and monasteries do not carry on any trade with books, especially at the sites
of churches and places of pilgrimage.
Directive issued in Bohemia, 21 December 1781.
These books are to be seized from them immediately and confiscated.
However, they themselves are not to be punished with arrest or any other penalty.
Directive issued in Bohemia, 1 February 1782.
All printers are allowed to carry on free trade with native and
foreign books, since the reading public will benefit greatly from this in terms
of the available choice and cheapness of works; literature will stand to gain
because of the improvement and increase in the number of editions brought about
by this; commerce will also benefit from the acquisition of new business
partners abroad for exchange-trade; and, finally, immense advantages will also
ccrue to the natural drive for sustenance.
Imperial decree of 31 May 1782.