Montalembert is tried and convicted for libel in a French imperial court

The well-known Catholic writer and historian Comte de Montalembert was convicted of libel in a French court and sentenced to six months in prison and a three thousand franc fine. He had recently published an article under the title "Un débat sur l'Inde au Parlement anglais" that compared British government favorably to the French experience. Napoleon had taken to using the libel laws to suppress dissent and Montalembert was duly charged and is convicted. The emperor later set aside the sentence, although Montalembert continued with his appeal, which was partially upheld. He was pardoned completely in December 1858. (By John Osborne)