OBSERVATIONS prane is Hargrave. ON THE 573. CRIMINAL LAW OF ENGLAND, - AS IT RELATES TO CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS, AND ON THE MODE IN WHICH IT IS ADMINISTERED. BY SIR SAMUEL ROMILLY. LONDON: PRINTED BY J. M'CREERY, BLACK-HORSE-COURT, FOR T. CADELL AND W. DAVIES, STRAND. 1810. ADVERTISEMENT. THE following Observations contain the substance of a Speech delivered in the House of Commons on the 9th Feb. 1810, on moving for leave to bring in bills to repeal the Acts of 10 and 11 Will. III. 12 Ann, and 24 Geo. II., which make the crimes of stealing privately in a shop, goods of the value of five shillings; or in a dwelling-house, or on board a vessel in a navigable river, property of the value of forty shillings, capital felonies. Some arguments are added, which on that occasion were suppressed, that the patience of the House might not be put to too severe a trial. The attempt to refute Dr. Paley in particu B ii ADVERTISEMENT. lar, is here considerably enlarged. The arrangement of these observations is certainly very defective; they contain repetitions which might have been avoided, and inaccuracies of style which might have been corrected, if the Author's occupations would have allowed of his rendering this pamphlet as little unworthy of being of fered to the public as he could have wished: but to be useful, it was necessary that this publication should appear before the fate of the bills, which are now depending in parliament, was decided; and his only object in publishing it is, that it may be useful. |