The Governor
tendered me half a sovereign, the highest sum a prisoner can earn.
"Thank you," I said, "but I can't take their money." We had to go
through the farce.
In the little gate-house I met Mr. Bradlaugh, Mrs. Besant, and my wife.
Colonel Milman wished us good-bye, the gate opened, and a mighty shout
broke from the huge crowd outside. From all parts of London they had
wended in the early morning to greet me, and there they stood in their
thousands. Yet I felt rather sad than elated. The world was so full
of wrong, though the hearts of those men and women beat so true!
As our open carriage crawled through the dense crowd I saw men's
lips twitching and women shedding tears. They crowded round us,
eager for a shake of the hand, a word, a look. At length we got free,
and drove towards the Hall of Science, followed by a procession of
brakes and other vehicles over half a mile long.
There was a public breakfast, at which hundreds sat down. I took a
cup of tea, but ate nothing. After a long imprisonment I could not
trust my stomach, and I had to make a speech.
After Mr. Bradlaugh, Mrs. Besant and the Rev. W. Sharman (secretary
of the Society for the Repeal of the Blasphemy Laws), had made speeches,
which I should blush to transcribe, I rose to respond. It was a
ticklish moment. But I found I had a voice still, and the words
came readily enough. Concluding my address I said: "I thank you
for your greeting.
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