Produced by David Widger. *LIFE AND CHARACTER OF RICHARD CARLILE* _By_ *George Jacob Holyoake* _London_ _1849_ CONTENTS PREFACE LIFE AND CHARACTER OF RICHARD CARLILE CHAPTER I. HIS PARENTAGE, APPRENTICESHIP, AND MARRIAGE CHAPTER II. THE PUBLISHER AND THE PRISONER CHAPTER III. THE EDITOR AND THE ATHEIST CHAPTER IV. HIS DEATH AND CHARACTER ST. THOMAS’S HOSPITAL PREFACE When I first entered London, one Saturday evening in 1842, I was not known personally to half a dozen persons in it. On reaching the office of the Oracle of Reason, I found an invitation (it was the first I received in the metropolis) from Richard Carlile to take tea with him on the next afternoon at the Hall of Science. There was no name known to me in London from whom an invitation could have come which I should have thought a greater honour. The conversation at table was directed to advising me as to my defence at my coming trial. He requested me to hear his evening lecture, which he devoted to the policy of sceptical defence which he thought most effectual. At the conclusion, he called upon me for my coincidence or dissent. I stated some objections which I entertained to his scientifico-religious views with diffidence but distinctness. The compliments which he paid me were the first words of praise which I remember to have trusted. Coming from a master in our Israel, they inspired me with a confidence new to me. I did not conceal my ambition to merit his approval. On my trial at Gloucester, he watched by my side fourteen hours, and handed me notes for my guidance. After my conviction, he brought me my first provisions with his own hand. He honoured me with a public letter during my imprisonment, and uttered generous words in my vindication, when those in whose ranks I had fought and fallen were silent. It was my destiny, on my liberation, to be able to pour my gratitude only over his grave. In his Life and Character, here attempted, I am proud to confess that 1 have written with affection for his memory, but I have also, written with impartiality—for he who encouraged me to maintain the truth at my own expense, would be quite willing, if need be, that I maintain it at his. G. J. H. LIFE AND CHARACTER OF RICHARD CARLILE CHAPTER I. HIS PARENTAGE, APPRENTICESHIP, AND MARRIAGE I have accomplished the liberty of the press in England, and oral discussion is now free. Nothing remains to be reformed but the ignorance and vices of the people, whose ignorance cannot be removed, while their bodies are starved and their church remains a theatre of idolatry and superstition.’ These were the proud and wise words uttered in the last periodical edited by Richard Carlile. They are the history of his life—the eulogy of his career—and the witnesses or his political and religious penetration.