The Sun.
London, England, 1850-08-23 00:00:00

THE SUN,

many lunatics survive through a protracted series of
years in the rudest health, and with the most robust
vigour of frame. But in the generality of instances
the mind and body are each so affected by their
respective derangement, that the health of one may
be said to be wholly incompatible with the disease of
the other. This subtle affinity between the spiritual
and corporeal elements of our nature is so remarkable
that scarcely a day passes without each receiving
some evidence of its reality. The fact may be re-
cognized around us perpetually in a thousand in-
-1
1 stances ; when, for example, we see strong men re-
duced by mental anxiety and wasted away by sor-
rowful emotions, or when, on the other hand, we see
the finest intellects at times rendered morbid by the
continual pressure of physical suffering. These
things, indeed, are so wholly undeniable, that
arguments in illustration of their existence
were little less than an impertinence. They
have been acknowledged by this period alike by the
man of science and the moral philosopher. To gainsay
them would be to set at nought both the deductions
11 of physics and metaphysics.
Such being the results of observation and inquiry,
it becomes the bounden duty of all persons capable of
aiding in i:s development to forward in every posible
way the spread of the Sanitary Movement. The phy-
sicians and surgeons, as a body, have from the
very first taken a noble part in the be-
neficent work of agitation. We would see
their example emulated to the uttermost by the
clergy of all denominations. Let it not, in the name
of GOD, be said by the scoffers at religion, that its
ministers refrain from advocating the development of
sanitary improvements through any fear that those
improvements may be detrimental to their interests—
clearing the minds at the same time that it purifies
the physical condition of the people, and rendering
them consequently less liable to the influences of
fanaticism and superstition. Let them feel that fanati-
cism is to true religion what disease is when contrasted
with health, or idiotcy with genius. Let them
show by their ardour in forwarding the views of the
sanitary reformers that they regard superstition as
inimical to the principles of real morality, just as
they would regard darkness to be the opposite of
light, and ignorance of wisdom. Much remains to be
done in this way by the ministers of Christianity,
and eagerly shall we watch for the time when thty
shall enter into the advocacy of the sanitary princi-
ples with an enthusiasm like that displayed by the
medical profession.

Without the walls of the Parliament a vast deal
has already been accomplished towards the diffusion
of those opinions which are only now beginning to
exercise any authority over the deliberations of the
Legislature. Without the walls of G wydyr House
much has been dune towards the advancement of that,
cause which appears to have only now awakened the
ingenuity of the Sanitary Commissioners. So tri-
vial, indeed, has been the progress made, either in
Whitehall-gardens or "in the legislative palace at
Westminster, towards the adoption of a grand system
of sanitary improvement, that we should have reason
to question at once the humanity and the com-
petence of the Government, but that we
bad learnt long ago to look upon such
procrastination as inevitable. A bitter experience
has taught the multitude the fully of counting upon
the realisation of such dreams of reform without
previously passing through an ordeal of the most
wearisome delays and hesitations. Insomuch is this
felt to be the case, that the people are disposed to be
thankful, as for an actul boon, to the mere delibera-
tions of a Parliamentary Committee. Hap-
pily, by this time, we have gained some-
thing more than this in the way of sanitary
change—the first step having been taken towards its
perfect development by the Metropolitan Interments
Bill passed during the late session of Parliament.
With a proper continuance of agitation yet more may
be accomplished, until by a gradual series of instal-
ments a complete and effectual system is inaugurated.
For this we shall strive unceasingly ; but while the
people look to the Press for perseverance in their
wholesome demands of innovation, they look also for
the satisfaction of those demands to the wisdom and
beneficence of the Government.

If the salutary labours of the Criminal Law Com-
missioners, and the heavy expenditure, nearly
100,000/. sterling, incurred therein, are not to be

laltogether thrown away; if the admirable digests of
" crimes and punishments," and of "the law of pro-
cedure in criminal cases," prepared with so much
care and industry by those experienced and eminent
persons, are to receive the legislative sanction, we
trust that full provision will be made 14 the prose-
cution in every instance, by competent and well-qua-
lified public prosecutors, of all such offences as may
be deemed worthy of notice, and, as a necessary con-
sequence, that the right of private prosecution be
abolished, unless with the express permission of the
public functionary. Experience has shown that
the duty or privilege of private prosecution, which-
ever it may be considered, has but too often led
either to the escape of parties really guilty, or to the
persecution and oppression of innocent persons. In
every such case there is the public and private injury—
the former to society in general by the infringement
of the laws enacted for the protection of the commu-
nity, the latter for the damage sustained by the in-
dividual, for which he may claim pecuniary compen-
sation. This right could not, of course, be interfered
with in any manner. Every person must be the sole
judge of his own concerns in which he is exclusively in-
terested. If he think proper he may remit the punish-
ment and pardon the offender, or he may institute such
proceedings as he may deem best calculated to pro-
cure him redress. But no such option is allowed in
matters affecting the general safety. There the party
will be bound over to appear under heavy pecuniary
penalties in case of default, and, even if any doubt be
entertained of his appearance at the appointed time,
he raay be compelled not only to enter into his own
recngnizances, but to find sufficient sureties that he
will be forthcoming, in such sum or sums as the
presiding magistrate may fix, and, in the event
of refusing or being unable to do so,
may himself be committed to prison, and
severely punished, because he has had the misfortune
to be robbed, assaulted, or otherwise injured. The
breach of the public peace is the only subject that can
be taken into consideration, and as a member of sc-
ciety he must relinquish a certain partion of his own
liberty, and submit to considerable inconvenience fur
the general welfare. This is a just and necessary re-
gulation, although it may appear to press severely on
individuals. Were it otherwise, the law might be
violated with impunity. Wealthy offenders would
always escape, if enabled to compromise with
the prosecutors, and the law itself would
be slighted, despised, and brought into dis-
repute, if it could be asserted with truth that
there was one law for the pour and another for the
rich." It is on the same principle that it has been
determined that " no indictment will lie for a mere
private injury against an individual ;" the machinery
of the criminal judicature could not be brought into
operation for the purpose of enforcing a private right,
or redressing a private wrong, for all such questions
properly come within the civil jurisdiction of the va-
rious tribunals.

But if a party be bound to come forward to promote
the administration of justice whenever called
upon, that is all that can fairly be demanded
at his hands. He must be a witness, because no
other person can be a substitute. But why should.
the onus be cast upon him of conducting the prosecu-
tion, and making himself responsible fur all the costs
and expenses thereof ? According to the constitu-
tional theory he is to receive ample protection in
person and property in return for the surrender of
a portion of his natural liberty, and his contribution
towards the maintenance of the national estable,h-
ments and the liquidation of the national liabilities.
But, under the present unwise and impolitic system,
h is expected to become a species of public
champion, defending the interests of the community
whit h 'save been ded in his person. There are
many evil consequences resulting from this course,
not the least of which IQ, that what is really an act of
public justice is too frequently looked upon as a matter
of private vengeance, and malevolent and vindictive
feelings are excited in the minds of the offenders and
their families against persons who had no alternative,
and could not have acted differently.
There is another evil also resulting from the sys-
tem. Prosecutions are frequently instituted for the
purpose of extortion, of making the accused party