The sun., 1918-09-15

mixing I'D his Determnsm with theory about the
uselcssncss of punishment, with which it had really
nothing to do. The ablest opponents Of a faallstic
philosophy have constantly pointed out that De-
feminist can quite logically punish. 1t may be
true that the burglar whom Society sends to prison
is what he is in consequence of his heredity and
environment. But the fact that burglars are sent
to prison is part of the burglars environment and
may perfectly well modify his actions. To say that
threatening the criminal with punishment cannot
change his conduct because that conduct is gov
erned by the laws of nature is absurd as it would
be to say that q brake cannot check the speed OF
train because that speed is regulated by the laws
Of motion. Mr. BIATCHFORD, however, thought well
to reinforce his logical argument by an appeal 10
the worlds sentimental compassion for Offenders,
and by so doing gave G. X. c. his chance.
The Case of Sister Zenobia.
"How he used it the following typical example
will show Mr. B1ArCHFoRD had explained that II
no found small boy hitting his sister he would not
punish the boy, but would make an appeal to him
in these words:
"'My dear lad, you mustn't hit a grit 1t IS
cowardly Men don't hit pomen. And YOU must
not allow yourself to get into passion II you
do your temper will master you. Come, laddie, be
q gentleman. Who will love Sis if you donti
What if she did tease you? Let her. She likes 1t,
bless her. And you are not baby. Pooh! don
be muff. Go and put your cap on, and we il have
game of cricket
"The opening was too good a one for Mr.. ChIs-
TERToN to lose. He replied, with considerable
humour and really unanswerable logic:
= "'You say you would talk like this to the little
boy. / hope you will forgive me if | say that
think YOU are wise to choose little boy: should
recommend a very little boy. But do not talk like
that to any one who has read your philosophical
works. If the little boy, instead of combining HIM
self to adventure stories (Which may be called the
literature of Free Win were to equip himself
largely, from back numbers of the Clarion, with
your philosophy and phraseology, he would
think open his infant lips and deliver Il crushing
reply as follows
"'"What meaning am ! to attach, nay dear
father, to your extraordinary statement that must
not hit ZENOBIAY That l have already done 1t
proves that | must have done it. That blow was
the inevitable outcome of heredty and environ
ment My rather ferocious heredity derived posi-
bly, from yourself), the environment totherwlse
ZENoBIA), produced result like a result in chem
istry You say it is cowardly. l assure you, with
scientific calm, that was born cowardly. As for
your assertion that Men don't hit women my
very slight knowledge of life enables me to meet
it with direct negative Men do. | am Agnostic
upon the question you raise of who is to love Sis il
/ don't But am quite clear that somebody or
nobody must do it if can't. Barring the express
sion Bless her'-whch, as probably abbrevia-
ton of 'GoD bless her, cannot but regard as a
relic of barbarism-I am quite ready 10 allow you
to love the young woman if you can. 1t is trick
of your inherent temperament to love ZENoBrA. 1t
is q trick of mine to hit her. Arc you an
sweredi"'''
The Lost Emotion.