An Open Letter to Lord Beaverbook

man, or the man wrapped up in creative work, in taking legal action against a wealthy and power- ful corporation. To him a libel suit, even if not actually impossible, means, at the very least, financial chaos and the indefinite paralysis of his work. More than this, the libel, however false in point of fact, may be so damaging in purport, and make so unscrupulous an appeal to violent popular passions, that it robs its victim, in advance, of any of the normal means of redress. The man of letters is peculiarly ill-protected against sensational newspaper calumny. Every editor and publisher must reckon, nowadays almost exclusively, not with the real truth about an author, nor with the balanced judgment of the educated reader or man of the world, but with the prejudices and passions of the masses. Unless therefore a man of letters is wealthy enough to call his traducer to instant account in court of law, the absolute falsity of a newspaper calumny will not prevent it from working, right from the start, almost as much mischief as if it were proven truth. It may reduce its victim, at a stroke, from affluence to poverty, or from poverty to absolute destitution. It may destroy his credit, in every kind, for a critical initial period ; and in the time that elapses before he can compel a hearing, the lie may have done its work, and wrought vital damage—both personally — 5 —