Volume 1 - Electric Scotland

MR J. G. DALYELL. 131
certain advocate, John Graham Dalyell, Esq. (after-
wards Sir John), who on the 10th of November 1817,
not a fortnight after the pubHcation of the Magazine,
summoned the publisher on the following plea :
That the false, malevolent, or wanton mockery of personal
infirmities, and holding them up as a subject for public scorn
and derision, is arraigning the wise dispensations of Providence,
bringing the afflicted into contempt, and a cruel outrage of his
feelings. That falsely and malevolently devising, uttering, or
publishing contumelious descriptions, reproachful words, calumnious
charges, and insinuations tending to disturb the peace
of any individual, to depreciate his character in public or
private esteem, or to impair the means of his subsistence and
comfort, are all or either of them grievous injuries, which found
him in an action for damages and reparation against the
aggressor. That the said John Graham Dalyell is a member
of the Faculty of Advocates practising before the Supreme
Courts of Scotland, and is also the author of literary composi-
tions, written either on his own account or at the desire of the
proprietors and editors of literary works from whom he receives
remuneration. That in these employments his means of sub-
sistence consist. That while the said John Graham Dalyell
was reposing in the bosom of his family, following his lawful
avocations and literary pursuits, and at peace and amity with
all mankind, William Blackwood, bookseller in Princes Street,
Edinburgh (the publisher of a literary work, book, or pamphlet
bearing the title of 'Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine' and
purporting to be printed by Oliver & Boyd for the said William
Blackwood), actuated by deliberate malignity and without any
provocation whatever on the part of the said John Graham
Dalyell, did insert and publish a wicked, false, and scandalous
libel, grossly calumniating the person of the said John Graham
Dalyell, in an indecent, irreverent, and blasphemous application
of Scriptural language, which libel is contained in a number or
volume of the said work.
The words which inflicted this injury were certainly
unpleasing enough. They follow closely in the Chal-
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