The Sun.
London, England, 1839-02-28 00:00:00

CANADA.

Sir R. PEEL wished to ask the Noble Lord what
course he proposed to pursue with respect to the Bill for
the future Government of the Canadas. He had under-
stood the Noble Lord to say be would introduce the Bill
before Easter, but would postpone the second read-
ing till after Easter. He wished to know whether
the Noble Lord intended to fix the second reading for
an early day after Easter, or whether be intended to
communicate with the Government of Canada before
proposing the second reading.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL had certainly stated
it was his wish to introduce the Bill be.
fore Easter, and still hoped he might be
enabled to do so, though at this moment he could not
say confidently that the Bill would be introduced before
Easter. It was not intended to propose the second
reading immediately after Easter ; nor was it proposed
to allow sufficient time to elapse for communication with
Canada. The second reading would not come on for
at least three weeks after Easter.
Sir ROBERT PEEL—Does the Noble Lord con-
template actual legislation on the subject of the govern-
ment of the two provinces ?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL—Yes.
?Zr. HUME wished to ask whether the Government
intended to lay on the table of the House all the docu-
ments respecting Canada.
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said the correspondence
relating to Lord Durham's Report would be laid on the
table to-morrow or next day.
Mr. HUME—There is Sir Francis Head's cor-
respondence.
Mr, LABOUCHERE said that was in a state of
preparation, and would be shortly laid on the table of
the House,
Mr. O'CONELL, seeing the Under Secretary of
State for the Colonies iP bis place, wished to know
whether any step was intended
to bo taken to stop the
effusion of blood in Canada. The insurrect:9n bad been
put an end to, but the effusion of blood continued.
LABOUCHERE considered that the language
of the Hon, and Learned Member was rather dispropor-
tinned to the real facts of the case.—(Hear, hear,
hear, from the Opposition side of the House.)
The moment that he had entered upon the duties
of the office which he had now the honour to fill, be bad
taken the first opportunity of inquiring the number

•f persons who had suffered capital punishment,
and he had been informed that the great effusion of blood
to which the Hon. and Learned Member had referred
comprised sixteen persons, who had been executed in
Upper Canada, and (as we understood the Right Hon.
Gent.) seventeen in Lower Canada, all of whom had been
convicted of most atrocious crimes. He (Mr. L.) felt
bound to make this statement, because he thought it
was extremely improper that the assertions, that blood
had flowed to any great extent in those colonies, should
go forth to the world without explanation. In making
the statement he had done, he begged it to be understood
that he entertained feelings of the deepest regret that
it should have been considered necessary that a single
human being should have suffered capital punishment ;
but after what had been stated by the Hon. and Learned
Gentleman he could not refrain from making the state-
ments he had done. He begged also to state that
the Government had not the slightest reason to think
that the discretion which had been given to Sir
John Colborne had been exercised without a due regard
to humanity.
Mr. O'CONNELL considered after the manner
in which he had been assailed, that he had a right
to say that an effusion of blood had taken place.
The Right Honourable Gentleman seemed to think
that the death of sixteen persons by the hand; of the
law was not an effusion of blood. Now, he (Mr.
O'Connell) was of opinion, that the death of one per-
son beyond the number of one was an effusion of blood.
Mr. HU AIE trusted after the conversation that had
taken place that there would be no objection to the Re-
turns which he was to have moved for yesterday of the
names of persons imprisoned in Lower and Upper Ca-
nada, charged with treason or offenees of a treasonable
nature since the Ist of November, 1837, their trade or
profession, the day of the commencement of their impri-
sonment, the date of their discharge, the amount of hail
and personal security demanded and given, and if tried,
by what tribunal, and the sentence passed upon them,
and if sentence of death passed, whether executed or com-
muted, and if commuted, the commutation of the punish-
ment. After a few observations from the Hon. Member
the Return was agreed to.
LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND.

Mr. HUME gave notice that on Friday, in the Com-
mittee of Supply he should move—" That an humble
Address be presented to her Majesty, praying that her
Majesty will be graciously pleased to consider whether
the office of Viceroy in Ireland may not be dispensed
with, consistently with advantage to that country and
the general interests of the United Kingdom."
Mr. Sergeant TALFOURD presented several peti-
tions from different literary individuals, in favour of the
Copyright Bill. Among those literary persons were
Mr. Wordsworth, Dr. James Thomson, Dr. Chalmers,
Mr. Lockhart, and Mr. Dickens.
Upon the question of the Order of the Day for the
second reading of the Copyright Bill,
Sir JAMES GRAHAM stated that he wished to
put a question to the Right Hon. Baronet the Presi-
dent of the Board of Control relative to the treaty en-
tered .into between the Governor-General and the
Shah of Persia. He wished to know whether there
would be any objection to lay that treaty upon the table
of the House ?
Sir JOHN HOBHOUSE said that not only had
he no objection to lay the treaty upon the table of the
House, but he was also desirous to lay the other papers
connected with that treaty upon the table of the
House. The selection of those papers would require a
considerable degree of care, and it might be some time
before they could be produced.
LUNATIC ASYLUMS.

Mr. BARNABY wished to know whether the Noble
Lord afterwards had made up bis mind as to the course
he would pursue relative to the motion of which he had
given notice relative to Lunatic Asylums ?
Lord JOHN RUSSELL said that he had referred
the question to the law officers of the Crown.
Mr. BARNABY said, that such being the case, be
would postpone his motion for a weak.
Sir F. TRENCH postponed his motion relative to
lighting the House to Friday.
COPYRIGHT BILL.
_ _ _

Mr. Serjeant TALFOURD then rose for the pur-
pose of moving the second reading of the Copyright Bill.
The Learned Gentleman said—Sir, after the attention
this House has paid in previous Sessions to the interests
of literature, as affected by the Law of Copyright, an
attention which the petitions that I have laid upon the
table shows to be well merited, I feel bound in the dis-
charge of my duty to state the precise position in which
the question stands, and the materials on which the
House must act. The question to be decided is this—
whether the present term of copyright is sufficient for
the purposes of justice, or whether the statements in
the petitions which I have presented, are true or
are not true. Those petitions are coma from some of
the most distinguished ornaments of the literature of the
day. The Bill, though unsupported, passed tranquilly
through the House ; it was passing, without a shadow of
opposition, until the demise of the Crown stopped its pro-
gress, and it was necessarily abandoned for that Session.
In the meantime some eminent publishers had disco-
vered, or thought that they had discovered, that the
operation of certain clauses in the Bill, by which it was
proposed to give authors an extension of their interest in
the copyright of their own works, would be incompatible
with their interests—one eminent amongst themselves
—one who had amassed considerable wealth in the book.
selling trade, Mr. Tegg came to their assistance. I am ex.
ceedingly glad that he is now a petitioner before this House,
He petitioned against the Bill, along with other eminent
houses in the trade, they were joined by compositors,
by pressmen, by bookbinders and others, who all thought
the extension of the time of the copyright remaining
with the author would have the effect of paralyzing the
trade in which they are engaged. At that time the
Bill was passing through the House ; but the state of
public business, and the sort of opposition with which
the Bill was threatened, would have required a larger
expenditure of time than either the House or myself
could afford, and it was accordingly withdrawn for that
Session. It is now upon the table of your House again.
I was very desirous of so altering the Bill, that I might
have been enabled to have disarmed the opposition of
the booksellers ; but finding that it was an impossible
work, I thought it better at once to give it up, and
strike out the clause. There are petitions before the
House on both sides, and I will fearlessly ask any
Member of the House to compare those in favour of
the Bill, with those on the other side, which I must
acknowledge to be much more numerous. I have read
carefully over the whole of the petitions presented on
the subject during the last Session of Parliament, and
it is strange that those from the compositors, booksel-
lers, pressmen and others, contain no information with
but one exception. I say so, Sir, because all the com-
plaints made by the eminent booksellers, were made
against the retrospective clause. That clause I have
removed from the Bill, and of course they have now no-
thing to complain of. The petitions, then, of the emi-
nent booksellers may be taken to have been withdrawn,
at all events as that part of the Bill to which they
related has been omitted, the petitions go for nothing.
There, now then, Sir, only remains the petition of the
master printers, of the pressmen, the petition of the com-
positors, the petition of the bookbinders, and of the assist.
ants of all those classes ; but I think it will be easy for
me to show that those parties have entirely mistaken the
question—that they are not acquainted with its bearings,
and that the present Bill will in no way whatever injure
or affect in any way their interests. These persons,
whose petitions have been thus presented to this Home
are not in a situation to from an opinion that is intitled
to much consideration. They are persons following
mechanical operations, connected with literature, who
are under the guidance of others—who are not ac-
quainted with any peculiar facts—and who, like our-
selves, are mere speculators as to what to consider may
be the probable results of this measure. They do not
mention one single fact ; they merely state that it is their
opinion that fewer books will be printed, fewer reams of
paper used, should this Bill pass into a law, and that all
these departments of trade will suffer a sudden para-
lysis. But they do not state one single fact which can
warrant them in coming to such a conclusion. The fact
is, that the trade underwent a much greater change in
the year 1814, when the copyright had been extended
from 14 years to 28 years. The measure of 1814,
when it was first proposed, had met with quite as great
opposition as the present measure, from the same class
of persons, but not one of these fears have been rea-
lized. There is no press unoccupied that lam aware
of, and since the year 1814 books have multiplied ; and
in consequence of the increased number of readers, the
books have increased in number, whilst at the
same time, they have become cheaper in consequence.
But there is Doe of the petitions which have been
presented to this House on the subject, which contains
an allegation so curious, that I trust the House will
bear with me awhile if I draw their attention more mi-
nutely to this subject. The petition to which I allude,
was the one presented by the Hon. Member for Rib.
kenny, and purports to be the petition agreed on
at a meeting of compositors, pressmen, and others, held
at the Mechanics' institution in Southampton-buildings,
and after the usual statements regarding cheap books, it
stated that the books to which at present the law did
trashyth and
em
not
meretriciousa ff r d
character,
whose
authorschiefly
in a vain hope of attaining immortal fame. Now when
those
h a ofd written a
it is recollected that the works to which I more parti-
cularly alluded as requiring greater protection than law
at present affords them. and which these gentlemen de-
signate as works of a dasily and meretricious character,
are the works of Coleridge and Wordswoyth, and of
Sir W. Scott, I think it will be admitted that these ge4.
tien3ee have read these cheap books to very little pur-
pose, or rather that they wasted their time by • reading
books which must be considered dear at any price.
But, Sir, just observe the extreme folly of this argil-
meat. Supposing the protection of this Bill were asked
for trashy and meretricious:publications, it is impossible
tbev could be prote,-,4,ed hy it. How many of them
would survive the term of 11 Yearsi There would Le.
rpanya brilliant succession of works "to blaze, to sparkle,
and to dip" in the meantime. The printing presses
would be occupied all the whiles and in fact the appre-
hensions of these pedtiOners are as absurd as those of
the nervous remainder man, who was terribly frightened

5.--

when told that the tenant had granted a lease for 999 i descendants. I will read a little portion of a petition
years—overlooking the slight proviso, " if he should which was presented from Mr. Smith, an eminent book-.
live so long."—(A laugh.) Just as certain as that the seller of Glasgow, whose father and forefathers had been
decay of the body would result it: natural death—just as in the trade in that town for upwards of 100 years.
certain was it that. these trashy productions would die Mr. Smith differs a little from me, as he thinks this
away in their sparkling and giddy course, doing good to copyright ought to be perpetual, and wishes for some
the printers, and nobody else ; and they would expire restriction upon the assignment of copyrights, which I
long before the close of the present term of copyright. have not thought it right to put into my Bill. This simple
—( Hear.) Sir, the petitioners go on to say that " the statement of Mr. Smith's may well be put in contrast with
present high profits of authors are an ample return the inflated statementsof Mr. Tegg. It must be borne in
for the time employed in the composition of their mind that Mr. Smith is not a purchaser of copyrights—
works." Sir, this is rather modest—for these compo- he purchases editions ; and he states in his petition,
sitors to estimate the trials and anxieties of an that while the booksellers could transmit their property
author's life—all his fond hopes—all his partial fail- to their heirs and posterity, the author, who was
ures—all his agonising struggles—it is surely arrogant the sole creator of the property, was shut out, and could
for these petitioners to judge of what they can know do no such thing. It is remarkable, that in the peti-
nothing about. They go on to say that works will not tions that come from Scotland upon this subject, they
be rendered more valuable by this Bill—not more are joined in by all parties. To the one petition were
valuable to the seller perhaps, but infinitely more attached the names of Dr. Chalmers and Dr. Wardlaw.
valuable to the author. It is a remarkable fact that Dr. Wardlaw, the Chief of Dissent in Scotland, joins
every distinguished author who has petitioned the Dr. Chalmers in this cause, although he is the zealous
House in favour of this Bill has a copyright entirely Apostle of the Scottish Church. I could not see the
unassigned—not having sold any part of it. But if in petition signed by such eminent names without recoi-
truth works will not be rendered more valuable the letting an incident which occurred to lee a few days
public cannot be the losers. Well, Sir, after these ago. I was waited upon by a great-grandson of the late
general statements then comes this rather curious ob- Dr. Doddridge, in a state of most pitiable distress. Dr.
servation—" that the profits derived from a book de- Doddridge was one of the idols of the religious world—
pend not upon the art of writing, but the art of print- his works have been multiplied by thousands and mil-
ing—because, but for the facilities of improved mecha- lions, yet one of his descendants was obliged to ask for
nical arrangements, the number of copies diffused the charitable aid of strangers. One single shilling
would be less, and at a high price, so that the profits upon even one of the Doctor's most celebrated
would be less, and it is unjust for authors to endeavour works would have prevented the almost immediate
to injure the profession to which they are entitled for descendant from the necessity of making such a distress-
the value of the works." Sir, if this claim was made ing appeal. Upon this state of facts, Sir, I have to
upon behalf of the original inventors of printing, I ask the judgment of the House ; but before I sit down
should remind them that thought and genius existed allow me to anticipate some objection with which I may
long before their art, and not at all undervaluing the be met. Some Gentlemen may tell the House that
aid of that art, the idea of their assuming a superior or they appear not for this class or that class—that they
even an equal share in the glory of authors, is as absurd appear not for compositors, not for pressmen, or for
as if the manufacturers of bayonets and gunpowder by bookbinders, but for the public—that he felt bound to
which some great battle was contested should dispute oppose the Bill because it cannot fail to increase the
with the conqueror the triumph of the day, because but price of books, and that such an increase of the price
for them it could not have been won.—(Cheers.) of books must be injurious to the public. In the first
Sir, I cannot help remarking that I hope there is some- place, Sir, lam not sure that the mere diffusion of
thing in this world more valuable even than knowledge. cheap books is such a benefit to the public as many
It might be as well for these petitioners to recollect persons seem to suppose ; but granting that it is so—
what they owe to one individual—to recollect how granting, to the utmost degree, that cheap books are a
many presses have been set in motion—how many fa- benefit to the public, where is the evidence that books
milies have been comforted and enriched—how much must become more dear in consequence of an extension
activity spread through all the branches of their trade of the copyright ?—where, I ask, is the tittle of evidence
by the efforts of one of those distinguished authors to prove that such a consequence would be the necessary
whose interests would be protected by this result of this Bill ? I defy any one to produce such evi-
Bill ; they might have seen the mind of Sir Walter dente. There was no rise in the price of books in
Scott, after burning so brightly, glimmering, and fading consequence of the partial extension which took place in
away, God forbid I should say perishing, in the midst of 1814. The Hon. Member for Finsbury, instructed by
worldly embarassments.—(Hear, hear, hear.) Sir, I Mr. Tegg, may amuse the House for a short time with
pass from these petitions, and I proceed to the facts a list of those works which by duteous attendance on the
stated by the authors who have petitioned in favour of death-beds of expiring copyrights that gentleman had
the Bill, and would•give a practical illustration of the amassed to the amount of 170,0001. ; but that would
insufficiency of the present system of copyright for justly not prove that a rise in the price of books must of ne-
rewarding the labour of authors. There is another in- cessity follow the passing of this Bill. Another author,
stance of the hardship of the present system, in the and one who has not come before this House by peti-
person of Mr. Allison, who was the son of a man tion, but who has committed his case to me—he is a
eminently esteemed in public life. Mr. Allison early in man of no mean celebrity—Dr. Southey. waited upon
life devoted himself to the bar, at which by his talent me the other evening and told me that he had just com-
and industry he had the prospect of making an honour- pleted a corrected edition of all his works, which he
able competence. But he perfected a great work on was about to publish. That corrected edition of course
the history of Europe during the French Revolution, his representatives would have the power of disposing
and being determined to devote himself most assidu- of, but those works which he had been publishing during
ously to his important undertaking, he withdrew from the the last fifty years—those works which been before the
bar, and became Sheriff of Lanarkshire, the proceeds of public for such a lengthened period, may be kept be-
which office would afford him a moderate income. fore the public with all their imperfections on their
He has spent twenty-five years on this work, and heads, and his family might be driven out of the
in pursuit of materials he has had occasion market by the bookseller representing their own impel--
to visited the principal cities in Europe. He is feet er hasty works as being the best. If a man were
now out of pocket 2,0001., partly on account of those to be tied down to every rash thought or hasty expres-
journeysand partly on account of the books which he sion to which he had ever given publication, I must say
has had occasion to purchase ; and if he lives to finish that great as is the blessing of the press there is a curse
the work his expenditure must be more than double mingled with it. But suppose that the price of books
that sum. True the copyright is his own, and he had had will not be affected, let me ask is there nothing desirable
advances from the booksellers on successive editions of it. to have but cheap books ; as education advances is the
It has been slowly and surely making its way amongst rising generation to be taught that while they are rioting
the public. But it would require the whole of the 28 in the genius and the best sayings of an author, that at
years for which he was protected before he could have that very moment the family of that author was, in
received one farthing of remuneration. But even if the consequence of the state of the law, almost deprived of
work should be completed, and should be successful bread ? Those Gentlemen who have spoken in opposi-
within 28 years, he will not receive half as much as he tion to these claims pretend that they are speaking for
might have accumulated if he had devoted himself to the people. I believe, Sir, that the people disdain
the ephemeral productions of the day. Mr. Allison such advocacy—l believe that, poor as they may
says, "if you pass this Bill—if you extend the period of be, they are too rich in soul—they love too
protection to even forty years, you will have secured in dearly that author, to whom they are indebted for those
the work a substantial provision for my children. If high delights, to be influenced by any considerations, ex-
you do not they will lose a valuable property." There cept those of conducing to the utmost of their power to
are many learned, laborious, and illustrious men now his comforts. I do not believe, Sir, that the people of
depending upon the justice of the House for a guaran- Scotland are so ungenerous as to take advantage of
tee that they shall receive from their toils that reward those cheap editions, which the competition among the
to which they are entitled. There is a distinguished publishers has recently caused to be put forth of the
Doctor in the University of St. Andrew's, the author of " Lady of the Lake,'" and the " Lay of the Last Min-
the History of the Reform in Scotland, Sir David strel," because they are a few pence cheaper than if
Brewster, who has devoted much of his valuable life to the they had been the editions emanating from the mighty
composition of works which charm and instruct the mind, minstrel himself. I cannot believe that they can so
and who will have but; a minimum of profit unless soon have forgotten the obligations which their coun-
you extend the present protection. There is also try owes to him for the immortality which he has
Dr. Thompson, Professor of Mathematics in the Uni- conferred upon it. I cannot believe but that they ex-
versity of Glasgow, who has written several valuable ele- ult in his fame, and spurn to take this ungenerous ad-
mentary text books. These books are esteemed and used vantage merely because his voice is now silent and his
in his own locality, but they are but slowly making their halls deserted.—(Cheers.) With regard to Burns, too
way into general circulation,for books of that description great a length of time has perhaps elapsed to remedy
have to contend against the prejudices of readers, and the evil, but I cannot believe that the Scottish peasant,
the opposition of booksellers, who have a property in when on the Saturday night he looks exultingly at the
existing works. They do not, therefore, come into works of his gifted fellow peasant, I cannot believe that
• general circulation for a long time. These are a few he will love the well thummed copy less because
• out of many practical instances which I could bring it may chance to have cost some sixpence more than
before you. It was with surprise, indeed, that on a these cheaper editions. There is only one other con-
former occasion I heard an Honourable Friend of mine sideration to which I will draw the attention of the
say that when once an author gives his thoughts to the House— it is a consideration which has struck the ye-
world he ceases to have a property in them. But I nerable Wordsworth, and to which he has alluded in
would ask if the toil, the capital, the waste of human the recent edition of his works, and therefore I consider
life, the sacrifice of honour and gain in other quarters, are it well worthy the attention of the Legislature. The
to be overlooked ?—if all his ambition in the hope of venerable Wordsworth says, with respect to this mea-
honourable success is to be disregarded and set down as sure, that it has his support, because one of its main
nothing ? Surely the pecuniary outlay of the author objects is, to free the literary man from his present de-
ought to be considered. But is it to be said that this grading thraldom—to release him from the degrading
property is of a nature so ethereal that it is impossible necessity which he is now under, of becoming the slave
to consider it as the subject of legislation ? I of the prevailing taste of the day, and of pandering to
will advert for a moment to a case of a dile its prejudices. Surely if it ought ever to be the object
ferent kind—to the case of a great poet, whose of the Legislature to enable literary men to emanci-
name has been introduced in connexion with this pate themselves from this thraldom, and to induce them
subject, but who has never before appeared to present to undertake works of high and mighty and influen-
his case to you as as a petitioner—l allude to Mr. tial character.—(Hear, hear.) The immensely in-
Wordsworth. Mr. Wordsworth states that he has at- creased intellectual activity of the present age, renders
tamed the seventieth year of his age—that he began it more than ever necessary that authors should
to devote himself to literature six-and-forty years ago— be rendered independent of the prevailing taste, and
that he then published his first work, and that since be enabled to undertake those works which may
that time, at various intervals he has published other immortalize themselves and benefit future ages.—(Hear,
original works. He then states, that having engaged hear.) I have been accused of attempting to legislate
and persevered in literary labours—less with the ex- upon this subject in a sentimental manner. I deny the
pectation of producing speedy effect than with a view accusation, it is an accusation much more applicable to
to instruct and benefit mankind, his works have made the petitioners against this measure, whose imagine-
their way slowly into general circulation ; and he states nations have conjured up certain spectral phantoms,
as a fact which I cannot help thinking any unprejudiced having no real existence, and to the absurd dread of
mind must feel as a most intimate and important bearing which they have become victims. If I had had asked
on the question before the House, that during the last for your aid on some frivolous subject, this accusation
four years he has received a larger remuneration for his might have been justly brought against me, but I ask
labours than during the whole course of his previous you for aid on no frivolous grounds—l ask for aid on
existence.—( Hear, hear.) These works are some of behalf of him, who, girding up himself for some great
them works, the copyright of which have expired, and literary effort, and linking day to day, and hour
if Mr. Wordsworth had been taken from his family to hour, and by continued labour, I ask that he
four years ago, the profits he has since obtained would may not when he hears, or fancies he hears the
have gone to swell the coffers of Mr. Tait. " All hail hereafter," listen to those sounds with
(Cries of Hear, hear.) What answer is to be shuddering and dread, as though he heard them
given to such a case. I know the answer before given whispered in hollow mockery, or uttered in the bitter
to it was this, " Why you have proved something accents of despair. I will not longer detain the House,
against yourself—you have shown that a man of pure but will conclude Sir, in the language of our venerable
feeling and of high intellect will devote himself thus, in petitioner Wordsworth, that justice in this, as in all
spite of scorn, and in spite of neglect, and all the other other cases, is capable, ultimately, of working out its
inconveniences that belong to hone deferred'—you own expediency. (The Hon. and Learned Member
have shown he will devote himself to the work of doing here sat down amidst loud cheering from all parts of the
good te his own time and posterity without the encou- House, which lasted some considerable time.)
ragement you seek to give him ; and therefore (it was Mr. HUME hoped that the House would not be
said), to the public it is unjust, because you can get led away by the eloquence of the Hon. and Learned
these great benefits without paying for them." Sir, I Gentleman who had just sat down. He would join in
will not stop now to inquire whether you might always all that Hon. and Learned Gentleman had said in
find in a person of such rare endowments the same praise of literary men, but he could not agree with that
small but independent resources, or whether you may Hon. and Learned Gentleman as to the necessity
find the same disposition to devote the mind to a high which he fancied to exist for the change of the leer on
and pure aim ; but I must say the argument that was this subject. If the law, as it at present heisted, was
used before, and which I heard with sorrow, is contrary such as to prevent authors from undertaking literary
to the plainest and simplest dictates of morality and works, then it might be worthy of the consideration of
justice. I should like to know whether it was ever said the House, whether they should not make sueh altera-
to some conqueror, who was about toreceive the thanks of tion in the law ns might induce authors to undertake
pu
the House, and the money of the Oh, you have those works, het every word that theoriourtaoblesiantd
no occasion to be inconvenienced with the public money, Learned Gentlenaan had said, in praise of the literary
the love of country and the glory of the profession, are men of the present day, WAS an argument against anyY
enough to make your Nelsons and your Wellingtons—. extension of the present period of copyright. The
ex-
you
need do no more—if you do, it is only so much tension of the copyright from twenty-eight
money taken out of the public purse." Was that ever years, as proposed by the Hon. and Learned Gentle-37 said ? And yet, Sir, the case of the poet is really man, would nhoatvil..anegofofraintys hoebnjeefictt ttoheauptohsosirbsle
in
nadmvaon-re
stronger than this, because you do not seek to reward than one cage out of 100, and he would put it to the
him out of any public fund, you do not seek to reward House, whether they would consent to any legislative
his own admirers, who enactment,
him out of the pocket of any but
ga
nt
de s
pt
sotfelri
ittey-
bLoeoal4rsn____.e Learned
c4ee Gentlemanmed
di s
phoaado
dfotuon found
preventgr eat faultthe withdiff u
si cheap
of
choose voluntarily to give it, and in this, also, you have tage of one man in 500, while it operates to the direct
the advantage, that when you are makbin.gha law which and immediate injury of thousands. The Hon. and
reaarnybmeneett
yoounliyaktehetimgerefaotrosytoaunr
for your judge. Sir, I will take leave
,just to reed the literature, at least, so be judged ftali'
House his ta.,{ig
House an expression on this subject trmel a Petition of the paltry considerati f
University
of Q 011 Q one man book
which ha; the sanction of the ancientcezapeetleananother, The Hon.
Andrew's, and the mode in which theyi end Learn d Gentle
pieced the did not seem to see the full weight of whaet he had msaind
case of particular authors of Seet arid, was that with roved to the extended circulation of the works of
da
arbiter—and e r
of peculiar hardship. After having given a very Dr. Doddridge. Those works would not have been
admirable summary of the arguments on this extensively circulated had the copyright•
continued in
subject, the petitioners submitted that where a Doddridge'a son, end he sold it
to some publisher—
few rewards that used to be conferrred on life- and in 499 cases out of 500 this would be the case—
rary and scientific merit had been withdrawn, those iaz end the d
propose measure would give a monopoly to
dividuals had good grounds to expect their literary ' another, and not to the author. He believedthat
rights .
rights would be extended, arid rendered as beneficial as authors,,although
in genera they stood as much In need of
possible to themselves and their children. Among money as most men, yetwere
d n. in genera actuated by
these Professors was one whose course ha of beee ; pecuniar •
y consi erations. Hebeheved they were actuated
h had e
!imt of a secluded student, 9, voted all by motives of a higher order. He considered that this
his energies eo the advancement of our common faith, was the of
an attempt so cramp, literature the country,
although, perhaps, there were many who might differ and
to prevent the diffusion of knowledge.—(Hear.)
with him—l mean Dr. Chalmers, He is one of the The interests
oI the author would not be benefited by
petitioners, and I will take leave to use his language, ' this Bill. if the authors thought that their pecuniary
hot the language of the petition, but that which he has interests would be advanced by the Bill, of course they
done me the honour to address to me
.on the sebecest oi• would support it ; but the interests of the public
(melt
this Bill. He says that his profesetenal Income has to be considered. It was most important that the
lwa
ys been so Scity, that he wouhave been in people should be fureiehed with " cheap information ;and
gr 6." ditlitljties 17, not been for the profits of he (Mr. H.) belieeed that his. Bell would limit the
Les authorship ; and he was not aware this 'ne mulliptcatiOn of copies, and increase the price, and that
could receive a more desireele eorepeiis'aii • dincalculablymischief
held,` than
it would more to the present
for the meagre emoiumeeta of the office he neld,`thant generation, and to succeeding generations, thnn it would
that those profits should be perpetuated in favour of his Ido benefit to the authors. On the ground of these 9,1),-