Glasgow Courier. — 1858-09-16 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

JOURNAL OF JURISPRUDENCE.  This month's number does not contain much matter of general interest. There are only two articlesThe one is on "Privileged Crimea." Having stated that "the boundaries of criminal law and morality are fluctuating and hard to settle," and that "between them there is a sort of neutral ground where the moral code disapproves of actions which the criminal code does not punish," and that "this neutral ground extends with civilisation and the growth of sound principles as to state interference and individual liberty," it proceeds to consider some acts which may in one view be looked upon as criminal, and yet which are not so by law—for example, attempts at suicide, seduction, &c. It also considers the question whether the negligence of bank, &c., directors ought to constitute a real or a privileged crime, and decides that civil liability for the consequences of their negligence being perfectly adequate to protect the interests of society, nothing further is required. This article is more curious than practical. The other article is on the question, "What are actionable Words ?" and deals more particularly with the English law of libel. It commences with some of the definitions of libel, such as that which  I;;;;tii.to3;ive been Lord EllenbOrough's—" anything , which hurte the feelings of anybody; Bentham's— " anything which anybody, at any time, may be pleased to dislike for any reason;" Quarterly Review—" libel is that, and that only, which twelve inspartial citizens declare on oath to be libel; and Lord Chief Commissioner Adam's (Scotch law) "anything that produces uneasiness of mind is actionable;' adding, "It seems to be undoubted that in England, for any words, however trivial and frivolous, if they be only written; and in Scotland, for any words, whether written or spoken, a pursuer may inflict upon a defender the expense and annoyance of a jury trial, and trust to the eloquence of his counsel, and the chapter of accidents, for damages." Actionable words are stated to be divided into two classes - —" one class actionable without proving" —that is to say, special damage does not require to be proved; " and the other not actionable except upon proof of special damage from their use." A number of actionable words are mentioned, and compared with others which are not actionable, and the absurdities and inconsistencies (not to talk of the hardship and injustice) of the present state of the English law of libel are satisfactorily shown. In addition we have the usual summary of English cases, a report of a House of Lords appeal case (Morgan v. Morris, &c.), and an appendix containing seven of the acts of Parliament affecting Scotland passed during the late session. Whether it is caused by a laudable desire to give the subscribers as many " acts" as possible in this number, or by the absence of the usual contributors who, during long vacation, are wont, we daresay, to betake themselves to Highland hills and glens and to the watering places of the east and west coast, is to us, of course, unknown. The fact, how. ever, is undeniable that in this number there is a considerable want of the material generally looked for in the pages of a "journal." We confess to having expected some remarks on the character, tendency, operations, &c., of one or other of the new Acts. Perhaps had it not been for Mr Ross's latelypublished analysis, we might have had an article on the "Titles Act." However, as it is to be presumed that advocates and journalists, like other mortals, rNuire relaxation, we suppose we must rest satisM.A.cvain's