It is a mere waste of time to attempt to justify anything that has been said in the alleged libel by showing that someone else has said the same thing.
Mr.Foote: In all trials the same process has been allowed.
Mr.Justice North: It will not be allowed on this occasion.
Mr.Foote: If your lordship will pardon me for calling attention to the famous case of the King against William Hone, I would point out that there Hone read extracts to the jury.
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.