A Treatise on the Law of Slander, Libel, Scandalum Magnatum, and False Rumours: Including the Rules which Regulate Intellectual Communications Affecting the Characters of Individuals and the Interests of the Public : with a Description of the Practice and Pleadings in Personal Actions, Informations, Indictments, Attachments for Contempts, &c. Connected with the Subject |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 100
Page 1
... natural to suppose , that the protection of the persons and property of indi- viduals from actual violence would be the first and most important object of legislation . Mere intellectual injury is of too abstract- ed a nature to invite ...
... natural to suppose , that the protection of the persons and property of indi- viduals from actual violence would be the first and most important object of legislation . Mere intellectual injury is of too abstract- ed a nature to invite ...
Page 4
... policy . In addition to this , from the very nature of the case , such a prohibition would be in a great mea- sure nugatory : the passion for communication is too powerful to be extinguished by any penal enact- ments 4 INTRODUCTION .
... policy . In addition to this , from the very nature of the case , such a prohibition would be in a great mea- sure nugatory : the passion for communication is too powerful to be extinguished by any penal enact- ments 4 INTRODUCTION .
Page 16
... nature , it follows , that the loss complained of , ought to admit of a pecuniary admeasurement . The term temporal , used as descriptive of the loss upon which a suit may be supported , seems particularly opposed to spiritual ...
... nature , it follows , that the loss complained of , ought to admit of a pecuniary admeasurement . The term temporal , used as descriptive of the loss upon which a suit may be supported , seems particularly opposed to spiritual ...
Page 17
... nature and force of these reasons will be best illustrated by examples . Suppose insolvency to be imputed to a ... natural and probable effect of such a report , is immediate , and increasing prejudice , the slander itself affording a ...
... nature and force of these reasons will be best illustrated by examples . Suppose insolvency to be imputed to a ... natural and probable effect of such a report , is immediate , and increasing prejudice , the slander itself affording a ...
Page 18
... nature alluded to are avoided , and by an early refutation of the calumny the ultimate effects of it averted ; and though the defendant in such an action cannot be looked upon as an object of indulgence , yet the interests of all ...
... nature alluded to are avoided , and by an early refutation of the calumny the ultimate effects of it averted ; and though the defendant in such an action cannot be looked upon as an object of indulgence , yet the interests of all ...
Common terms and phrases
action lies adjudged affidavit afterwards alleged appears arrest of judgment averment brought cause character circumstances cited committed Common Law considered contained convicted count crime criminal declaration defendant defendant's demurrer distinction Eliz entitled evidence fact false felony fendant forsworn ground guilty held actionable Holt imputation indictment innuendo instances intention Judge jury justice King King's Bench laid libel lished Lord Lord Ellenborough Lord Kenyon Lord Mansfield malicious matter means ment mischief mitigation of damages murder neral observed offence opinion paper parliament party peace perjury person plain plaintiff plea pleaded printing proceeding proof prove publication published punishable question racter reason recover rule Salk scandal scandalum magnatum seems servant shew slander special damage Spiritual Court statute sufficient temporal tending thief Thou art tiff tion trial verdict Wadham College wife words spoken writ writing
Popular passages
Page 635 - That, on every such trial, the jury sworn to try the issue may give a general verdict of Guilty or Not Guilty upon the whole Matter put in issue upon such indictment or information ; and shall not be required or directed, by the court or judge before whom such indictment or information...
Page 320 - After non-assumpsit pleaded, and a verdict for the plaintiff, it was moved in arrest of judgment that the plaintiff could not bring his action, for he was a stranger to the consideration.
Page 8 - ... there can be no religion. The remedy against these evils is to punish the authors; for it is yet allowed that every society may punish, though not prevent, the publication of opinions which that society shall think pernicious. But this punishment, though it may crush the author, promotes the book ; and it seems not more reasonable to leave the right of printing unrestrained because writers may be afterwards censured, than it would be to sleep with doors unbolted because by our laws we can hang...
Page 635 - An Act to remove Doubts respecting the Functions of Juries in Cases of Libel. [AD 1792.] " WHEREAS doubts have arisen whether on the trial of an indictment or information for the making or publishing any libel, where an issue or issues are joined between the king and the defendant or defendants, on the plea of not guilty pleaded, it be competent to the jury impanelled to try the same to give their verdict upon the whole matter in issue...
Page 625 - The Principles of Government, in a Dialogue between a Gentleman and a farmer,'* with intent to incite the.
Page 8 - If nothing may be published but what civil authority shall have previously approved, power must always be the standard of truth : if every dreamer of innovations may propagate his projects, there can be no settlement; if every murmurer at government may diffuse discontent, there can be no peace ; and if every sceptick in theology may teach his follies, there can be no religion.
Page 272 - Liberty of criticism must be allowed, or we should have neither purity of taste nor of morals. Fair discussion is essentially necessary to the truth of history and the advancement of science. That publication, therefore, I shall never consider as a libel which has for its object, not to injure the reputation of any individual, but to correct misrepresentations of fact, to refute sophistical reasoning, to expose a vicious taste in literature, or to censure what is hostile to morality.
Page 517 - Of all monarchs, indeed, since the revolution, the successor of George the Third will have the finest opportunity of becoming nobly popular.
Page 523 - Every freeman has an undoubted right to lay what sentiments he pleases before the public: to forbid this, is to destroy the freedom of the press ; but, if he publishes what is improper, mischievous or illegal, he must take the consequence of his own temerity.
Page 625 - But where the act is itself unlawful, as in the case of a libel, the PROOF of justification or excuse lies on the defendant ; and in failure thereof, the law implies a criminal intent.