Writer 1879: Solitary Journey in France

Chapter 546 Is this London or St. Petersburg? (Bonus Chapter 2)

Unlike France (surprisingly!) and Russia, 19th-century Britain practiced "post-publication punishment" rather than "pre-publication censorship" for publications.

In other words, any publication can, in principle, be published first, and the government cannot require you to submit it for review first;

However, if the content violates the law after publication, it can lead to prosecution, banning, fines, or even imprisonment.

This is not because Britain has a written "Freedom of the Press Act," but because it has never reinstated a comprehensive press licensing system since the Press Licensing Act of 1695 expired.

Thus, a legal tradition has long existed in Britain regarding publishing—the monarchy or the cabinet cannot decide whether a work can be printed, but can pursue legal action afterward.

This was part of the Whig liberal tradition of the 18th and 19th centuries, and by the Victorian era, this position had become common political knowledge.

Therefore, no one would think that the publication of "1984" was due to the British government or Her Majesty the Queen being tolerant enough; they would only think that the editor-in-chief was brave enough.

So, within just one week, praise for Richard Everard reached its peak across Europe—

"Europe's most courageous editor-in-chief," "the conscience of the publishing industry," "the glory of British literature," "a defender of freedom of the press"...

In any case, Richard Everard has made history and is almost destined to become a literary editor who will go down in history.

The publication of 1984 will be an event that cannot be ignored in the history of literary publishing in 1882 and even the 19th century.

In the editor's office of Good Words magazine, Richard Everard was completely unaware of these praises.

He was required by Whitehall to travel only between the magazine office and his home, and was escorted by Scotland Yard police every day when he went out.

He lived in constant fear, knowing that his current safety was not a sign that he had been let off the hook, but rather that the "higher-ups" had not yet made a decision.

Once a consensus is reached "at the top," you will definitely suffer.

—And such a day soon arrived.

On September 10, 1882, the sky over London was so gloomy it seemed to press down on the rooftops.

Early in the morning, newsboys rushed onto the streets, their cries louder than usual:

"Look at the newspaper! Look at the newspaper! The government has officially declared '1984' an illegal publication!"

"A joint statement from the Ministry of the Interior, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Attorney General! Read the newspaper!"

Pedestrians stopped to watch, coins fell into the newsboy's hands, and the newspaper was quickly unfolded.

The front page was filled with three statements. They weren't editorials or news reports; they were full-length official documents, and even the layout was so serious it was almost suffocating.

The first statement was a proclamation from the British Home Office.

A letter from His Excellency William Harcourt, Home Secretary, to the nation
In accordance with the Obscene Publications Act of 1857, the Treason Act of 1848, and related laws, the Ministry of the Interior hereby issues the following announcement.

Lionel Sorel's novel *1984*, after review, was determined to be:

Intentionally disparaging and vilifying Her Majesty the Queen and the monarchical system of the British Empire, seriously insulting the dignity of the Royal Family;
To fabricate and spread false narratives aimed at undermining public confidence in the imperial order;

Using literature as a disguise, they actually incited subversion and attempted to undermine the stability of the British Empire and its colonies.

From the date of this announcement, "1984" is an illegal publication throughout the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and in all British overseas colonies and protectorates.

Any act of printing, publishing, selling, or distributing "1984" is illegal and will be severely punished according to law.

Any citizen who already possesses the 1984 document must deliver it to the local police station or post office within seven days.

Those who fail to hand over the goods by the deadline and continue to hold them will face prosecution once verified.

Any act of disseminating the contents of "1984" publicly or privately, including reading aloud, discussing, retelling, or copying, is considered illegal.

This announcement is effective immediately.

God bless my Queen, God bless my Great Britain.

Home Secretary: William Harcourt
September 1882, 9]

The second statement was a notice from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
[Ministry of Foreign Affairs Notice to Friendly Countries and All Citizens:]

In view of the recent serious breaches of British Imperial law and basic etiquette by French author Lionel Sorel, and the fact that his work *1984* constitutes an open insult and malicious defamation of Her Majesty the Queen and the Imperial System, the Foreign Office, in consultation with the Home Office, hereby issues the following notice:

Mr. Lionel Sorrell has been declared persona non grata in the British Empire. Effective immediately, Mr. Lionel Sorrell will be denied entry to the British Empire and to all its overseas colonies and protectorate ports.

Any act of assisting or facilitating Mr. Lionel Sorel's attempt to enter Imperial territory is considered illegal.

This decision is based on the necessity of upholding the dignity of the Empire and the rule of law, and is not directed against the French Republic or any other country.

Foreign Ministry of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland

September 1882, 9]

The third statement came from the Office of the Attorney General of the United Kingdom.

[Announcement by Attorney General Sir Henry James]

This office has officially launched an investigation into multiple alleged illegal activities related to the book "1984".

During the investigation, all persons involved in this case, including but not limited to the author, publisher, printer, distributor and known holder, must remain in the British Empire to cooperate with the investigation and are not allowed to leave the country.

Any attempt to leave the country will be considered obstruction of justice, and the police have the right to take coercive measures in accordance with the law.

Justice will surely be served.

Attorney General: Sir Henry James
September 1882, 9]

The three statements, like three heavy hammer blows, awakened the slumbering minds of Londoners, leaving them momentarily disoriented, unsure whether they were in London or St. Petersburg.

Inside the club, several elderly gentlemen sat in the reading room, newspapers spread out on their laps, and no one spoke.

After a long silence, a white-bearded gentleman said in a low voice, "Isn't this... a bit too harsh?"

My friend next to me shook his head: "It has to be this way. He's criticized the Queen herself, the monarchy, the entire imperial system... He's insulted them all. If the government doesn't react, who will respect the royal family in the future?" "Banning possession, demanding surrender... that sounds like what the Russians do."

"What do you mean by 'similar'? This is it! I heard the Russians did just that last week."

"Then what do you suggest? Let that book 'OLD LADY IS WATCHING YOU' circulate, and everyone will smile at Her Majesty's portrait from now on?"

No one could answer, but they all looked up at the portrait of the Queen on the club wall, the kind-faced woman gazing at them.

No one dared to laugh.

In the Barings Bank offices, stockbrokers were also discussing it.

"Submit it within seven days... How can that be enforced? Search every house?"

"It's probably just a gesture. It's meant to show the government's attitude. How many people actually hand it over? They can just hide it, that's all."

"But legally, it's illegal for you to be hiding a copy of '1984' right now. If you get reported, it could really get you into trouble."

“I threw away my copy a long time ago. I don’t want to get into legal trouble over a novel.”

"You threw it away? The more a book is banned, the more valuable it becomes. In twenty years, it might even be sold as an antique."

"But I'm afraid...?"

"What are you afraid of? Can the police search your house? As long as you don't discuss it publicly and just keep it to yourself, who can stop you?"

Despite this, a tense atmosphere still permeated the office.

The government is serious; this is no joke!

Everyone glanced at the portrait of Queen Victoria on the wall, then tacitly went back to their work.

East District, Wanhao Bar.

The bar wasn't open yet in the morning, but old Jimmy was sitting behind the counter with The Times spread out in front of him. He wasn't very literate, but he could roughly understand it.

Tom Hardy came in through the back door, looking rather grim.

Old Jimmy, head down, asked, "You saw it?"

Tom nodded. "I see. Three statements. Mr. Bond is banned from entering the country. The person holding the book must surrender it."

"Where's yours?"

Tom quickly waved his hand: "No, I don't. I'm just a newspaper reader, I don't subscribe to 'Good Words'. But Sean has a copy, I saw him carrying one last time."

Old Jimmy frowned: "Tell him to deal with it quickly. Either hand it over or burn it. Don't cause trouble."

"You know Sean's temper. He definitely won't hand it over. He might even take the book and loiter around the police station, deliberately provoking us."

Old Jimmy shook his head and sighed, "Then he's just asking for trouble. Go and talk to him. Tell him it's not worth it for this novel."

Tom sighed. "I'll give it a try. But I don't know if he'll listen."

Before leaving, Tom Hardy glanced at the Queen's portrait on the bar wall, shuddered, and left without looking back.

----------

Britain's actions were naturally met with ridicule from the media on the European continent, who laughed at them for being terrified by a novel and for their claim of "freedom" being a lie.

There is only one exception: St. Petersburg.

In the Third Hall, General Vikowski, holding the latest telegram from London, sneered—

"The British have finally learned their lesson. They should have done this a long time ago. To deal with books like this, they should ban, confiscate, and punish them. Talking about freedom of speech is just a sign of weakness."

He instructed his men: "Compile a report on the British approach and send it to His Majesty for review. Look, even the British are starting to use our methods."

10 Downing Street, London.

Gladstone stood by the window, looking at the gray sky outside.

He knew what kind of reaction the three statements would provoke—domestic controversy, European ridicule, and liberal criticism.

But he had no choice; the Queen was right next door that day and listened the whole time.

Logically, this shouldn't be allowed—but when she actually sits there, no one can stop her.

The monarch was demanding a promise from him, a promise that the cabinet must make Lionel Sorel pay the price.

At that moment, Home Secretary Harcourt knocked and entered, holding a document in his hand: "Prime Minister."

Gladstone turned around: "How was it?"

Harcourt opened the file: "This is a list. Britons closely associated with Lionel Sorel."

Gladstone took it; the list was very long—

Norman MacLeod, Alexander Stellan, Richard Everard, Arthur Conan Doyle, Oscar Wilde...

There's also "Old Jimmy," Sean O'Mara, Mary Carter, Joe Harris...

Gladstone frowned. "Are these people in the back civilians? What's going on with them?"

Harcourt explained, "Sorel wrote letters for them, which meant they spoke well of Sorel in the newspapers."

Gladstone put down the list and asked a crucial question: "Have you decided who to start with?"

Harcourt picked up his pen and, without hesitation, drew a thick line under each of the names "Richard Everard" and "Arthur Conan Doyle".

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(End of this chapter)