In the following July I went into the shop of Mr. Edward Truelove, 256, High Holborn, in search of some Comtist publications, having come across his name as a publisher in the course of my study at the British Museum.  On the counter was a copy of the National Reformer, and, attracted by the title, I bought it.  I read it placidly in the omnibus on my way to Victoria Station, and found it excellent, and was sent into convulsions of inward merriment when, glancing up, I saw an old gentleman gazing at me, with horror speaking from every line of his countenance.  To see a young woman, respectably dressed in crape, reading an Atheistic journal, had evidently upset his peace of mind, and he looked so hard at the paper that I was tempted to offer it to him, but repressed the mischievous inclination.

This first copy of the paper with which I was to be so closely connected bore date July 19, 1874, and contained two long letters from a Mr. Arnold of Northampton, attacking Mr. Bradlaugh, and a brief and singularly self-restrained answer from the latter.  There was also an article on the National Secular Society, which made me aware that there was an organisation devoted to the propagandism of Free Thought.  I felt that if such a society existed, I ought to belong to it, and I consequently wrote a short note to the editor of the National Reformer, asking whether it was necessary for a person to profess Atheism before being admitted to the Society.  The answer appeared in the National Reformer:—­

“S.E.—­To be a member of the National Secular Society it is only necessary to be able honestly to accept the four principles, as given in the National Reformer of June 14th.  This any person may do without being required to avow himself an Atheist.  Candidly, we can see no logical resting-place between the entire acceptance of authority, as in the Roman Catholic Church, and the most extreme Rationalism.  If, on again looking to the Principles of the Society, you can accept them, we repeat to you our invitation.”

I sent my name in as an active member, and find it is recorded in the National Reformer of August 9th.  Having received an intimation that Londoners could receive their certificates at the Hall of Science from Mr. Bradlaugh on any Sunday evening, I betook myself thither, and it was on August 2, 1874, that I first set foot in a Freethought hall.  The Hall was crowded to suffocation, and, at the very moment announced for the lecture, a roar of cheering burst forth, a tall figure passed swiftly up the Hall to the platform, and, with a slight bow in answer to the voluminous greeting, Charles Bradlaugh took his seat.  I looked at him with interest, impressed and surprised.  The grave, quiet, stern, strong face, the massive head, the keen eyes, the magnificent breadth and height of forehead—­was this the man I had heard described as a blatant agitator, an ignorant demagogue?