Punch (14.1848)

Paris Fashions for 1848,

THE REPUBLIC OF LETTERS.

LIBEfiTE—EGALITE—FRATERNITE.

{Proclamation.)

}3robtstonal ©obernmrnt of jFcance,

in the vindication of their great task—are not
to be prevented by the possible insinuation of a
wretched egotism, from asserting the rights of
brain.

The Provisional Government numbers among
its members the poet, the historian, the jour- /
nalist. They would fra'ernise with the poets, the
historians, the journalists of the Republic of
Letters: a Republic in which the greenest
laurels are ever watered by the purest inK. i

Hitherto, under previous monarchical dynasties '
—those personifications of selfishness, cowardice,
and ignorance—the foreign author has only been
welcomed t,o France to be robbed. The bibliu-
pole has folded the Englishman to his breast, to /
pick his pocket. svt

The Republic has abolished capital punishment /jjf^

in the c^ses of political treason. It will crown UV

its work by abolishing Capital Robbery in the ' Ij

case of Literary Spoliation. I

Henceforth, it shall not be lawful for any
Citizen to reprint the works of any foreign author,
without his license. As the pocket-handkerchief
of the foreigner is guarded by the law from the
fingers of the voleur,—so shall the book of the
foreigner be consecrated from the fingers of the
bookseller.

Citizen Gaugnani is invited to devote his
patriotism to the fulfilment of this high purpose.

Signed by (lie Provisional Hooernment.