PUBLISHER. One who does by himself or his agents make a thing publicly known; one engaged in the circulation of books, pamphlets, and other papers.

2. The publisher of a libel is responsible as if he were the author of it, and it is immaterial whether he has any knowledge of its contents or not; 9 Co. 59; Hawk¹. P. C. c. 73, 10; 4 Mason, 115; and it is no justification² to him that the name of the author accompanies the libel. 10 John, 447; 2 Moo. & R. 312.

3. When the publication is made by writing or printing, if the matter be libelous³, the publisher may be indicted⁴ for a misdemeanor, provided it was made by his direction or consent, but if he was the owner of a newspaper merely, and the publication was made by his servants or agents, without any consent or knowledge on his part, he will not be liable to a criminal prosecution⁵. In either case he will be liable to an action for damages sustained by the party aggrieved⁶. 7 John. 260.

4. In order to render the publisher amenable⁷ to the law, the publication must be maliciously⁸ made, but malice⁹ will be presumed if the matter be libelous. This presumption¹⁰, however, will be rebutted¹¹, if the publication be made for some lawful¹² purpose, as, drawing up a bill of indictment¹³, in which the libelous words are embodied¹⁴, for the purpose of prosecuting¹⁵ the libeler; or if it evidently appear the publisher did not, at the time of publication, know that the matter was libelous as, when a person reads a libel presence of others, without beforehand knowing it to be such. 9 Co. 59. See Libel; Libeler; Publication.

PUDICITY. Chastity; the abstaining¹⁶ from all unlawful carnal commerce or connexion. A married woman or a widow may defend her pudicity as a maid may her virginity. Vide Chastity; Rape¹⁷.

PUDZELD Eng. law. To be free from the payment of money for taking of wood in any forest. Co. Litt. 233 a. The same as Woodgeld. (q. v.)

PUER. In its enlarged sense this word signifies a child of either sex; though in its restrained meaning it is applied¹⁸ to a boy only.

2. A case once arose which turned upon this question, whether a daughter could take lands under the description of puer, and it was decided¹⁹ by two judges against one that she was entitled. Dy. 337 b. In another case, it was ruled the other way. Rob. 33.