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238 « Other Crown Property. [Ch. XL Sec. III. in his own distinct capacity (a), it may, however, be observed, that the following are the chief parts of the extraordinary reve- nues of the Crown, viz. — The land-tax and malt-tax ; the cus- toms or duties on goods ; the excise duties ; the salt duties ; the post-office duties ; the stamp duties ; the duties on houses and windows, on servants and hackney-coaches, and numerous "other taxes might be mentioned [b) — " a list," to use the words of Sir Wm. Blackstone (c), " which no friend to his country would wish to see further increased." SECT. III. Other Crcmn Property, As the antient jewels and treasure of the Crown are neces- sary to support the splendor and dignity of the Sovereign for the time being, they are considered heir-looms, and descend to the successor to the Throne, and not to the executor of the last Monarch (t?), and, consequently, they are not devisable. But it is said (e), that the King may dispose of them in his lifetime, by letters patent. With respect to prerogative copyright^ we may refer to the admirable remarks {J) of Lord Erskine, at the bar of the House of Commons, as counsel of Carnan, the bookseller, who resisted the monopoly of almanacks, obtained under a sup- posed prerogative copyright in those publications : '« On the first introduction of printing, it was considered, as well in England as in other countries, to be a matter of state. The quick and extensive circulation of sentiments and opini- ons which that invaluable art introduced, could not but fall under the gripe of Government, whose principal strength was built upon the ignorance of the people who were to submit to them. The press was, therefore, wholly under the coercion erf" (o) Ante, s. I. RqI. Ab. 211. 1 Bla. Com. 428. (A) See 1 Bla. Com. 308, and Sin- (c) Cro. Car. 344. dair on Revenue, for information on (/) 1 Vol. of the Collection of lA. this subject. Erskine's Speeches, page 40, 1, 2. by (c) 1 Bla. Com. 326. Ridgw. (rf) Co. Lit. 18, b. 11 Co. 92. 2 the