HINTS TO AUTHORS.
Ax author of "Addresses to Youth," who appears to have been liberally supported by the nobility, was placed the other day at the bar of one of our Police-offices, accused of stealing books from keepers of circulating-libraries. Not long ago, another gentleman of the same profession was tried at the Central Court for pilfering books from the library of the British Museum. There is a prudential consideration which those unlucky individuals overlooked, and which others of their tribe may also neglect. It is only great men who are privileged to commit dirty actions with impunity. An incorruptible patriot is tolerated although a libertine, and a corrupt and oppressive minister may come off scot-free on the strength of an immaculate family character. Dinzaor's transaction with the Empress of Russia when he sold her a library was rather equivocal, and RousszAn's stealing a ribbon and allowing an impertinent servant to be punished for the theft, was not equivocal in the least ; but DIDEROT and ROUSSEAU were men of unquestionable genius. Society can put up with a great deal at the hands of persons from whom it receives valuable services. But authors who are dull and feeble ought at least to be as honest as the laws require. Henceforward, therefore, let such individuals of the genus irritabile as do not reach above mediocrity rest contented with defrauding creditors, and beware of aspiring to petty larceny ; or, if they will steal any thing besides ideas, let them keep their fingers off booksellers' counters. Let them "assume a virtue if they have it not," and, however much they may disregard the commandment which forbids to bear false witness, show some regard for that which prohibits stealing tangible substances.
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