.
"I trouble you with a little parcel and beg your acceptance of my
letter to Peel and portrait of Julian Hibbert. I still remember that I
owe you a large portrait of Paine when I can get one. Peel has written
to me to acknowledge the receipt of my pamphlet. I sent it on Friday
evening. He acknowledged it on Monday, and on Wednesday I see a
commission announced.
"I am about to memorialise the Court in my case: you will see it in
print next week. I bear imprisonment as well as ever; though things go
on ill at Fleet Street."
"May 7th, 1835.
"I am simplifying my allegorical interpretation of the Bible to the
plainest understanding. Could I get the Sheffield Theatre again? I would
improve on the last use I made of it. Robert Owen has announced his
intended retirement from public life on account of age. The truth is,
he projected in-vain. Nobody understands him, and he does not understand
himself as to the practical measures. The philosophy of beating down
existing evils is the only practical philosophy. We are all in good
health save that I suffer atmospherical injury on the lungs and want
more exercise in good air."
"April 23rd, 1835.
"I am somewhat damaged in health, but I am looking? forward to country
air for restoration."
This was when the cottage at Enfield was about to be leased.
"May 7th, 1835.
"I am waiting to see what the Whigs will do with the stamp duty before
I start another publication. For the mere Radical, as certain men call
themselves, I have but little respect, and have found them less honest
than any other party. Richard [his son] is now in a shop in 37, Fleet
Street, held from the Bishop of Worcester, clerk of the closet to the
King, who is greatly annoyed at having a tenant from the Carlile family,
but his forbiddance came a day too late."
"November 19th, 1835.
"I am surely a wreck in purse and health. I have this day taken a
cottage in the country to recruit my health, and I do not despair as to
purse, though it is now a trying struggle. I am now about to advertise
my catalogue of books in the unstamped. These things have driven me from
the business market. No regular printer will print them, and everyone
now has to get his own types and press. This I cannot do, nor should I
think the risk warranted, in so far as the principle is of value. Mrs.
Carlile and the boy [Julian] are well; all my family are well, but
struggling for comforts."
"October 5th, 1835.
"I have nothing new; Mr. Cousins has put my name to his almanac. I am
not pleased with this, so I have not sent it to-you. I gave him the
title, but he stole the name. I am writing a letter for print to the
Bishop of Norwich, who has been silly enough to make a comparison
between me and a Mr. Geary, of Norwich, who is building a school, as to
which is the best friend of the people? He has given me a fine subject."
"December 10th, 1835.
"Dear Sir,--Though volume three of the _Deist_ will contain nothing new
to you, I must beg your acceptance of it, on account of the perfect copy
of Annett's lectures and in acknowledgment of my perpetuated debtorship
to you. I am at another periodical, but the state of the thing is that
no regular printer will venture to print an unstamped paper, and I, not
having types and machines, suffer for want of a printer and not for want
of credit. I shall hope to see you next year, as I mean to be active if
I have health equal to it. At present I suffer much from the London
winter climate, every now and then feeling as if I should cease to
breathe, and finding great difficulty in getting upstairs, and always
dying without a good fire."
"May 5th, 1836.
"The place I held last year did not suit my health. I became frightfully
ill, and was driven to the country, where I soon rallied. I shall stick
to the cottage in future. It is at Enfield Highway, ten miles on the
Cambridge Road; garden, etc., low rent, and very neat place. I am now
ready for activity of any kind, writing, lecturing, anything. I do not
mean to die yet or to be idle, but to follow out the character I have
formed. I have committed the folly of adding a daughter to my family. I
am now about to end my days in wisdom. Joseph Harris is doing well in
Newcastle, and Alfred [his second son] is well situated in Fleet Street.
We shall do business now on a new basis. Advertise much and have no
credits. Many of my friends cannot follow me in the pure mythological
description of Christianity; I hope you can; I am sure it is the best
point in Infidelity yet reached. I have quite resolved on one thing--not
to identify myself with the class of men now self-styled 'Radicals'.
There is no good to be done on that ground."
"June 2nd, 1836.
"The Bradford people want me down there. If the Sheffield Theatre could
be had, I would come to Sheffield; or if any other respectable place of
good standing could be had I would come. I want a shy at Allen, and
remember I shall take higher ground with him than I did before. I shall
publicly declare that these men Allen & Co. are wholly ignorant of
Christian Revelation, and challenge them on ignorance of their own
subject."
"Manchester, November 11th, 1836.
"I have used the Oldham Theatre here for four nights with pecuniary
success. My subject, 'The Application of Science to the Revelation of
Mystery,' is very palatable to the people, and very annoying to the
preachers. They are compelled to say 'they agree with me as far as I
go', but 'I say nothing about a future life'. That is not my fault. I
retort upon them that I have no evidence in or out of the Bible on the
subject. That I should be an impostor to preach without evidence. But
that I do more than they, I make my people sure of that salvation by
setting their lives right here. To this they are bound to assent, but
they will have the doctrine of a future life. The cultivation of the
human mind universally as the catholicity of Christianity is everything.
Every kind will follow and not lead on that point in the way of reform.
I am sorry to hear of our young friend's illness [T. Turton, junr.].
Send Tom and Mrs. Turton to Enfield. My priestly authority bid him live
and be useful. Cicero's subscription to his friends was 'Jubes te vale'.
I order you to be well! Such is mine to your family. I hope to give you
a good account of myself yet, but at present I feel just like Simonides
shipwrecked; I carry nothing about me but my brain. I think of being in
Liverpool in September to meet the British Association of scientific
men."
"July 7th, 1837.
"My sister's [Mary Ann Carlile] marriage improves on more information.
It is a captain in the army, who has served much in India, that has
married her, and I am told his income is not less than a thousand pounds
a year. It is curious that he is a Methodist or attends the Methodist
church."
"September 30th, 1837.
"I excited Norwich more than I ever did Sheffield, for by going to
preach several days running in the market place, I got into a splendid
hall, in discussion with a dissenting minister, before the mayor, and a
hall filled with the best citizens of Norwich. It lasted two nights,
and on the second I stuck my opponent so fast that he could not speak
another word. Great good was done; before the discussion three or four
were challenging in turn, and I triumphantly exclaimed before the mayor
and a thousand persons on the retirement of my adversary, 'Who comes
next?' No one came. My new friend remitted me L35 for my expenses here.
I spent the week quietly with the British Association. I am about to
challenge Roebuck. I have been pretty active this week, and now, like
Titus, I feel that I lose a day if I do not preach. I shall get to
Halifax for the sake of giving Bywater another opportunity. He is, of
course, now the Rev. Mr. Bywater, and my equal in title, except that I
am a M.B.A.A.S., Member of the British Association for the Advancement
of Science."
"November 22nd, 1837.
"I almost despair of making men anything but the worshippers of men. I
do not see that the best of them (with very few exceptions) have any
comprehension of or respect for principles. I am recommending
associations for scientific pursuits because they will be purely
schools, but any political association I still hold to be mischievous
and weak, becoming after all the mere voice of individuals.
Hetherington's present standing is this: the Tories have bought his
paper and Bell's paper, and another called the _Guide_. Who was chairman
of Powmell's committee in opposition to Hume in Middlesex? It is a plan
to work those Radical papers more efficiently against the Whigs; Radical
editors are retained. The _Northern Liberator_, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne,
is a branch of the same thing. There is no difficulty in guessing for
what purpose Tories will buy Radical papers in the present day. It is
quite a new feature in the state of the times among the political
parties."
"The Oldham Association for the Advancement of Science commenced on
Sunday last with 23 members as a beginning. They will exclude no subject
from discussion that the council or committee shall approve. I am very
proud of my Oldham friends."
"I consider my little dictionary an important document, but there must
be an initiation of mind to understand its force, as Bible language.
I am commissioned by my friends to give away ten pounds worth of
Shepherd's writings, with a view to forward the interest of the
publication."
"Manchester, December 8th, 1837.
"This is my 47th birthday. With care in the winter, I think I shall wear
a dozen years longer; but I must take care. Mrs. Carlile will return
with me and lecture here and about. It is astonishing how ill men bear
discussion. These Socialists are as offensive and dishonest as any
religious sect when brought into discussion. Frivolity seems more suited
to the present state of mind than any sound, serious, or permanent
principle. Notwithstanding, I feel myself right enough for the future,
and rejoice in the course I have taken. I am well pleased with your
getting me the books for my new friends. I have preached or lectured
ten times in the last eight days, and finished my season in criticism on
Owenism to-night. I mentioned my missionary friend to stop mouths
here who say that all I care about is their pennies. I am improving my
audiences in quality. The low catholics came first, but now they do not.
I never despaired of working my way in spite of Radicals and the devil.
I shall beat them both. Though the Socialists are very rancorous, I make
them wince. They are afraid to come near me in Manchester, and this they
call beating me. If their principles are sound they ought to thank me
for discussing them. I would like you to hear my discussion at Beard's.
I treat them all in reverence, seriousness, and solemnity, without any
sacrifice of old materialistic principles, and command great attention
by the force of my explanations. Your name and virtues are not unknown
to, but are fully appreciated by my Gloucestershire friends. I have been
three nights, and am to have a fourth to-morrow at Hyde, discussing with
Stephens whether we should seek the repeal of the new Poor Law Amendment
Act, in preference to going for the tithes and other church property, as
an original and still legal right wherewith to supersede the necessity
of any Poor Law. I have had nothing but his audience to address, and
when I pressed him hard, he knew how to relieve himself by appealing to
their ignorance and their passions against me. Stephens has a deal of
bilious ferocity about him, but this must be confessed, that he has
thrown away the favor of the rich to advocate a better lot for the
lowest poor. Taking his character altogether I like him. I have
accomplished my purpose of reaching his audience. The class of people
who should come to me stand off on account of the old prejudices, while
the devil they make of me frightens others. The Owenites are the best
class, yet they are sectarian and fanatical, hating all professed
reformers who are not Owenites. Shall we ever see mankind, or will
future ages see them, working together for common good? I begin to doubt
it, still I would have no effort relinquished toward it. To save some,
if we cannot save all, is something. This discussion with Stephens is
not likely to be printed; had it been anyone else but me there would
have been a flaming newspaper to do. I am certainly in a curious
predicament as to parties in this country at present, everyone of them
is alike shy of me, but I shall work my way out to something eminent
among them yet. Ackland and Stephens are at dagger's point; neither of
them are theological reformers. I have been trying to school both, and
have them both interested in my revelation of the Bible mystery. Both
say it is beautiful, but Stephens says he must get the new Poor Law
Amendment Act repealed first, and Ackland says, keep it on. They will
not use me as a mediator, and I wish to be a mediator between them.
Oh, these public men! and oh, for those who are led by the nose through
them, and cannot think for themselves! A deputation has been here with
a project of a national petition and a national fast for universal
suffrage, and after that, not getting it, a national disuse of
exciseable articles. The old story revived; the do nothing story!" [This
was Carlile's old project of not using exciseable articles.]
"Manchester, April 4th, 1838.
"I have no particular news save that my prospects improve, which I know
will please you. Mrs. Carlile will now travel and lecture under my
travelling name of Mrs. Clay."*
* This idea of a travelling name seems to have been to save
unpleasant notoriety or attention.
"May 15th, 1838.
"I am sorry the Sheffield people do not like the _Church_, though I am
looking for an entirely new class of readers. The first number converted
a fine fellow of a clergyman here in town, who is quite in raptures over
it. His name is Claiborne, and he writes over the name of 'The Curate of
Swalacliffe'. Claiborne is American born, whose father was one of the
strugglers for Independence, and intimate with Thomas Paine. I assure
you I am very happy. The few friends I have are worth all the rest of
the world."
"December 18th, 1838.
"My chief stand has been in Carlisle this autumn. I find that I kept at
it too long, as I broke down altogether in health at Manchester. I must
now keep by the fireside for two or three months and nurse myself
carefully. _The Tory_, Lord Lonsdale's paper, fell foul of me, and went
so far as to say that I undertook to lecture on teetotalism and got
drunk and disappointed the audience. A vagabond by the name of Hawthorne
had made a boast of doing this. He began to abuse me before an audience
in Cockermouth. I mentioned his own statement to the audience, and the
Tory paper made the answer apply to me. Mrs. Carlile joined me at
Carlisle and lectured on Phrenology, also at Annan, and in the summer at
Gravesend and in London. I was really triumphant in Carlisle. The people
demanded that the preachers should meet me. Every one was asked and
declined. In despair a messenger was sent to Annan to a Mr. Ward, who
came boasting into the market-place that 'he was about to meet in the
theatre and to silence one of the adversaries of the Lord'. I gave him
such a discourse to deal with as he could not touch, but altogether
complimented it, declaring in the theatre that he altogether approved of
it. I reminded him that I had superseded his historical Christianity.
That was a difficulty for which he needed time."
"Enfield, February 19th, 1839.
"You will find by this that I am neither dead, dying, nor asleep, but
still in vigorous health and mind, after my six months of vegetable
diet. I hope you will live to see me still beating down all opposition
yet."
"Enfield, March 2nd, 1839.
"I see there is nothing in a reforming or a political public to be
relied on. They may be cajoled, cheated, led by the nose or ears, but to
reason with them offends them, while the multitude will follow where
immediate interest or even excitement is imagined. O'Brien's (Bronterre)
threats all ended in vapor. He is no politician, as shallow as any other
Irishman; I never knew one that could reason on any subject except
Roger, the father of Fergus O'Conner. Fergus is an empty, shallow
creature, and will be found in a ludicrous position in the autumn of
this year, from his having set a day for universal suffrage to be the
law of the land. I like to see Owenian discussion in print, and this is
where, and alone where, the Owenists are doing good. I sent you a
_Sunbeam_, with something of mine in it. I shall write more articles for
the different papers under the signature of 'Cadmus', which, being
interpreted, is the same as Jesus Christ. We want him, but have never
had him yet, either in body or spirit."
"Hull, May 13th, 1839.
"The Socialists here will not allow me to use their room notwithstanding
that their leader and founder was an old London friend of mine. My
subjects are, 'Science in the Church,' 'Science, the Religion of the
People,' 'Down with Superstition!' The Socialists are a little
frightened at my view and review of Owen's projects. They say that if
the preachers get hold of it they will vend it from their pulpits. I am
not so bitter with them in open discussion, and would defend them where
I saw them unjustly pressed by the fanatics."
"Doncaster, June 7th, 1839.
"Dear Friend,--I made a fine beginning last
night to a fine audience, but I so frightened the clergy that they have
threatened Mr. Bright to buy no more trinkets of him if he allows me
to use the betting room again. I called on the Mayor to ask him for the
Town Hall; am to see him at four.
The people behaved remarkably well in manners, and in the-expression of
delightful approbation. Had you, my desponding friend, been there, you
would have said, 'Go on at all hazards and consequences indoors and out
of doors, home or no home, life or death, fortune or starvation'. And
so I will go on if I walk from town to town, from village to village,
confined to a diet of bread and water.
"Mr. Levison complimented me this morning with saying that he would have
walked any distance to have heard the fine philippic I gave the clergy
of the Established Church for their neglect of the education of the
people. I am all the talk in Doncaster this morning, frightening some,
pleasing others; but fright is predominant among those who did not hear
me.. Even the people here in the inn are beginning to exhibit alarm.
Alas! for superstitious minds. The 'Crier of Doncaster' is a Methodist
local preacher, and found himself in a pucker to satisfy his conscience
that I was a real convert from infidelity. He was sure I was from the
bills, but many out of doors assured him I was not. He went to Levison,
came to me and I satisfied him of the goodness of my religion and that
I was no infidel. He cried for me, but he declared he would neither cry
for the Socialist, Chartist, nor Infidel. I doubt if the fool has slept
to-night between his illformed conscience and his interest. I have a
letter from Crowly saying that no room can be got for me there [name
of place not given] in consequence of the alarm about Socialism. These
Socialists will be very much in my way for a time. I see the Whigs have
dropped their modicum of education; they are utterly contemptible as
ministers. The editor of the _Chronicle_ (Doncaster) says the clergy
ought to cope with me. Mind, he says this privately; I doubt if he will
say anything publicly or perhaps the contrary. I had a pretty group of
well dressed ladies at first, but unluckily they did not feel themselves
kept sufficiently in countenance, as I, in giving St. Paul's definition
of a Jew, had to read something about circumcision, which passes in a
church pulpit, but is offensive as a public reading elsewhere. Determine
to be happy within yourself and family, and let not the external
circumstances annoy you. Proud of exchanging friendship with you."
"Doncaster, June 8th, 1839.
"Have Faith, my good friend! Have Hope! Charity you have in abundance.
Faith, Hope and Charity, are blessed qualities in this wicked world. All
that the Doncaster religious folks can say to me is to ask how it is
that I am the only wise man on the subject of religion in the country? I
answer that it is for them to find out how they have been misled? I pity
the solidity of the materialists who cannot see my present course to be
the most useful and spiritual. Bigotry is universal; it belongs to every
sect and party, be you a Catholic Christian! I am very happy in
Doncaster."
"Wakefield, June 13th, 1839.
"I came to Wakefield and spent the evening in the Working Men's
Association Rooms, which has a good library. They sent the 'crier' round
to say that I would address the people in the market place, which I
did in good style. At the conclusion, a Mr. Nichols, the principal
bookseller here, took me off to his house. This morning he took me over
the Proprietary School and introduced me to all the teachers. To-morrow
he is to introduce me to Charles or rather Squire Waterton, the
Catholic, whom I am anxious to see. Nichols is a religious man and
saw lately in London, in the possession of a Quaker, the signet which
Pharaoh gave to Joseph!
"_Friday_, a.m.--I had a fine audience last night, even amidst a smart
shower of rain, in the market place. I standing sheltered and wrapt up
in the spirit, did not discover it till the business was over. The open
air work is my forte, as I find I have a more perfect command over even
the religious folks. With the Bible in my hand I can go anywhere without
the least sacrifice of principle. It is a magic book on human ignorance,
and I will try to work its magic among the learned, unravelling those
mysteries, which was the promise of my early life."
"Bradford, June 21st, 1839.
"I found Leeds placarded with a challenge from Lloyd Jones to six or
seven preachers by name, undertaking to prove that there was no rational
evidence to conclude that the Christian scriptures are of Divine
authority. No other preacher coming forward, I took up the cudgels
against him to maintain there was such evidence. To my astonishment I
found Leeds in the highest state of excitement, fifteen hundred people
crammed into the music saloon, and hundreds standing about it. This was
a fine opening for me, and I made the most of it. I found my old friend
Laurence, the showman, there, with his fine bald head, and a more
gratifying evening I never spent. I have warm work in prospect. I begin
to feel all my powers and extensive reading available in speech. This
was not so until of late.. I am getting to be called the 'Prince of
Lecturers', Tuesday night I had an electrified audience."
"Manchester, July 17th, 1839.
"I left you to find out by the _Northern Star_ where I was for the last
fortnight, increasing in usefulness, but not in wealth. I began my first
speech with an angry audience, but mastered their feelings and commanded
their respect. O'Brien is but a miserable orator with a miserable
subject, he revenged himself on me by abusing Thomas Paine, not much to
the taste of the audience. I have challenged him to discussion, which, I
fear, he will not accept. On Sunday at Leeds I addressed an audience of
5,000 persons, also in Dewsbury. Bradford presented me with over 2,000
people; with very large audiences in Bolton, Rochdale, and Halifax. I
must be doing good, for new as is my subject, it delights my audiences.
I have well agitated every town I have visited since leaving Sheffield."
"Manchester, August 3rd, 1839.
"My warfare here is a curious one with reformers. They denounce me as a
spy and an agent sent down by the Government to divide and distract
them. In this neighborhood things are very critical as to the temper of
the people. A large quantity of pikes have been openly made and as
openly sold. My judgment is that the people here have a real taste to
try the use of such weapons. At Halifax on Sunday last the magistrates
and constables were there to arrest me if I attempted to preach in the
market place, it being private property. A gentleman came forward and
offered me a piece of his own property to speak upon. The authorities
followed, and after listening awhile, they sent the constables away
saying it was no use, they could do nothing. I am, unfortunately,
suspected by all parties, so none support me. Yet I think of myself that
I am the nearest right of any. I cannot despair, I am in the same temper
with five shillings in my pocket as with five pounds. I am sure they are
principles and not profits on which I rest."
"Birmingham, September 11th, 1839.
"You must ere this have thought my silence ungrateful, and ingratitude
above all the vices is the one I wish to avoid. On the third of August
I found the excitement about Chartism and the national holiday to be so
overwhelming that I could do nothing in Lancashire. I went to Bolton on
the fourth and addressed an immense crowd of 5,000 people, more than the
church would hold in the morning, and about 3,000 in the evening.
"My address to the reformers has excited a good deal of interest, and I
verily believe saved some property from destruction and some necks from
hanging, if not other lives. I found the Chartists of Berry, Leigh,
Bolton, and part of Manchester, madly rabid for the destruction of
property, life, or something. Almost every London paper noticed the
address, some of them quoting largely from it, and I was told that the
Tory paper of Birmingham had noticed that the 'Great Satan of the day
had begun to rebuke sin'. I satisfied all who heard me last night that
it was nonsense to talk about reforming the House of Commons. It could
only be reformed as a representation when it ceased to be a House of
Commons, separated, mixed with, or distinguished from a House of Lords.
They could not but applaud my statements, but I fear they were too
stupid to understand them."
"Enfield Highway, January 15th, 1840.
"I shall expect to hear of other Chartist outbreaks, besides this of
Sheffield. I am very much afraid that Tom [his son] will, in his
desperate circumstances, be committing himself in Manchester. I was told
some weeks since, by a Dewsbury man, of a turn out there one night of a
thousand armed men, ready and willing to lay Dewsbury in flames. Such
movements as these will decide the fate of Frost, and begging pardon
moral force Chartism is as pure a piece of humbug as physical force
Chartism, and more so. The first cannot succeed, the second may by
haphazard and desperation. And as to the Socialists, their propositions
for reform are monstrous. Imagine an appeal to all the agricultural,
manufacturing, mercantile, and trading interests of this country, to
stay their pursuits, and shape themselves by Mr. Owen's parallelograms.
If there were unanimity, and no dissent, no adverse interests, it could
not be done; with one mind, and successful examples, it would be a work
of centuries in one country. Then would come the consideration of the
conflicting interests or passions of other countries. I should be
unmerciful in satire on the Socialists but for their warfare with the
other superstition. They are a shabby, unstable crew of reckless
projectors. There is really a moral want in their characters, and such I
have found with the great mass of working-men reformers. If ever a man
devoted himself body and soul to serve them I am that man; and yet how
few of them there are who can find for me a civil word. I shall go on to
reform the reformers, and have not a doubt but I shall get up a paying
register."
"January 27th, 1840.
"For the first time in my life I have a secret to keep. I am working an
_incog._ experiment to market my labor. Do not mention this, for a
breath of suspicion would paralyze it. I dislike secrets, but they are
absolutely necessary to existence among the competitive tricks of human
beings. I have had inflammation in my eyes ever since I returned from
Birmingham. The doctors would tell me not to harass them by
candle-light, but I must, and say as a doctor said of brandy, that 'he
liked it better than his eyes' after warning a patient not to drink it
who found him drinking. Our London Chartist insurrection was more
contemptible than that of Sheffield. The truth is that Englishmen are
not now weapon-fighting men, until they are trained as soldiers."
"February 12th, 1840.
"My going to town in the winter seems to be at the hazard of my life. If
I could live without it I would not see London from 1st of November till
April. I am quite out of the lecturing world, being neither a Tory,
Whig, Radical, Socialist, or Chartist. I find I am nothing and nobody. I
am pleased with the Bishop's movements, it will do good. There is
nothing like prosecution of opinions to propagate them. The cessation of
prosecution was my political death. If I am dead, which I am not, I am
getting compliments as an _incognito_ writer; some day I will startle
you with a curiosity in this way in which I am likely to do more good
than before. I have proved that the general public has no objection to
my writing, but will not have my name. It is a question if any
periodical is the better for a name? I shall send you O'Brien's
challenge back, for I have a great repugnance to hoarding anything,
though I often sustain wants for which my carelessness has left me
unprovided. My nature is a circulatory one, it hoards nothing, is pained
by secrets, and wants the human mind as open and visible as the human
face.
"T. P. C. [his son] has come to London and renewed his-_Regenerator and
Chartist Advocate_, I am a rejected writer!
"The Socialists and Chartists preach at one another, but don't discuss.
I have offered to fight the Bishop of Exeter for them if they will
guarantee me L200 for five years; it will take that time to settle the
question. The Government is bound to prosecute. Lord Melbourne is now
in the same predicament as to Owen as he was with me and the Rotunda.
He will be goaded to prosecution, though Owen has sent round circulars
advising his followers to drop theology. They have nothing else to talk
about. I am glad the life of Frost is saved; but I wished to see the
Chartists put upon their mettle, if they have any, for I doubt if they
have. They are quite down in London. Socialism is the only thing that
lives here, and that must go down. It has no living principle."
"Enfield, February 26th, 1840.
"The office I was seeking in London was a place in a good situation for
business. They who could or would help me to an official situation are
afraid of my name. Heywood, of Manchester, I hear, is prosecuted for
Haslam's letters; he cries out and says he would rather give L50 and the
stock of publication than stand the prosecution. We shall see what sort
of martyrs they make. I cannot tell you my secret yet I pass _incog_, as
a man of respected and admired talent; you shall see the proofs of this
some day. I fear that I have lost two papers, merely by the knowledge of
my handwriting.
It is a case, too, where an amanuensis or copyist cannot be trusted. I
have sketched a petition to the House of Lords, if an outcome be
found to present it, stating that as the Church is founded upon Jewish
history, the way to establish it well is to correct the current errors
of that history, return to the original Jewish philosophy, and remove
all the heresies of the last eighteen hundred years. I ask the Lords
to make the Lords Spiritual a Committee of Enquiry on this subject so
interesting to all nations. The Ham Common School (Bronson Alcott's)
is a failure. There was nothing generous in it, save that my
Gloucestershire friends paid the expenses. I have sadly lost by it in
my income. It has from beginning to end been a bad project. In all your
preparations for heaven, I hope all your family will find it. I have
great need of a warmer climate, but unless I am transported for treason,
do not know how I shall ever get there. When the sun is out I am alive,
when not I am dead.
"Most of the reformers or pretended reformers that I have known have
been flighty men, flying about after everything without solidity to rest
on, and accomplish anything. They are, as such, too often deficient in
moral character."
"Enfield, March 11th, 1840.
"I see by the _Times_ yesterday that memorials are being sent to the
Protestant monarchs to combine and send the Jews back to Palestine at
this struggle for Syria between the Sultan and the Pasha. Would the Jews
go back? that is the question. No! they know better. They are commercial
men and could have very little commerce in Palestine. I never knew an
unemployed Jew living retired without business. I am now writing leaders
for the country papers of Liberal principles. I find I am so far master
of all political and theological subjects that I could write-equally
well for any party and please them all in turn. I find, too, that there
is much good to be done in this way.
All that is required is to support the cues and bent of the paper and
party, and you may introduce any good sentiments under that guise. I
got a famous letter on blasphemy into the Cheltenham _Free Press_, of
February 29th, signed 'Christian'. The editor wondered how a Christian
could write so. My politics never consisted of property burning or the
assassinating of innocent people, nor did yours; and I would willingly
give evidence against any such cases, to serve better political
principles."
"July 9th, 1840.
"Cogswell's imprisonment was fully reported in the _Gauntlet_. I
supported his family. His wife died during the prosecution, for she too
was prosecuted. He afterwards married her sister, who came to look after
the children. I have found him a very grateful, honest fellow. I feel
content with myself in not having joined either the Socialists or the
Chartists. There will be something better coming up by and by."
"Enfield, August 6th, 1840.
"I had not heard of the death of Abner Kneeland, and I have reason to
think he is still living in Boston, U.S."
"October 13th, 1840.
"I made a declaration last Sunday that there was a mistake between me
and the public, that I had not recanted a sentence I ever published, but
had only gone on another tack in my warfare with superstition. When I
box up the Gods in the human head as I do, making it the heaven, the
earth, the garden of Eden, the ark, the tabernacle, the temple, depend
upon it, I will not let them roam abroad in the physical world for
superstitious mischief.
"I would be bound to bother Acland, though I confess he is on his best
ground. I had a fine triumph over him about the Poor Laws, in the Bolton
Theatre, and never before nor since did I hear the phrase of 'Three
cheers for Carlile'."
"November 13th, 1840.
"I have been rolling restlessly on the bed all this week since my return
from London on Sunday, incapable of lying still any way for a quarter of
an hour at a time, with a high (more than usual) inflammation of the
chest. This is my first salute for the winter. I am now worse on Friday
than on Monday, and have some fear that I shall not be able to go out
soul saving on Sunday next. I shall go if there be a possibility to
stand up and talk. I find that I have reached a point in my ever
sanguine calculation, and that is that the time has come in which I can
excite more interest in London than any of the Socialist or Chartist
leaders. I have restored a lost audience to the Hall of Science, and
have drawn well there; moreover, I have pleased. Have sold my books
freely, and have brought home about L5 in four weeks, which is a welcome
addition to my slender income. I work now on Sunday afternoons, as I
have no evening vacancy. I am enquiring for a place of my own--but my
health!"
"Enfield, March 17th, 1841.
"You would have been delighted on Sunday, the 27th, I had a Brindly-like
opponent, who, however, could but regret that such splendid talent as he
had to his astonishment witnessed that evening should be prostituted to
so bad a purpose; and yet he talked himself quite round to me; paid me
high compliments, and came to shake hands warmly. Owen, I hear, is
veering round to some new point about colonisation, and offending his
community party. Sir H. R. Inglis brought up my name in the House of
Commons last Friday in the question of Jewish Emancipation. He wanted to
know how a Jewish alderman could have met me? I immediately drew up a
petition of my whole case, briefly as possible, praying for two things:
examination on the question of ancient Jewish history, and compensation
for damage and merit as soon as the Jews are introduced among the legal
authorities of the country. Peel moves well in the item of scientific
schools. I have told him this week that he has only to move into the
Church with them to be all right. I will send your books with
Baraclory's parcel. I may keep out one for my very good friend Charles
Roach Smith, the chemist, of 5, Liverpool Street, City, who came out
enthusiastically to lecture at the Rotunda when Mr. Taylor was sent to
Horsemonger Lane Gaol. Mr. Smith is a young man much respected among the
antiquarians. His papers are read in the Antiquarian Society, consisting
of bishops and all sorts; and lately the Marquis of Northampton sent him
a card of admission to his soiree as President of the Royal Society; so
we swim. I feel myself growing daily in public interest, though the
money does not flow in yet. My passion for doing public good is as
strong as ever; it is tempered a little with the discretion of
experience. I am now a regular correspondent of the _Bolton Free Press_;
my signature is--'A Reformer of the People.'"