1811.] 
granted, to both’stationers, and printers, 
_ which they themselves desire in point of 
trade; yet in regard that several inte-~ 
rests are conceru’d, that of the kingdom 
on the one side, and only that of the 
companies on the other: it is but reason 
that there should be several super-in- 
tending powers, and that the smaller in- 
terest should give place, and be subardi- 
nate to the greater: that is, the master 
and wardens to menage the business of 
their respective trade, but withall, to be 
subjected to some superior officer, that 
should over-look them both on behalf of 
the publique. 
As the powers of licensing books, are 
by the late act vested in several persons, 
with regard to the several subjects those 
books treat of; so may there likewise 
be several agents authoris’d and appoint- 
ed for the care of the press, touching 
these several particulars, under the name 
and title of surveyors of the press: and 
every distinct surveyor to keep himself 
strictly within the limits of his own pro- 
vince. As for example: 
First, The lord chancellour, or lord 
keeper of the great seal of England for 
the time being, the lords chief justices, 
and lord chief baron.for the time being, 
, of more of them, are specially 
t@Jicense, by themselves, or 
by their Substitutes, all books eoncerning 
the common laws of this kingdom. 
Let there be one surveigher.of the 
press constitutétl peculiarly for that sub- 
ject. 
» Qdly. All books of divinity, physique, 
philosophy, or whatsoever otherscience, or 
art, are to be licensed by the lord archbi- 
shop of Canterbury, and lord bishop of 
London forthe time being, or one of them, 
or by their, or one of their appointments, 
or by either one of the chancellours, or 
vice-chancellours of either of the uni- 
versities, for the time being. 
Let three other surveighers of the 
press be likewise authorized for these 
particulars, 
3dly. All books concerning heraldry, 
titles of honour, aud arms, or concern- 
ing the office of earl-marshall, are to be 
licens’d by the earl-marshall for the time 
being; or in case there shall not then 
be an earl-marshall, by the three kings 
of arms, or any two of them, whereof 
Garter to be one. 
This is to be the subject of another 
purveigher’s care, + 
4uhly. Books of history, politiques, 
piate-allairs, and all other miscellapics, 
cae 
Scarce Tracts, Kc. 
549 
or treatises, not comprehended under 
the powers betore-mentioned, fall under 
the jurisdiction of the principal secres 
taries of state, to be allow’d by them- 
selves, or one of them, or by their, or one 
of their appointments. 
The care of the press concerning these 
particulars may be another surveigher’s 
business; so that six persons may do 
the whole work, with good order, and 
security. Three substitutes for the bi- 
shops, and chancellours, and one a-piece 
for the rest. 
A word now touching the encoirages 
ment of these officers, and then con- 
cerning penalties to be inflicted upon 
offenders, and rewards to be granted to 
enformerss 
The inward motive to all publique 
and honourable actions, must be taken 
for granted to bea principle of loyalty, 
and justice: but the question is here 
concerning outward encouragements to 
this particular charge. There must be 
benefit, and power. Benefit, that a man 
may live honestly upon the employment; 
and power, fur the credit aud execution 
of the trust. 
The benefit must arise partly from 
some certain and standing fee; and in 
part from accessory and contingent ad- 
vantages, which will be but few, and 
small, in proportion to the trouble and 
charge of the employment: for there 
must be, first, a constant attendance, 
and a dayly labour in hunting out, and 
over-looking books, and presses; and 
secondly, a continual expense in the en- 
terteynment of instruments for discovery 
and intelligence, which, being deducted. 
out of the pittances of licenses and for- 
feitures, will leave the surveigher a very 
small proportion for his peyns. 
The next thing is a power to execute; 
without which, the law is dead, and the 
officer ridiculous. 
Now concerning penalties and rewards, 
1. The gayn of printing some books is 
ten times greater, if they scape, then the 
loss, if they be taken; so that the das 
mage bearing such a disproportion to the 
profit, is rather an allurement to offend, 
then a discouragement. 
2. As the punishment is too small for 
the offender, so is the reward also for 
the enformer; for reckon the time, trou- 
ble, and money, which it shall cost the 
prosecutour to recover his allounent, he 
shalt sit down at last a loser by the bar~ 
gain, and more than that, he loses his 
credit aud cmployment, over and above, 
‘ Ae 
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