Star.
London, England, 1827-04-12 00:00:00

MANSION-HOUSIL

A curious case was brought forward in the Justice-room yester-,
day, before Sir Perth Leonia, who sat for the LORD Mown.
Sir. Hudson, a.Freeman of the City, and the writer of
sa great
number of comic soup, stated to the Alderman that he had sr
application to make, upon what be was informed was capable
bring remedied in some measure by a law of local operation in the
City of Linton, but of very ancient date, and seldom acted upon.
He was the author of five hundred or six hundred comic loop,
many of which, whatever might be their merit, had been re.
ceived by the public with some degree of approbation. Of these
songs he was in the habit of making sale, in the first instance,
to dramatic performers, and afterwards to publishers, sad the
profit he derived from a great number of them was considerable,
until a sort of piracy was established, which he did not know how
to combat with, until he heard that he cotild be assisted birdie City
Authorities. The moment Mr. Cietnend, or any ether high musical
publisher .eat torah one of the songs to the towu, a number of tin
" twopenny halfpenny," or '•Cag publishers, advertised it
at a fourth of the price set dodo by th'e holder of the copyright.
This example was followed by a Lill lower order of publishers, who
were in the habit of uniting interests with ballad singers, and the
song was bawled about the streets in a suing with owl others,
until the public were quite disgusted with it—(a laugh). lie knew
that there was an effectual way of putting an end to this practice,
it the pirate happened to be reVectsble, but, unfortunately, the
exprine to which an unhappy maim . would be subject by a pro-
ceeding in Equity, or in any of the Courts of Law, was so great,
that, except the defendants happened to be worth powder and shot,
destruction would ensue. Under those circurtistautes, Mr. Hud-
son requested that at all events something might be dome to prevent
the dishunourablesort of publication alluded to, as these who were
in the habit of dealinewith him felt considerable hesitation at the
idea of purchasing, when they were sure of a companion In some
musical beggar—(Laughter).
Sir Pavia Leuaia said that nothing could give him greater plea-
sure than the power of protecting the applicant, whom he knew to
be a man of great merit. lie considered that a song was literary
propary as well as a poem, although the latter description of wel-
ting was not, he believed, sung about the streets since the days of
durner—(A laugh). If there existed any Act by which service
could be rendered to a man of genius under such circumstances, he
certainly should resort to it for the benefit of such a person.
Sir. Hoseaa said, he apprehended that there was no law to
prevent the vocal retailing ot soup. In the Acts for the punish-
ment of rogues and vagabonds, minstrels were not mentioned as
coming under that denomination. Parliament seemed to have
especial regard for minstrels, and gave them great privileges. A
Member even declared in the House 91 Commons one night, that
Punch must be protected—(Laughter).
Sir. Hudson said, It was toe hardline an author's brains should
be at the command -of every publisher, whose circumstances
placed hint beneath the teach of the law, and who, was on the
6eli out for everything that was convertible into pence, however
brinrious to the proprietor. • .
Mr. Hostas adeised,that a civil proceeding slisaufd be adopted.
If one crow were shot' all the other crows would /4.o:mew quarters.
Mr. Hudson said, the remedy was u bad as the disease ; the
protection of Chancery would cost him se3o. • He Well knew the
desperate evils of a Court of Eqeity.er Justice.
Sir. P. LAVIUR said, that there could not.be a !meet judge if an
opinion were tan formed front the applicant's long, called " Law,"
which was bawled, about the town from morning till night. " I
think, Mr. Hudson," said Sir P. LAURI; " you had better follow
your own advice, end have nothing to do with the law ; foe those
who live best by it will certainly revengethenuelen epos you."
Mr. Hodson assured Sir Pates, that the injury he sustained
was molt sCriDIRS. A Publisher bad pirated the very sang