The distinction between a libel contained in a book or letter and one published in a Newspaper, which was first recognised in Lord Campbell's Act, has since then steadily deepened, until now the nature both of the wrong and of the remedy depends very largely on whether or not the libel appeared in a Newspaper.
These considerations have led the authors to believe that a work containing a concise but sufficient statement of the Law of the Press is wanted. Though this volume deals with many important branches of the law, still it has been found possible by rigidly excluding everything not affecting Newspapers to keep it within reasonable compass, and at the same time, it is hoped, to add to its clearness and utility. Already many able works exist on the general law of Copyright and of Libel; any claim to consideration which the present work has, is as a digest of the Law of the Press alone.
In conclusion two points may be referred to. In the first place, instead of citing, in support of each statement, a multitude of cases, half of which are antiquated or inapplicable, the authors have endeavoured to find in each instance one-if possible modern-case really illustrative of the law, and this case they have cited at sufficient length to enable readers to see its application to the rule laid down without referring to the Reports. In the second place they have given an outline of the principal Foreign Press Laws. Such a summary, they believe, has not appeared in English before, and they hope that it may prove interesting and suggestive, not merely to lawyers, but also to journalists and legislators.