those restraints which now prevent men from pillaging and
defrauding the living. If I saw, Sir, any probability that this
bill could be so amended in the Committee that my objections
might be removed, I would not divide the House in this stage.
But I am so fully convinced that no alteration which would not
seem insupportable to my honourable and learned friend, could
render his measure supportable to me, that I must move, though
with regret, that this bill be read a second time this day six
months.

...


COPYRIGHT. (APRIL 6, 1842)

A SPEECH DELIVERED IN A COMMITTEE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS ON THE
6TH OF APRIL 1842.

On the third of March 1842, Lord Mahon obtained permission to
bring in a bill to amend the Law of Copyright. This bill
extended the term of Copyright in a book to twenty-five years,
reckoned from the death of the author.

On the sixth of April the House went into Committee on the bill,
and Mr Greene took the Chair. Several divisions took place, of
which the result was that the plan suggested in the following
Speech was, with some modifications, adopted.

Mr Greene,--I have been amused and gratified by the remarks which
my noble friend (Lord Mahon.) has made on the arguments by which