Star.
London, England, 1830-05-10 00:00:00

MONDAY EVENING, MAY 10, 1830.

THE POOR ANATOMIZING BILL.

It is expected that in the early part Of the
present
will
be this most unfeeling and demoralising measure will
be again brought before the legislature. We are there-
fore looking forward with the most fearful anticipations
that this odious and invidious subject, when again
pressed upon the attention of Parliament, may be ulti-
mately carried, and that the dead bodies of the poor of
England will hereafter be subject to be " cut up" and
mutilated by " Act of Parliament." In the House of
Lords, during the last session, this unpopular, execrable,
self-interested, and abominable, poor-cutting-up-bill was
introduced by Lord Calthorpe, but was thrown out—
after passing the Commons—by a considerable majority.
Since that period—indeed very latterly—a letter
has been received by Lord Calthorpe on the subject,
written by a gentleman of very considerable experience,
and whose opinions are, in consequence, of no mean
value. We understand that when this Bill is again
brought under the notice of the legislature, various altera-
tions and amendments will be made agreeably to the
suggestions of the writer of the following letter to the
nobleman alluded to ; an extract from which we have
been permitted to make, and which we subjoin.—Sen-
day Paper.
Extract ofa Letter to the Right Honourable Lord Caltborpe, on the
subject of " A Bill for preventing the unlawful disinterment of
human bodies, At."

" It appears that all the opposition which has manifested itself
against the passing of the bill in question has arisen in consequence
of that clause which enacts that the bodies of ALL persons who die
in prisons or workhouses, not claimed by relations or friends within
osoonly-hro hours, are to be given up for anatomical purposes t and,
therefore, the only difficulty which now presents itself to delay the
passing of a similar bill appears to be, (In the first place) bow a
sufficient number of bodies to supply all the anatomical schools, con.
templated by the bill, can be obtained ; and (in the second place)
how that supply can be procured in the least otensive manner to the
feelings and prejudices of the community at large. I would there-
fore seggest to your Lordship that the bodies of the following per-
sons should be appropriated to the advancement of anatomical
science:—

" Ist —ALL persons who are hanged...not confining dissection
to murderers only.
" 2nd. Persons wbo die in prison ruder sentence of death.
"fid. Convicts, under sentence of transportation, who die either
in prison, on board the Hulks, in any of his Majesty's Dock.yords,
or in any other part of England or Scotland.
" 4th. Persons jetted dead, who are not claimed by relations
or Mends within 72 hours atter an inquest has been holden.
" sth All persona who commit suicide (no matter under what
eirenanstasoes, nor whether sane or not at the time of committing
the act).—the Coroner, before whom the inquest is held, to send la-
' mediate information to the office of the commissioners for licensing
schools of anatomy. In order that this last clause should be ren-
dered as palatable as possible to the higher orders of society, I would
propose that a body might be redeemed, by relations or Mends, on
payment of a fine of E—. (my &..501.); such fines to be appro-
priated towards raising a fund to defray the expenses of founding a
National School qf Anatomy, or any other public institution con-
nected with that branch of medical science."

PRICE 7D.

Conscience, as they are termed. Lucas a non Incendo.
Courts of Conscience, because the majority of appli-
cants and defendants have no conscience at all. These
courts are thronged by the lower orders, whose love of a
bit of law," induces them to become suitors because
law is cheap. To speak legally, " abusus non tollit
atom," and it is the abuses only that we refer to. The
institution of these courts is of high utility, but yet in
their love of litigation many persona are led hither who
would else have existed quietly, but have here an easy
means of gratifying their law-propensity and revenge,
and the facility induces the practice. It is to be feared
that these courts whence there is no appeal, are but too
frequently the arena of malice and' perjury, and ere
Mang are resorted to " for the more speedy recovery of
ersaall debts," it may be well to consider if the feasibility
of litigation, alias cheap law, do not superinduce much
mischief and injustice, and increase a spirit of oppression
injurious to the morals of the lower classes, and conse-
quently pernicious to the well doing of society.