Chastisement Across the Ages32

Judgment, however, went against him, as might have been expected. The Magistrate expressed no wish to “crush him out of existence,” but decided — unconsciously using a phrase of Wildman’s own — that what he needed was a “sharp lesson,” which he was going to get. “He must learn that he is not the world’s Messiah in this matter,” declared the Magistrate, whose first impulse had been to impose a fine of one thousand pounds. When assured by counsel that Wildman could not possibly pay such a sum, he lessened the sentence to an alternative of five hundred pounds payable within six months, or a year in gaol. Further, Wildman’s small adopted daughter was removed from his “care,” and the plan — almost completed — for the adoption of another child was cancelled forthwith. The future of Wildman, and the possible renewal of his activities in another form, remain at the time of writing an enigma.