The Sun. — 1860-05-17 (London, England)

CURB FOR WIFE-BEATEM.  (From a Correspondent.) First, we are going to say a few words for ourselves, and, secondly, we wish our readers to bear in mind that when a man comes out of the ranks to speak, it is, or ought to be, that other people may think for themselves. There are two points necessary to bear in mind while considering this question; first, avoiding to do evil that good may come; and, secondly, the homoeopathic system applied to words si India sintilibas curantur (like cures like), and how far it is likely to be successful in this case. Let us translate the Latin into plain English on this question— Brutality cures brutality ! That is a striking way of putting it; but it is not ono whit the less true on that account, any more than it is untrue that if this measure be carried it will in all probability increase assaults on the person fivefold. Do not let us wait for such a striking proof of the bad policy of immorality, of introducing into the House of Commons the odious principle (?) that the end justifies the means when the object is a good one. " Oh! no," some ono will say, "it is only the lex talionis (law of tit for tat) but if a Latin quotation will do for an argument on one side of the question it will on the other—" Dot veniam corns, vexat censura columbas." The words are generally applied in mockery. There is no negative in the Latin. We put in the negative, and say what we mean : Do net mete out one measure to the crows, another to the dores.  Moreover, the lex talionis is not, and cannot, be applied with perfect fairness by any man in a case of this kind, or indeed any othor. How is it possible for any one to discover the exact amount of mental and bodily suffering undergone by the victim of an aggravated assault, and then decide whether it ought to be considered a provoked or unprovoked one. And, lastly, how can any man breathing suppose for a moment that he can inflict exactly the same amount of torture of mind and body on the guilty party. It is utter nonsense—flat blasphemy—to suppose anything of the kind.  Do not pursue the lex talionis argument, my readers ; if you can follow it logically, it will bring you to a deadlock sooner or later. It is immoral as well as absurd. God only can thoroughly understand the workings of the human mind—" Vengeance is mine, saith the Lord." Nay, it is not attempted in our laws. What would the lex talionis gentlemen have done with Redpath, the British Bank directors, or Paul, Strahan, and Co. ? The only ease in which it appears to bo attempted is in, the punishment of death for murder. To say it is attempted would be an insult to every judge and every legislator in the land. It is not necessary to remind you of the difference between a protracted and yet unexpected death, which is often the lot of a murdered man, and, a swift, almost instantaneous one, after the preparation with the aid of a chaplain. . . . •  In new countries something like it is practised, and called " Lynching "—hitt is lynching always lex fallout's? Not to waste time in mere talk, a man of common sense, after half an hour's deliberation, can tear the argument to shreds, and watch the blaze of the fragments while he smokes his pipe. Repton, Mfty 7, 1860.