" All purely scientific works to be exempt from previous censorship
; politi- cal publications, the contents of which are chiefly political, or merely argumen- tative, to be liable to censorship, without regard to the number of sheets of which they consist. It is further said, that it is to be left to the several Governments of the Confederation either to allow the expression of opinion on the affairs of their own states injournals or other publications without restriction, or to limit it by the censorship."
There is nothing in this that differs very widely from our own practice. The rule of all Governments is the same—" Give the people freely whatever information is not necessary for their well- being." The distinction between England and Germany lies merely in a name. In Germany, they call the man who is paid to keep the nation ignorant, a Censor; in England, they call him a Com- missioner of Stamps. It is fair to add, that in conformity with its resolution to give all facility for the supply of useless literature, the Diet has resolved that such property shall be respected through- out Germany. Novelists, playwrights, and rhymers, will now be able to sell their goods without dread of piracy. Provided genius be not directed towards the public good, it will have free course and be rewarded.
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