The three trials of William Hone : for publishing three parodies; viz. The late John Wilke's catechism, The political litany, and The Sinecurist's creed; on three ex-officio informations, at Guildhall, London, during three successive days, December 18, 19, & 20, 1817; before three specialjuries, and Mr. Justice Abbott, on the first day, and Lord Chief Justice Ellenborough, on the last two days.
- Hone, William, 1780-1842.
- Date:
- 1818
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: The three trials of William Hone : for publishing three parodies; viz. The late John Wilke's catechism, The political litany, and The Sinecurist's creed; on three ex-officio informations, at Guildhall, London, during three successive days, December 18, 19, & 20, 1817; before three specialjuries, and Mr. Justice Abbott, on the first day, and Lord Chief Justice Ellenborough, on the last two days. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.
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![It cannot be necessaiy to Christian minds to reason on the baneful effect of such a publication as the Defendant’s. If any of you, Gentle- men bo fathers, and wish your children to hold in reverence the sacred subjects of Christian belief, read these publications of the De- fendant, and say if you woidd put them into the hands of those children you love. If you would not put them into their hands, would you into those of the lower classes of society, which are not fit to cope with the sort of topics which are artfully raised for them? I ask you, if it be possible, that aft^r such publications are thus cheaply thrown among this class of people, they can, with the same degree of reverence that becomes the subject, look at the contents of the Sacred Book of our belief? Nay, even in better cultivated minds, the firmness of moral rectitude is shaken,’ and it often becomes ne- cessary to make great mental exertion to shake off the influence of these productions, and recal the mind to a true feeling towards sacred trntlis. They are inevitably calculated to weaken the reverence felt for the Christian faith. It may be said that the Defendant’s object was not to produce this effect—I believe that he meant it, in one sense, as a political squib, but his responsibility is not the less, for he has parodied The Catechism in terms which it is impossible to. be- lieve can have any other effect than'that of bringing it into con- tempt. The publication is called Catechism; that is to say, an Instruction to be learned of every person before’ he be brought to be confirmed a Placeman or Pensioner by the Minister.” The Jury will see these are the very words of the original in parody. Again, 'pie^Apostles' Creed is also in complete parody. We say, “ I believe in Lrod,” &c. &c.; here he says, “ I believe in George, the Jlegent Almighty, Maker of New Streets, and Knight of the Bath; and in the present Ministry, his only choice, who were conceived of To- ryism, brought forth of Wm. Pitt, suffered loss of place under Charles James Pox; were execrated, dead, and buried. In a few months they rose again^ from their Minority; they re-ascended the Treasury Benches, and sit at the right hand of a little man in a large wig; fiom whence they laugh at the petitions of the people who pray for Reform, and tliat the sweat of their brow may proenre them bread.” I he Ten Commandments are also parodied, and divided precisely ill the same manner as the rest of the publication, for the purpose of keeping the whole resemblance more complete. The child is sup- posed to be examined precisely as it is laid down in the 2d chapter of Txodus, of course parodied. He answers, as to the promise of be- lief his sponsors made for him— which the Minister for the time being always obliges all his creatures to swear. I, the Minister, am the Lord thy liege, who broi^ht thee out of want and beggary into the House of Commons.” [Here, an expression of feeling was manifested by some individuals ol the crowd in the Hall of the Court.] Mr. Justice Abbott—If there is any body present of so light a disposition as to think that a matter of this kind should be made a sub- .lect of laughter, at least he shall learn that he shall not come here to interrupt those who arc of a graver disposition, and in the discharge of an important duty. Ihe Attorxey-Gexbuai. —My Lord, if there be 411 y p rson here](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b28406321_0011.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
