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and had taught them to look forward in a hymn （they sang it） to another
life； which would correct the miseries and woes of this。
The new exposition I found in this Ragged School； of the frightful
neglect by the State of those whom it punishes so constantly； and whom it
might； as easily and less expensively； instruct and save； together with the
sight I had seen there； in the heart of London； haunted me； and finally
impelled me to an endeavour to bring these Institutions under the notice of
the Government； with some faint hope that the vastness of the question
would supersede the Theology of the schools； and that the Bench of
Bishops might adjust the latter question； after some small grant had been
conceded。 I made the attempt； and have heard no more of the subject
from that hour。
The perusal of an advertisement in yesterday's paper； announcing a
lecture on the Ragged Schools last night； has led me into these remarks。
I might easily have given them another form； but I address this letter to
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you； in the hope that some few readers in whom I have awakened an
interest； as a writer of fiction； may be； by that means； attracted to the
subject； who might otherwise； unintentionally； pass it over。
I have no desire to praise the system pursued in the Ragged Schools；
which is necessarily very imperfect； if indeed there be one。 So far as I
have any means of judging of what is taught there； I should individually
object to it； as not being sufficiently secular； and as presenting too many
religious mysteries and difficulties； to minds not sufficiently prepared for
their reception。 But I should very imperfectly discharge in myself the
duty I wish to urge and impress on others； if I allowed any such doubt of
mine to interfere with my appreciation of the efforts of these teachers； or
my true wish to promote them by any slight means in my power。
Irritating topics； of all kinds； are equally far removed from my purpose
and intention。 But； I adjure those excellent persons who aid； munificently；
in the building of New Churches； to think of these Ragged Schools； to
reflect whether some portion of their rich endowments might not be spared
for such a purpose； to contemplate； calmly； the necessity of beginning at
the beginning； to consider for themselves where the Christian Religion
most needs and most suggests immediate help and illustration； and not to
decide on any theory or hearsay； but to go themselves into the Prisons and
the Ragged Schools； and form their own conclusions。 They will be
shocked； pained； and repelled； by much that they learn there； but nothing
they can learn will be one… thousandth part so shocking； painful； and
repulsive； as the continuance for one year more of these things as they
have been for too many years already。
Anticipating that some of the more prominent facts connected with the
history of the Ragged Schools； may become known to the readers of The
Daily News through your account of the lecture in question； I abstain
（though in possession of some such information） from pursuing the
question further； at this time。 But if I should see occasion； I will take
leave to return to it。
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CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
I
I will take for the subject of this letter； the effect of Capital
Punishment on the commission of crime； or rather of murder； the only
crime with one exception （and that a rare one） to which it is now applied。
Its effect in preventing crime； I will reserve for another letter： and a few
of the more striking illustrations of each aspect of the subject； for a
concluding one。
The effect of Capital Punishment on the commission of Murder。
Some murders are committed in hot blood and furious rage； some； in
deliberate revenge； some； in terrible despair； some （but not many） for
mere gain； some； for the removal of an object dangerous to the murderer's
peace or good name； some； to win a monstrous notoriety。
On murders committed in rage； in the despair of strong affection （as
when a starving child is murdered by its parent） or for gain； I believe the
punishment of death to have no effect in the least。 In the two first cases；
the impulse is a blind and wild one； infinitely beyond the reach of any
reference to the punishment。 In the last； there is little calculation beyond
the absorbing greed of the money to be got。 Courvoisier； for example；
might have robbed his master with greater safety； and with fewer chances
of detection； if he had not murdered him。 But； his calculations going to
the gain and not to the loss； he had no balance for the consequences of
what he did。 So； it would have been more safe and prudent in the woman
who was hanged a few weeks since； for the murder in Westminster； to
have simply robbed her old companion in an unguarded moment； as in her
sleep。 But； her calculation going to the gain of what she took to be a
Bank note； and the poor old woman living between her and the gain； she
murdered her。
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On murders committed in deliberate revenge； or to remove a stumbling
block in the murderer's path； or in an insatiate craving for notoriety； is
there reason to suppose that the punishment of death has the direct effect
of an incentive and an impulse？
A murder is committed in deliberate revenge。 The murderer is at no
trouble to prepare his train of circumstances； takes little or no pains to
escape； is quite cool and collected； perfectly content to deliver himself up
to the Police； makes no secret of his guilt； but boldly says； 〃I killed him。
I'm glad of it。 I meant to do it。 I am ready to die。〃 There was such a
case the other day。 There was such another case not long ago。 There
are such cases frequently。 It is the commonest first exclamation on being
seized。 Now； what is this but a false arguing of the question； announcing
a foregone conclusion； expressly leading to the crime； and inseparably
arising out of the Punishment of Death？ 〃I took his life。 I give up mine
to pay for it。 Life for life； blood for blood。 I have done the crime。 I
am ready with the atonement。 I know all about it； it's a fair bargain
between me and the law。 Here am I to execute my part of it； and what
more is to be said or done？〃 It is the very essence of the maintenance of
this punishment for murder； that it does set life against life。 It is in the
essence of a stupid； weak； or otherwise ill…regulated mind （of such a
murderer's mind； in short）； to recognise in this set off； a something that
diminishes the base and coward character of murder。 〃In a pitched battle；
I； a common man； may kill my adversary； but he may kill me。 In a duel；
a gentleman may shoot his opponent through the head； but the opponent
may shoot him too； and this makes it fair。 Very well。 I take this man's
life for a reason I have； or choose to think I have； and the law takes mine。
The law says； and the clergyman says； there must be blood for blood and
life for life。 Here it is。 I pay the penalty。〃
A mind incapable； or confounded in its perceptionsand you must
argue with reference to such a mind； or you could not have such a murder…
…may not only establish on these grounds an idea of strict justice and fair
reparation； but a stubborn and dogged fortitude and foresight that satisfy it
hugely。 Whether the fact be really so； or not； is a question I would be
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content to rest； alone； on the number of cases of revengeful murder in
which this is well