The National Register.
London, England, 1822-10-27 00:00:00

TUE NATIONAL REGISTER

sound, a hoax, the theatre of venality, &c. Could such passa4es
be considered a trnedelini:ion of the blessings of the constitu-
tion I Would his lea.sied diced contend that the press was
ind free unless it W2l at full lifierty to villify every thing ?
The liberty of cio pre.% could not exist without law, and the
niodieot the press obtained a victory over the law, it would
olodin a victory over itself, sod be eitioguisheiL
Ifoeatio Orton woe then esairined by Mr. Tindal.—The
witness pure used the book of Mr. Dolby, at his shop, 2UiJ,
Strand.

Cross-examined by Mr. Scarlett.—The defendant sells cari-
catures and stationery.
Did you ask for this work ?—i asked for one.
Had you sten it hefoie ?-1 had.
Did you read it thrrm,,ti ?-1 dot not read it throt4l.
Then you wished to finish your reading, I suppose ?—I
iAied from cut iosity to bee it.
Who directed you ill pureliase it ?—I was directed by the
committee of the association.

Who are the coanuittee!--1 don't recollect. I was directed
to purchase it by Mr. Ilarr4y.
Was M. Mtn ray attorney to the society ?-llc was solicitor,
nne of the ell 11111litte, and secretary.
Did you ever receive pay from him?—Never.
11 ho paid you!—The society.
'low much a week ?—1 nesee had pay by the week ; by the
year.
When did you receive it last ?—Al.cout a month no.
N 1 hat was your ?
[here the witness appealed to Judge whether he was bound
to answer the question.]
The Lord CliierJust:se said there was no reason why he
should not answer it.

The witness then stated that be did not wish the public to
know what he received.

Mr.Se4rlcit.—llow much is it'—Eighty pounds a year.
Hate you any other eccopation?—Su. He was introduced
to the society by Mr. Shell). lie purchased the book un the
16th of Ma).
Mr. Gurney then desired to have the libels read, in which
are mentioned, Low—Any thing the Judge pleases. A itais
Sp•ech—A few unmeaning sent, nc,s. Me.,ioy of Parliament
—A meeting of persons to augment public miseries, and
scramble for the spoil. l'at:iement, fee.—A house of in-
fante.

Mr. Scarlett then addressed the Jury for the defendant.—
Ile adverted to the objection be had made before the Jury
were sworn. Ile took the objection ft ton the best motives.—
Ile then expressed a hope that .be Jury cam. to the box with
unbiassed minds, Ili, learned friend had selected a w pas-
sages from t: e book to pro' • the wickedness of the
but be had not said one word to explain to them w ho Mr.
Doty was. if indeed this book bad deserved the obseria-
lion his learned friend expressed, it was extraordinary that
his Majesty's Attorney•Getieral and the Coust4utional Associ-
ation had *dream.' it to remain so long dormant. With respect
to the hook containing libels, it was well known that scarcely
any satirical work would be found that ittiOtt not be made the
subject of prosecuion for Mods, if persons were disposed to
examine closely. The works of Swift, Lord Chesterfield,
Dr. Johnson, and Pope, were written in the general spirit of
satire ; lint did any our accuse these authors of an intention to
overturn the constitution. Speaking of the juriaprudeuce of
the country Pupe bas said—
" And Judges hang,
That Jurymen may dine."
Was Mr. Pope minsid. real a libeller in consequence of these
lines, or did any one ever .say his intention ass to thing the
Judges into contenqb. Dr. Johnson had said " oats a• ere
food for men in Scothand, and horses in England," and did any
one eba > e him w itit a on all the people of Scotland ?
The Lord Chief Justice., in his address to the Jury, de-
clared that the work in his opinion was a libel, but be left them
to exercise their own judgmeut on the question.
The Jury retired from the box, and having been out two
hours and a half, retaroed at five minutes after feu o'clock
with a verdict of guilty.