The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-01-23 00:00:00

FLOGGING AS A PUNISHMENT.

The Medical Times and Gazette of the 16th inst. says
that of late the public papers have been teeming with
letters and articles on the subject of flogging as a
punishment. The writers of course differ in opinion.
The truth is more likely to be arrived at by taking a
medium course. The real question to be asked and
answered is this—ls flogging a culprit, under certain
circumstances (such, for instance, as in cases of
garrotting), deterrent of the commission of that crime?
In such exceptional cases it has seemed to have
had a beneficial effect on the criminal classes,
for garotting is much less frequent than it
used to be. It is contended, on the other
hand, that the punishment of the lash is merely
brutalising to its recipient, and to the criminal class
in general; that it does not deter the commission of
crimes with violence. These writers have evidently
in view the humane effort of Sir Samuel Romily and
others, to dispense with flogging altogether. But it
must be remembered that in the time of Romilly the
"lash at the cart tail," in a public thoroughfare, was
a very common mode of punishment for the most
trivial crimes. The disciples of Romilly saw—at
least some of them did—that the entire suppression
of flogging as a means of punishment, and for the
prevention of crime, was a mistake, and that it should
be resorted to in some exceptional cases. It must
be remembered that there is a class of criminals
of such a brutal nature that they are sensitive to
nothing short of physical suffering. Cowards, as they
always are who attack you behind your back, or kick
their wives to death, care not for imprisonment, for
they are well clothed and fed; but they shrink from
bodily pain as the cur shrinks and howls under the
infliction of the whip. These are the men on whom
the lash has a beneficial effect, not only as regards
themselves, but also their companions, who hear of and
dread the suffering caused. Flogging in cases like
these should certainly not be abolished; the real ques-
tion is whether its use should not be extended.

[IA YOUNG ENGLISHMAN DROWNED
AT HAWAII.
Professor Forbes, one of the members of the scien-
tific expedition sent out to observe the transit of
Venus from Hawaii, has sent home to his cousin, the
Bishop of Brechin, particulars of a sad case of drown-
ing which took place on the 20th of November. Mr.
Charles Lambert, aged 24, the son of an English
gentleman living at Coquimbo, Chili, in order to im-
prove his health, accepted an invitation from Captain
Cator, of H.M.S. Scout, to accompany him to the
Sandwich Islands. On the 20th of November, Pro-
fessor Forbes and Mr. Lambert went to bathe. The
wind was blowing high, and Mr. Lambert was carried
away by a strong current. With the assistance of a
native boy the professor got hold of Mr. Lambert,
who was so much exhausted that he was powerless to
make any exertion to save himself. Mr. Forbes struck
out for the shore with the heavy burden in his arms, but
he was carried out to sea, and he resolved to hold his
friend till they should perish together. For ten
minutes longer the professor retained his grasp, when
he discovered that Mr. Lambert was dead, and when
Mr. Forbes was making a final struggle to keep
afloat, a native called Kau, the best swimmer in the
island, appeared and took the corpse of the young
Englishman in his arms. A canoe then reached the
spot, and in it was placed the body of Mr. Lambert
and Professor Forbes, who was almost insensible.
Mr. Lambert's body was conveyed to Honolulu next
day, and he was buried in the English churchyard,
the principal mourner, Mr. Forbes, being so exhausted
that he had to ride in a waggon. The coffin was
covered with the British ensign for a pall.