It shall be lawful for the Defendant in all Actions, (except Actions for Assault and Battery, false Imprisonment, Libel, Slander, Malicious Arrest or Prosecution, Criminal Conversation, or debauching of the Plaintiff s Daughter or Servant,) and, by Leave of the Court or a Judge, upon such Terms as they or he may think fit, for One or more of several Defendants to pay into Court a Sum of Money by way of Compensation or Amends : Provided that nothing herein contained shall be taken to affect the Provisions of a certain Act of Parliament passed in the Session of Parliament holden in the Sixth and Seventh Years of the Reign of Her present Majesty, intituled An Act to amend the Law respecting defamatory Words and Libel.