77 



consider it fitting for the highest spiritual and social crime. 

 We must remember, too, that this was not the act of St. 

 Peter only, but of a higher power against whose decrees no one 

 can argue or reply. 



A discussion followed in which the Rev. Dr. Hume, Mr. 

 Banner, Dr. Trench, and others joined, agreeing with Dr. 

 Inman, as to the advisability of retaining the penalty of death. 



Mr. Bloxam and the Eev. Mr. Robberds were in favour of a 

 complete abolition of capital punishments. 



Sixth Meeting — January 8, 1850. 



J. B. YATES, Esq., in the Chair. 



The Rev. St. Vincent Beechey, M.A., was elected a 

 Corresponding Member; and the Rev. A. Ramsay, Mr. E. 

 Harvey, Mr. J. 0. Ryder, and Mr. C. Chambres, were 

 elected Ordinary Members of the Society. 



The following donation was laid upon the table : — 



Proceedings of the Royal Society of Edinburgh y Nos. 4 

 to 34 : from the Society. 



Mr. Edward Higgin exhibited a Hindoo Shaster, or reli- 

 gious book, containing a portion of the laws of Menu. The 

 leaves consisted of slips of Palm leaves, inscribed by a sharp 

 pointed style, in Oordoo, and strung together. He exhibited 

 also a set of hooks and cord, such as are used by fanatics in 

 India, at the Churruch Poojah, for susj^ending themselves by 

 the muscles of the back, the pain being deadened by an 

 anaesthetic, which he had purchased from a native immediately 

 after being used. Many scars were visible in the man's 



