Mr. Cluer caused some amusement in the Court of Queen's Bench
when, in the gravest manner, he drew attention to these errors.
Lord Coleridge as gravely replied that he could not take judicial
cognisance of them. Whereupon Mr. Cluer quietly observed that he
was ready to produce the authorised version of the Bible in court
in a few minutes, as he had a copy in his chambers. This remark
elicited a smile from Lord Coleridge, a broad grin from the lawyers
in Court, and a titter from the crowd. It was perfectly understood
that a gentleman of the long robe might prosecute anybody for blasphemy
against the Bible and its Deity, but the idea of a barrister having
a copy of the "sacred volume" in his chambers was really too absurd
for belief.
The preamble charged us, in the stock language of Indictments for
Blasphemy, as may be seen on reference to Archibold, with "being
wicked and evil-disposed persons, and disregarding the laws and
religion of the realm, and wickedly and profanely devising and
intending to asperse and vilify Almighty God, and to bring the
Holy Scriptures and the Christian Religion into disbelief and contempt."
The first observation I have to make on this wordy jumble is, that
it seems highly presumptuous on the part of weak men to defend the
character of "Almighty God." Surely they might leave him to protect
himself. Omnipotence is _able_ to punish those who offend it, and
Omniscience knows _when_ to punish.
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