Star.
London, England, 1829-11-10 00:00:00

LOUISIANA.

(corr.)
EDWARD LIVINGSTON. LLD. OF NEW ORLEANS,
TO JEREMY BENTHAM, LONDON.
New York. August 10, 1829.
Sts,—l had intended to delay the request that you would do
me the favour to accept and peruse the Codes of Criminal Law
which I am preparing for the State of Louisiana until I could offer
the whole system for your examination; buts delay bas taken place,
of which you are the cause, in preparing the Code of Evidence, and
my impatience to have a direct communication with you has
induced me, perhaps indiscreetly, to send you the parts of
the system which have been presented for consideration, together
with the preliminary Reports explanatory of their provisions. The
Code of Evidence, which is wanting to complete the system, was
ready about two years since to be put to the press, when I heird
of the publication of your" Rationale of Judicial Proof," and I
could not think of taking another step until I had received all
the lights I was sure this work would throw on the course I was
pursuing. Notwithstanding all my endeavours to procure
a copy from England, I have, by some unaccountable
fatality, been constantly disappointed, but have lately been fortu-
nate enough to procure the only let, I believe, in the United States.
lam tow studying it closely, and already find more than enough
41 mate me rejoice that I was not more precipitate in my publics-
don, while, at the same time, I feel a pride in discovering that
many of the provisions I had inserted have received the sanction of
your judgment. •
It is more than 80 years ago that, then representing this city In
the House of Representatives of the United States, I made an
isudrectual attempt to mitigate the severity of our Penal LAW•r•
The perusal of your works, edited by Dumont, fortified nee in
to proasaue she maim wirsouw a it easookettlmul&
offer. It occurred about twenty years after, by my election to
the Legislature of Louisiana, whither I had removed ; and I
used the confidence of that State by offering them the system you
will find in the accompanying package. It is now under the con-
sideration of a joint Committee of both Houses, and its fate will
be decided in the course of the winter Session. The favourable
notice taken of the first Report in England, and elsewhere in
Europe, has had a considerable effect in predisposing the public
mind to receive it.

In laying before you this work, I offer you little that you have
not a legitimate title to—for hereafter no one can, in criminal juris-
prudence, propose any favourable change that you have not recom-
mended, or make any wise improvement that your superior sagacity
has not suggested.
With the greatest veneration for your character, and the highest
admiration of your useful labours, I am, Sir, your most obedient
arzant, (Signed) EDWARD LIVINGSTON.
The following papers were received with the above letters :
Pages.
Introductory Report to the System of Penal Law, prepared
for the State of Louisiana
System of Penal Law, prepared for the State of Louisiana ;
comprising codes of offences and punishments, of procedure,
of prison discipline, and of evidence applicable as well a
civil as to criminal cases ; and a book containing definitions
of all the technical words used in this system .. 176
Introductory Report to the Code of Procedure
Code of Procedure for giving effect to the Penal Code of the
State of London. 263
Introductory Report to the Code of Reform and Prison
Discipline .. •
51
Code of Reform and l'rison Discipline, being the third part
of the System of Penal Law prepared for the. State of
Louisiana .... .
Total

They are printed with large margins, to receive observations, in
the manner of some copies of Mr. Broughams famous speech.
Dr. Livingston was on his way to Washington, to take his seat
in the Senate for the State to which he does so much honour by his
beneficent and intelligent labour., and by the example he has ►et
of executing that necessary work, the execution of which is, in
other countries, in the hope of preventing it, so positively declared
to be impossible.
_ _

FRENCH FASHIONS.

At the review of the 26th, ladies of the first rank and
fashion left their seats in the coaches, and placed themselves on the
coachman's box, who, with the auistance of the footman, held
the hones.
A carriage, which was distinguished by the elegance of the co-
lours and its high finish, had• the body painted "bless de rsi," and
the wheels. &c. slightly striped with white. It was drawn by
light bay English horses of the greatest bright. There were very
elegant phaetons ; one particularly distinguished was maroon brown,
with a reddish reflection; wheels with black rays. Horses dapple
gray. sky blue liveries. with *ilk epaulets.
Tilburies were more scarce ; a groom on horseback followed
them.
ne of the handsomest dresses seen was a robe of black velvet,
bordered with feathers of the same colour. twisted, and forming
fringes. The same kind of borders are also adopted for hats.
There are some, the extremity of which is made of knots of rib-
bands, terminating in this species of feather (ring's. They are of
an extreme lightness.
Hats are also sported, the success of which is still doubtful, un-
less the season should prove very severe. There are also velvet
great coats lined with furs. They are very becoming
Black velvet hats have been observed trimmed with dahlia-
coloured ribands, surmounted by a single straight feather of the
same Colour as the ribands.
. Under the morning capotes the hair is worn in the English fa.
shluti-i—vis. in lengthimed ringlets falling down. In toll &els, or
sander herits.ruchisis are still much in favour, and varied in all .
sores a tanas-"the heir is worn more in front. .
Cloaks are of the Scotch plaid alined. Satniday, an elegantly.
dresied Lady wore one with fine cidisured and black stripes-
tisene,'La•eateenniore.
.Tbe moot elegant handkerchiefs have embroidered corners; name
fitrm .5 )toed by means of a small groove hair tissue, of gold and
blue silk.
' I Some young persons wear broad velvet bands 'booked at the
;tuck, in the shape of a cravat. The hook is. covered by..a Ana,
fastened with a cameo.
The great coat for• men (l'Habit liedingote) is the newest and
' Wait tastefal costume. This dots b admitted at all inuenitig visits.