It produced, however, of course, no effect on the resolve
of the House. The Speaker communicated to Mr. Bradlaugh that the House was not inclined, in consequence of anything it had heard, to modify its resolution, as previously communicated to him, not to permit him to take either the oath or the affirmation ; and Mr. Bradlaugh, insisting on his right to take the oath, and refusing to withdraw at the Speaker's bidding, he was ordered into custody, on the motion of Sir S. Northcote, by a majority of 274 against 7. On Thursday, Sir S. Northcote,—perhaps aware that he was committing a blunder in making a martyr of Mr. Bradlaugh,—moved for his discharge, and we do not yet know whether Mr. Bradlaugh will resist the Speaker's orders again. Anyhow, he will sit like a nightmare on the House of Commons. They cannot expel him till he has been permitted to take his seat. The true course is now to pass a Bill legalis- ing the affirmation of atheists and agnostics. But will either House pass such a Bill P And even if the Commons pass it, would the Lords ? There is an insane desire to confer on avowed atheists the glory of political martyrdom.
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