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Untitled Article
books . It may be thought that this can be little affected by the taxes in question , nor would it , if the sole difference were that the cost of ten octavo volumes might be made , by their repeal , to purchase eleven . But that is a very narrow view of the sub- > ject . The repeal would render practicable plans of cheap publication by which the cost of ten would obtain the contents of
thirty . The substance of whole libraries might be brought home to humble doors at an obtainable rate . It is a great mistake that these taxes only affect the circulation of newspapers . They enhance the cost of all books . But it is by their action upon newspapers that the worst part of the mischief is produced . The sale of publications is always limited , sometimes stopped altogether , on account of the expense of advertising . Every advertisement pays three shillings and sixpence to government . This is
jnore than the advertisement itself need usually cost if untaxed . All pamphlets previously pay a small duty , besides the excise upon the paper . But the cost of advertising is the millstone on the neck of this species of publication . Many valuable pamphlets on topics of importance have been published at a loss . Why should there be a penalty on the rapid communication between jnind and mind which might be established throughout the country ? ( This is true liberty , when free-born men , Having to advise the public , may speak free : ' and it is not only true liberty , but common good . Yet that medium , which is worth more than air the speaking and hearing'in the world , is made too expensive for those who would make , and those who would receive the communication ! And not only is the quantity of instruction limited , but the quality is deteriorated . On the one hand , regular newspapers ^ requiring a large capital ,
are got up to suit the notions and prejudices of those who , by purchasing , will render such outlay a profitable speculation . They trim their sails , often with great dexterity , to catch whatever breeze is blowing ; but some of them at least never attempt to sail with the wind in their teeth . On the other hand , cheap
papers are addressed to the most violent passions of the multitude . They are often put forth by men who , come what may , have nothing to lose . And the poor read them because they can get nothing else . They are read by thousands of the working classes , who deprecate their violence , and would gladly prefer sounder instructors if within their reach . It is idle to talk of
illegality and prohibition . No power can suppress this class of publications . Castlereagh could not , Wellington could not , and Grey cannot . The only plan to render them harmless is to take off the restrictions by which a monopoly of such publications is given to men who defy the law . That which breaks up the monopoly of the capitalist also destroys that of the demagogue . Throw the market open . The people must and ' Will have jpoli-
Untitled Article
Taxes on Knowledge . 269
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), April 2, 1832, page 269, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1810/page/53/
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