Q. Do you think that all nations as they advance in philosophy and towards a true knowledge of Nature, will become Republics? -A. Yes, and the sooner the better, for no nation can be long together either happy or virtuous under a Monarchical Government, and kingdoms are nearly always tormented with external or internal wars and Kingly broils, which can only be settled by bullets and steel; and there can be but little if any real good arise from any system when its fundamental principles are not consistent with the laws of Nature.

Q. Are there many in Britain who are favourable to Republicanism?-A. Yes, there are a great number, but they are very tardy in speaking their sentiments to their neighbours and those who are continually around them, on account of persecution. Two years ago there were but few; however, I know the increase since that time has been very considerable, particularly in Scotland and the North of England."

TO MR. RICHARD CARLILE, DORCHESTER GAOL.

DEAR SIR, Edinburgh, March 25, 1822. I AM Sorry to learn that your shop has been again plundered, and your property seized by your enemies, we have had a meeting here in consequence, and have collected a little to assist you in bearing up against your adversaries, as you will learn more fully by another communication. I have sent you another part of a Critical Enquiry into the Harmony of the Gospels. If you think this worthy of a place in "The Republican" you may insert it; perhaps it will set some people a thinking, and draw forth something better from some abler pen, and by that means excite rational enquiry, which is sure to promote Deism. I beg you will print another edition of your Quotations from the Bible, with some addition, like a small pamphlet, with the verses at full length, there are hundreds who would read them in that way who will never take the trouble of seeking out the verses in the Bible, you do it not we will print them here but we rather wish you to do it, you are entitled to a preference, with admiration of your exertions and best respects for yourself and your family. I am, Sir, your sincere friend,

if

R. A.

A Critical Enquiry into the Harmony of the Gospels continued.

IN reading over Luke's narrative (ch. ii. ver. 22--38) we see when Jesus was presented in the temple, two persons came in who deserve some attention, first Simeon, who pretends to pro

phecy, and says, that Jesus was "set for the fall and rising again of many in Israel," Was he set for the fall of many? He said also that a sword should pierce through Mary's soul; Was it ever so? What did he mean? His prophecy was so clear, that even Joseph and Mary who heard him did not understand him, then how can we? They marvelled at him! so may we. The second is Anna, a widow of eighty-four years who had lived with a husband seven years from her virginity. What means that? but wonderful as it appears, she served God night and day with fasting and prayer! Did she fast night and day? Strange, if so, she would take no sustenance at all! Is it possible? This is wonderful, but it is the Lord's word, and who can doubt it! but if fasting is meritorious, many of very profligate lives serve God in that way. We are told (Matt. ch. iii. ver. 5, and Mark ch. i. ver. 5) that Jerusalem* and all Judea went out to John the Baptist, and were baptized by him in Jordan. Can we believe this? That they all went out and were baptized. It is nearly impossible that a whole nation could be baptized by one man, at one place, and at least improbable; when we know that many of them despised or hated him. Did the High Priest, and all the Priests and Rulers go out? Pharisees, Sadducees, Essenes, and all! This is strange! Were it not the Lord's word, who would believe it.

If several authors write the life of any individual, we do not expect that they will use the same words in the narrative, it is only expected that the substance of their relation shall be the same without contradicting one another; but if these authors profess to give a speech or discourse which the person made, they ought to use the very same words which he spoke, or else it is not correct, it is not his speech, but their own manufacture. Now, besides the apparent contradiction in the narratives of the four Evangelists, they differ éssentially both in words and substance, in the speeches which they put into the mouth of Jesus Christ, and also of the other persons who act a part in these transactions, the instances are too many to be quoted, but whoever will compare them will find they are almost all different.

There is also a particular discordance among the four Evangelists in their accounts of the place, where these discourses are said to have been spoken. Discourses which one of them says Jesus spake at a certain place, and to a certain audience, another says he spoke at a different place, and to quite a different suit of hearers. The words which one of them says he spoke to a certain person, another in relating it gives us quite différent words.

There is also the utmost confusion among these authors in the order in which they relate events to have taken place, what one relates as transacted at one time and place, another places at quite a different time, events which one author places near the beginning of Christ's ministry, another places near the end of it; and the others still different, if they notice it at all. The accounts

of his journies are as discordant as his words, when one author has him going to one place, another has him going to a different place, and his actions are as beautifully varied in the narratives as either his words or his journeys.

This List was not received when the Correspondence was printed.

EDITOR.

Printed and Published by R. CARLILE, 55, Fleet Street. All Communications (post paid) are requested to be sent to Dorchester Gaol, until a further Ad. dress to some House or Shop be given.-Orders, with remittances, or references for payment, will be punctually attended to. Country Agents will find the most liberal Terms for prompt Payment.

The Republican.

No. 16. Vol. V.] LONDON, FRIDAY, April 19, 1822. [PRICE 6d.

TO THE REPUBLICANS OF THE ISLAND OF GREAT BRITAIN.

CITIZENS,

Dorchester Gaol, April 16,. Year 3, of the Spanish Revolution. THERE is now scarce a doubt remaining but that the Russians are waiting only for the approach of summer to open their campaign against Turkey. Nothing positive is yet stated, but from all that is insinuated, the question of war is no longer doubtful. Let us rejoice at this measure, for it must accelerate all our expectations. There will be a grand movement in the South of Europe, the moment it is seen that Russia and Turkey are at blows in earnest. I sincerely wish them equal strength, a long struggle, and a mutual exhaustion. As this will be a war among fanatics and slaves, the longer it is continued, and the more direful its effects to each other, the more important will be the consequence to the philosophic and philanthropic part of mankiud. For myself I can say, that I should not be sorry to see the Mahometans penetrate to St. Petersburgh and Vienna; although I fear there is more danger of the Russian Autocrat's getting to Constantinople.

There is nothing passing at home worthy of mention, except it be resemblances of the Irish disposition spreading among the suffering classes of this country. Every thing as to change is a matter of complete uncertainty: except it be the gradual or rather rapid change of property. Castlereagh will never quit the wreck whilst he can keep his head above water, and live on the remains of the ship's provi

sions.

Perhaps, it will amuse you to be informed that in the new Temple of Reason my publications are sold by CLOCK WORK!! In the shop is the dial on which is written every publication for sale: the purchaser enters and turns the hand of the dial to the publication he wants, when, on de

Printed and Published by R. CARLILE, 55, Fleet Street.

positing his mouey, the publication drops down before him. There is now scarce an occasion for speaking. This is the best description I can give you of the matter at present; but I understand it answers perfectly well, and the interest excited is again nearly equal to what it was at 55, Fleet Street, before the King became jealous of my prosperity and growing power, and, king-like, made war upon me in violation of all former treaties.

I must lay aside all other matters this week to give you some news from Dorchester Gaol, and to shew you how our Keeper has out-Bridled Bridle during an alarm of fire.

On Thursday evening, the 11th inst. a stack of chimnies, in this Gaol burst forth in a violent blaze, and created no small degree of alarm. The prisoners had just been locked up for the night, and as the fire broke out in the same wing of the Gaol in which my sister was confined, and as a small chimney in her cell formed one of the stack, she had a most narrow escape of suffocation. The manner in which she was locked and bolted up left her not a crevice for air but what came through the chimney, and the moment the fire began to blaze, a column of smoke poured down upon her, that almost deprived her of her senses. A bolted wooden door, and a locked iron grated door, were opposed to her escape. There were four women in the same wing of the prison, with her, but not one on the same floor, and she was the only one of the five who was locked up in a cell, as there are very heavy iron gates at the end of each passage which are always locked; and although the other women, who are chiefly convicted felons, could, at a moment's call, assist each other, yet no one could come to my sister but the Keeper or Turnkeys. By some unaccountable exertions she wrenched open her inner door which was bolted on the outer side, and admitted air sufficient to prevent suffocation: by the time she had accomplished this, and was nearly exhausted with smoke, fright, and screaming, the general cry of fire throughout the Gaol brought the very humane Keeper to her cell-door. But he came not to

appease her agonized feelings. His first salute was: "Oh! damn you! it is you then, is it, that have set fire to the Prison." The brute never offered to release her from such a perilous situation, although the smoke and fire came pouring down the chimney in the most terrific manner, and every locked up prisoner in the place was yelling and howling for release. No, he passed on without giving her the least hope of safety, and gave loose to the most savage pas