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It is obviously impossible to cover fully so great a subject within the limits of a series of magazine articles; but by confining attention mainly to cases in which the conflict between the sovereign and the subject has been fought out in trials for treason and sedition and criminal libel, it will be possible, by con fining explanatory matter and comment

Liberty of opinion is the last and best fruit of just government. "Other liberties," as Erskine said in defence of Thomas Paine, "are held under governments, but the liberty of opinion keeps governments themselves in due subjection to their duties. This has pro duced the martyrdom of truth in every age; and the world has only been purged from

ANNE BOLEYN.

within narrow limits, to glance at the lead ing cases during the last four centuries. The sketch will be continued beyond the adop tion of the Federal Constitution on account of the intrinsic interest of the later trials, and their Instructive lessons in dealing with con ditions which still prevail.

ignorance with the innocent blood of those who have enlightened it." Milton truly said that it is not to be supposed that no griev ance should arise in the commonwealth; "but when complaints are freely heard, deeply considered, and speedily reformed, then is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained that