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of this intellectual merchandize. It is always an important point with a rational legislator to consider how far laws are practicable, and it was incumbent on the advocates of perpetual copyright, to shew that the subject was capable of being dealt with.

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The proposed scheme of improvement might indeed benefit one class of society; it would be an ill wind that blew no one good it would increase litigation, and enrich the lawyers. A contest about a literary freehold,-a right perpetual to certain original ideas, would be worth some risk. The title to a novel thought, or a brilliant idea, would be an interesting subject of investigation; it would tend to improve the Bar, and renovate the polite literature of the Bench: the evidence to be adduced would be curious; and the analysis of the new and old,-the separation of that which was borrowed or stolen from that which was newly created,-would give employment to the critics, and be very fit subjects for the intelligence of the jury.

Notwithstanding what had been urged to the contrary, it was not likely that the consideration of an extension of the copyright would have much effect on the mind of an author. In the first place, it generally happened that men who distinguished themselves in literature, began their career early in life. Very few entered the lists at a late period. It was pretty generally admitted, that men did not anticipate a premature death. They usually thought in a very indefinite way on the subject; and authors constituted no exception to the rule. When a writer first took up the pen, he seldom thought of the loss which his family would sustain after his death, by the iniquity of the laws: he was not absolutely certain that he should leave a work that it would be important to bequeath: still less, however valuable it might really be, that the public would duly appreciate it. There were various reasons which induced men to undertake the task of enlightening their fellow-beings: with some, pure benevolence; and with others, pure ambition were the motives. A large number were influenced by mixed inducements, but very few had an expectation of making their fortunes, either in possession or reversion; and those who were actu ated by the latter feeling, contrived to gain their object, or attempt it by the manufacture of new editions, which had the effect of reviving the right, and extending it from the period of the new publication."

It could not be reckoned amongst the literary sins of the present age, that authors, as a class, were not substantially rewarded. Notwithstanding these unjust laws, it appeared that two or three thousand pounds had been given in several

instances, for poems not more valuable than the Paradise Lost, for which fifteen pounds were accepted! And, perhaps, this mode of payment was quite as well as if an account current had been opened between posterity and the author's heirs and assigns. Indeed, it is not to be forgotten, that the benefits, if any, which would result from an alteration of the law, would be reaped in the vast majority of instances by the trade, and not by the authors. It might be said, indeed, that the publishers would allow larger sums for the copyright. This was a very doubtful point. A publisher might, very reasonably, say to the writer who demanded something extra for that which was a fer-simple instead of a life-interest," that twenty-five years' purchase was usually all that was given for a lot of terra firma, which might fairly be considered imperishable; that, he could not see very far into futurity; that though the work was thought very excellent by the present set of people, it might be despised by the next; that literature had its fashions, and changed them; that new inventions and discoveries, or alterations which were thought new, (and that was all the same thing to the point,) were constantly arising, and the book might not in fifty years be worth the warehouse room." What could an author oppose to these unquestionable data? Indeed, if the law were altered, would the authors or their representatives, who have sold copyrights, derive any. advantage, and to what extent? Will the publishers double the purchase-money, if their leaseholds are enfranchised? It was an awkward question.

It was imagined, by the advocates on the other side, from the limited period allowed by the law, that the interests of literature suffered. But how stood the fact? The most extensive publishers acknowledged, that nineteen out of twenty publications were not successful. Was this a proof that the number of works was diminished by these regulations? No; notwithstanding all the supposed hardships of authors and publishers, their profits were sufficient to compensate them, if one in twenty of their works succeeded! For, whatever might be supposed of the obstinacy of authors in continuing their labours, and permitting hope to triumph over experience, the publishers were not so enthusiastic in the cause of literature, as to embark their substantial capital without an adequate return.

It was scarcely necessary to say, that literature already partook quite enough of the qualities of a trade. There was no occasion to degrade it further. The bartering in it was sufficiently extensive, and the more it was enlarged in its calculating details, the more persons would embark in it, eat

VOL. III. PART II.

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up its profits, and leave less for distribution amongst the miserable horde of writers.

With respect to the policy of perpetuating the rewards earned by the ancestor on his remote posterity, it was at best questionable. If a man be not sufficiently stimulated by his own wants, and his own natural love of distinction, or by the wants of the family which he sees around him, and by the duty which he owes to his immediate offspring, it is not very probable that he will be excited from apathy into exertion, by reflecting on the third and fourth or the tenth generation, who will bless their great-great-grandfather's literary talents, Perhaps, also, the truest policy is to leave each person every possible inducement to exertion, and not to encrease the number of those who live upon the fame and wealth of their ancestors, and who are quite content and sufficiently happy, that each had a father born before him.

The advocates for a limited copyright had thus argued the question between a perpetual and a limited right: that was, indeed, the true question. Whether the time should be a few years more or less, could scarcely be worth discussion. If it could be shewn that an additional period was necessary, and that it would really benefit the generality of useful writers, it could not be questioned, that the legislature would grant it. But the assertion was not borne out by the fact, that the present period had a tendency to encourage the manufacture of popular trash, and to diminish sound literature, and works of dignity. The eminent writers of the present day would be too happy to exercise their powers upon any work of dignity that at present remained to be executed. Perhaps, not many opportunities now offered for literary men to distinguish themselves. The activity of their predecessors had thinned the field, but certain it was, that an extension of the law in question was not likely to stimulate further exertions.

It might be thought also, from the language which had been held in the course of this discussion, that England had been long declining in literary eminence, and that no works were now produced that reflected any credit upon the literature of the age. How unfounded this was, need not be pointed out. With neither France nor Germany, could we fear a comparison; and it was not correct to say, that the most valuable works were the slowest in making their way; for there never was a time since the invention of printing, when works of excellence were more greedily sought for than at the present. It was also a mistaken view to conjecture, that those productions, which from their magnitude would occupy

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a life in composition, would not be undertaken. They are usually published in detached parts, and receive their reward as the work proceeds.

In some cases it was admitted, that the exaction by the public libraries of eleven copies of an expensive work, was a great hardship, particularly where the subscribers were few in number; but in the generality of instances, it was scarcely felt, and was, indeed, a moderate tax, for the advantage of literature, to which no author ought to object. His works were thus preserved in the dignified repositories of letters, and would be handed down to posterity with all that was excellent or celebrated in the language. If such were not the case, it was not the fault of the law, but of those who availed themselves of it.

In conclusion, it was contended, in the language of Lord Camden, that "Glory was the reward of science, and those who deserved it, scorned all meaner views. I speak not (said his Lordship) of the scribblers for bread, who tease the press with their wretched productions: fourteen years are too long a period for their perishable trash. It was not for gain that Bacon, Newton, Milton, Locke, instructed and delighted the world. When the booksellers offered Milton five pounds for his Paradise Lost, he did not reject it, and commit his poem to the flames; nor did he accept the miserable pittance as the reward of his labour. He knew that the real price of his work was immortality, and that posterity would pay it."

AUGUSTUS;

OR, "KNOWLEDGE IS POWER:"

A TALE.

BORN in an island of the western main,
Where Art prevail'd, and Science fix'd her reign;
Augustus saw the human mind expand,

And shed its lustre o'er his native land:

A lustre far outshining all below,

That riches, power, or title, can bestow !

Pride's senseless pomp, and pleasure's siren power,
Ne'er tempted him to waste the priceless hour;
He felt the immortal spark his breast inspire,
And burn'd to fan it to a noble fire;-
Nor vain his toil - on science' wing he soar'd,
And with delight her wondrous paths explored:
Piercing unbounded space, his towering soul
Saw countless suns with all their planets roll;
Vast, swift, and ponderous-yet with nicest care.
Steered in their course and poised upon the air:

Could trace the size and motion of those orbs,
Though distance nearly all their light absorbs-
Till the interminable vast he found,

A scene where wisdom, life, and joy abound!
To form the great mechanic powers he knew;
To lock the mingled wheels and urge the screw;
Or bid the struggling steam its strength apply,
And more than living force, with ease supply:
Could mark the swiftness of a beam of light,
And bid the lightning flash upon the sight.
As far as Nature had disclosed her laws,
He from th' effect, could trace the mystic cause :
Whatever knowledge man had yet attain'd
Whate'er by toil, or genius, could be gain'd—
He made his own!-embraced the circle wide;
Improvement all his pleasure all his pride.
"And now," he cried, "My well-earn'd joy is near;
The rich reward of many a studious year:
The scenes of science shall enchant my sight,
And knowledge gild each moment with delight!”
False was the hope that spoke his labour o'er-
For scenes of toil and pain were yet in store!
His country, once the seat of arts and power,
Fell from her height in one tremendous hour!
Corruption sapp'd her vigour, and at length,
Destroy'd her peace, her glory, and her strength.
Commotion round, in raging madness flew,
Sire fell by son, and brother brother slew ;
Till all was blood, confusion, and distress;
No home could shelter, and no friend could bless-
Then hostile nations seized the fatal day,

Rush'd on the spoil, and made the land their prey.

"Here," cried Augustus, when his country fell,
"A conquer'd vassal must I tamely dwell-
Here, where as free as bird I once could range,
Can I endure to see such hateful change?
Ah! No! Since freedom here is found no more;
I'll bend my steps to some far distant shore;
Where life in tranquil scenes may glide away,
Nor deeds of blood insult the face of day."

Soon on the ocean did his bark appear;
The shouts of war receded from his ear;
And discord's angry flames, that blush'd on high,
Sunk by degrees and faded from the eye.
Day after day his vessel swiftly flew,

While nought but sky and sea engaged his view:
Morn rose but on a world of waters-night
Came, but to dress the waves in silvery light:
The sun poured forth his vivid beams around,
As ardent as where harvests bless the ground;

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