existing law gives an author copyright during his natural life;
nor do I propose to invade that privilege, which I should, on the
contrary, be prepared to defend strenuously against any
assailant. The only point in issue between us is, how long after
an author's death the State shall recognise a copyright in his
representatives and assigns; and it can, I think, hardly be
disputed by any rational man that this is a point which the
legislature is free to determine in the way which may appear to
be most conducive to the general good.

We may now, therefore, I think, descend from these high regions,
where we are in danger of being lost in the clouds, to firm
ground and clear light. Let us look at this question like
legislators, and after fairly balancing conveniences and
inconveniences, pronounce between the existing law of copyright,
and the law now proposed to us. The question of copyright, Sir,
like most questions of civil prudence, is neither black nor
white, but grey. The system of copyright has great advantages
and great disadvantages; and it is our business to ascertain what
these are, and then to make an arrangement under which the
advantages may be as far as possible secured, and the
disadvantages as far as possible excluded. The charge which I
bring against my honourable and learned friend's bill is this,
that it leaves the advantages nearly what they are at present,
and increases the disadvantages at least fourfold.

The advantages arising from a system of copyright are obvious.
It is desirable that we should have a supply of good books; we
cannot have such a supply unless men of letters are liberally
remunerated; and the least objectionable way of remunerating them