The question the jury have to decide is whether you, and the persons present with you, are guilty of a libel or not.

For that purpose they will have to consider whether the matters in question are a libel.

If so, they will have also to consider whether you and the other defendants are guilty of having published it.
If they think it a libel, and that you have published it, they will have answered the only two questions they will have to put to themselves.
Mr.Foote: My lord, in an ordinary libel case justification can be shown.
Mr.Justice North: Go on.
Mr.Foote: I do not wish to occupy the time of the court unnecessarily, but really I think your lordship ought to remember the grave position in which I stand, and not stand in the way of anything which I consider to be of vital importance to my defence.
Mr.Justice North: I have pointed out to you what I consider to be the question the jury have got to decide.

I hope you will not go outside the lines I have pointed out to you; but, with these remarks, I am very reluctant to interfere with any prisoner saying anything which he considers necessary, and I will not stop you.

I hope you will not abuse the concession I consider I am making to you.
Mr.Foote: I should be very sorry, my lord.