Mr. Justice North: Very possibly it might have been relevant in that case. Mr. Foote: But, my lord, it was precisely a similar case--it was a case of blasphemous libel. Lord Ellenborough sat on the bench. Mr. Justice North: Possibly. Mr. Foote: And Lord Ellenborough allowed Mr. Hone to read what he considered justificatory of his own publication. The same thing occurred in the case of the Queen against Bradlaugh and Besant. Mr. Justice North: We have nothing to do to-day with the question whether any author has taken the views which are taken in these libels, whoever the author was. Mr. Foote: Does your lordship mean that I am to go on reading or not? Mr. Justice North: Go on with your address to the jury, sir; that's what I wish you to do. But you cannot do what you were about to do--refer to the book you mentioned for any such purpose as you indicated. Mr. Foote: I hope your lordship does not misunderstand me. I am simply defending myself against a very grave charge under an old law. Mr. Justice North: Go on, go on, Foote. I know that. Go on with your address. Mr. Foote: Your lordship, these questions are part of my address. Gentlemen (turning to the jury), no less a person than a brother of one of our most distinguished judges has said---- Mr. Justice North: Now, again, I cannot have you quoting books not in evidence, for the sake of putting before the jury the matters they state. The passage you referred to is one in which the Lord Chief Justice pointed out that that could not be done. Mr. Foote: But the action, my lord, of the Lord Chief Justice did not put a stop to the reading. He said he would allow Mrs. Besant to quote any passage as a part of her address. Mr. Justice North: Go on. Mr. Foote: No less a person than the brother of one of our most learned---- Mr. Justice North: Now did I not tell you that you could not do that? Mr. Foote: Will your lordship give me a most distinct ruling in this case? Mr. Justice North: I am ruling that you cannot do what you are trying to do now. Mr. Foote: I am sorry, my lord, I cannot understand. Mr. Justice North: I am sorry for it. I have tried to make myself clear. Mr. Foote: Does your lordship mean that I am not to read from anything to show justification of the libel?