[13] For these Countries the Total Imports and Exports are stated. The total weight of the Book Trade of Christendom appears to be less than 200,000 cwts., which, taken at 1 lb. per volume, makes only about 20,000,000 of volumes, about a fourth part of which is sent from this country to the North American and Australian “Markets.” The _Beehive_, of 31st July, has an article on the meeting referred to in the Prefatory Note. The following is an extract, to which three notes are respectfully subjoined:— ... But to abolish all protection to original inventions would be, as Mr. Paterson justly contended, to hand over all the profits arising from such inventions to the capitalist.[14] This speaker would make the granting of Patents free from charge, and lay a tax on the profits of the contrivance patented. Mr. Macfie, the Member for Leith, made a decided hit when he pointed to the absence of royalties abroad, while at home they lie upon us with a crushing weight; and, if we cannot find ease without following the example of Switzerland in abolishing Patent-Laws, and of Holland and Germany by declaring against them, there will be no help for it. But when Mr. Macfie “denies that the inventor has any exclusive right to his invention,” he makes an assertion that it is in the power of any inventor practically to disprove. Say that A has found out an invention of value, or, which is the same thing for the purpose of argument, thinks he has; he meets with the Member for Leith, who says, “Come, my fine fellow, out with that invention of yours, for the general good; you have no exclusive right to it.” What would A be likely to say in reply? “Haven’t I? Let me choose to keep it to myself, and who can hinder me?” While, however, it is perfect nonsense to deny a man’s right to the ideas of his own mind,[15] the practical question is another thing; and it behoves us all to remember that we are members of one society, and that a society called at least Christian. Nevertheless, if A is to make his contribution to the general good, all the rest of the alphabet are bound to reciprocate his liberality.[16]... [14] For capitalist, if there were no Patents, why not say _consumer_? [15] It is _exclusive_ right, not at all his personal right, to use, and right to conceal, if he has the will and power, that is denied. [16] These concluding sound reflections are eminently suggestive. INDEX. Abuse of Patents, 39, 46, 47 Agricultural Interest Concerned, 51 ARMSTRONG, Sir W., C.B. See also “Quotations”, 237 _Austria_, 47, 51 Authors’ Motives, 298 Stamp, 297 Interest, 293 Bad working of our Patent System in Prussian Eyes, 189 _Baden_, 192 _Bavaria_, 331 “Beehive”, 332 _Belgium_, 66, 124, 193, 198, 201, 209, 213, 278, 331 BENARD, M., 124, 150, 175 BERGMANN, VAN ZINNICQ, 196, 223