Continental Monthly, Vol. 5, Issue 2, February, 1864 by Various
page 42 of 267 (15%)
page 42 of 267 (15%)
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death there was published a sheet of very good sayings, inscribed:
'The last words of Mr. Baxter.' The title sold so great a number of these papers, that, about a week after these, came out a second sheet, inscribed: 'More last words of Mr. Baxter.' In the same manner I have reason to think that several ingenious writers who have taken their leave of the public in farewell papers, will not give over so, but intend to appear, though perhaps under another form, and with a different title.' This prediction of Addison's was verified, for, after the first year, the act was allowed to fall into abeyance, and the scribblers raised their heads once more, and endeavored, by extra diligence and industry, to make up for their past discomfiture and enforced silence. Of the essay papers, as they are called, the _Tatler_ is the only one which properly comes within the scope of this article, as being, to a certain extent, a newspaper. Addison wrote in the _Freeholder_, and Steele in the _Englishman_, both being political journals opposed to the Government. For certain articles in this last, which were declared to be libellous, and for a pamphlet, entitled _The Crisis_, which he published about the same time, poor 'little Dicky, whose trade it was,' according to his quondam friend Addison, 'to write pamphlets,' was expelled the House of Commons, despite the support of several influential members, and the famous declaration of Walpole, who was not then the unscrupulous minister he afterward became, 'The liberty of the press is unrestrained; how then shall a part of the legislature dare to punish that as a crime which is not declared to be so by any law framed by the whole? And why should that House be made the instrument of such a detestable purpose?' The newspaper writers had now reached a great pitch of power, and had |
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