“But what are we to do against powder and petroleum, then ? What men may do; not what poisonous beasts may. If a wretch spit in your face, will you answer by spitting in his ? – if he throw vitriol at you, will you go to the apothecary for a bigger bottle ?

There is no physical crime at this day, so far beyond pardon, - so without parallel in its untempted guilt, as the making of war-machinery, and invention of mischievous substance. Two nations go mad, and fight like harlots – God have mercy on them; - you, who hand them carving-knives off the table, for leave to pick up a dropped six-pence, what mercy is there for you ?

We are so humane, forsooth, and so wise; and our ancestors had tar-barrels for witches; we will have them for everybody else, and drive the witches’ trade ourselves, by daylight; we will have our cauldrons, […] and sell hell-fire in the open street.”

Fors Clavigera (Letter Seven: Charitas, Denmark Hill, 1st July 1871)

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