2l6 MEMOIR OF THOMAS BEWICK. 



mighty Inquisition, held under the denomination 

 of "the Constitutional Association." These men 

 the secret admirers of " The Holy Alliance" may 

 more properly be called the suppressors and 

 dreaders of truth. Acting, indeed, under the 

 mask of advocating the cause of religion and 

 liberty, but in reality in lurking enmity to the 

 latter, and to all free enquiry and investigation, 

 they have arrogated to themselves the power of 

 punishing a man for his unbiased opinions, even 

 on subjects which do not militate against good 

 morals, or against the happiness of society ; thus 

 taking the power out of the hands of the national 

 authorities, as if they were unfit and insufficient 

 to do their duty. A House of Commons ought 

 to see this with indignation, and this self-erected 

 Inquisition should be invited to answer truth with 

 truth, as well as they can ; leaving the world to 

 judge of the question and how it stands between 

 them and the parties they ruin by their persecu- 

 tions. 



When men break through laws, made with care 

 for the good government of the community, they 

 ought, as at present, to forfeit their liberty, and 

 in some cases their lives. Murderers ought to be 

 given to the surgeons, and perhaps some other 

 criminals also, but those, I think, who have be- 

 trayed the innocent, and robbed the fatherless 

 children and widow, are no longer fit to live in 

 civilised society, they ought to be sent to live 

 with savages in the back settlements, to have 

 their backs tatooed with hieroglyphics, expressive 

 of their crimes. 



It has often been a matter of surprise, in the 

 circle of my friends, that criminals are not trans- 



