The imprisonment was rather an insult than an injury. The prisoner received his friends freely and openly, and proceeded to the business of fighting his battle in the country from his "cell." A cry of indignation, which must have greatly surprised the Tories, went up all over England, and, on the next day, Northcote, at the urgent advice, it is said, of Lord Beaconsfield, moved for Bradlaugh's immediate and unconditional release. On Sir Stafford making his motion, Mr. Labouchere pointed out to the House, "in order that there may be no misconception in the matter," that Mr. Bradlaugh would immediately on his release "return to the House and do what the Prime Minister, the colleagues of the Prime Minister, the present Attorney-General and the late Attorney-General, say he has an absolute legal right to do." The motion was nevertheless agreed to, and Mr. Bradlaugh was released. The next day, June 25, Mr. Labouchere gave notice that he should move on the following Tuesday that the resolution of the House, which had resulted in Mr. Bradlaugh's imprisonment, should be read and rescinded. He also asked for special facilities from the Government on that day for bringing the matter before the House. Mr. Gladstone, whilst reserving his answer as to the particular form of proceeding, agreed that "it was certainly requisite and necessary that the subject of Mr. Bradlaugh's right should be considered," and promised facilities for the day mentioned by Mr. Labouchere. On the Monday, however, Mr. Gladstone himself informed the House that the Government had framed the following resolution, which they intended to submit: "That every person returned as a member of this House, who may claim to be a person for the time being by law permitted to make a solemn affirmation or {155} declaration instead of taking an oath, shall, henceforth (notwithstanding so much of the resolution adopted by this House on the 22d of June last, as relates to affirmation), be permitted without question to make and subscribe a solemn affirmation in the form prescribed by the Parliamentary Oaths Act, 1866, as altered by the Promissory Oaths Act, 1868, subject to any liability by Statute; and, secondly, that this resolution be a standing Order of this House." The Prime Minister then expressed the hope that, as the question would be raised in what the Government considered the most convenient manner, Mr. Labouchere would not consider it necessary to proceed with any motion on the following day. Mr. Labouchere withdrew his resolution "after the very satisfactory Notice, which has just been given by the Prime Minister."