… Macbeth,' Studies: An Irish Quarterly Review, (vol. 43, n° 172, 1954), p. 421–430. ‘The British Inquisition’ Debating Society Hence, claiming a public role not usually allowed to actors, Macklin opened ‘The British Inquisition’ in 1753, … Literature, Criticism, Philosophy, History, Politics, and Morality, as shall be found useful and entertaining to society,’ were there to ‘be lectured upon, and freely debated’ (Straub 401). 10 In the Tavern, after a dinner, Macklin … with the audience would follow. ‘The British Inquisition’ failed in 1757 and Macklin’s ideal of an egalitarian debating society welcoming women and people from all walks of life, with even 800 people attending his dinner the first night in …