Note 95 — Chapter X
Reading edition
It was worth remembering, that amongst the authors patronised and pensioned by George the Third, were Smollett, imprisoned for a libel; Shebbeare, who had stood in the pillory for abusing George I., King William, and the Revolution; and some other libellers.—A.
To have patronised two ingenious men of letters, though formerly convicted of political libels, is no discredit whatever to George III.—When, indeed, during his reign, new and severer laws were devised against political libel, it might have been worth remembering how many worthy, eminent, and learned men had incurred the guilt, and been exposed to the consequences, of that imperfectly defined species of offence, at various periods of our history: a circumstance from which it must naturally be inferred, that all further penalties adopted by Parliament may be inflicted on others, as worthy, as eminent, and as learned.—E.