112 
possessing the common feeling of hu- 
manity must acknowledge that such a 
punishment is a disgrace to the coun- 
try in which it is tolerated; that it ori- 
ginated in an age of barbarism and 
depravity, and ‘that it ought not to be 
found amongst the laws of any coun- 
try which has advanced one step to- 
wards civilization. Such a punish- 
ment is viewed with horror when 
inflicted on a dog, and most decidedly 
ought not to be inflicted on man. In- 
deed I have never been able to bring 
my mind to the conclusion, that man 
in a state of society has necessarily 
entered into any compact which, 
strictly speaking, can enable any go- 
vernment, or set of men, to take away 
his life. ‘Such a power belongs only 
to God. ‘This opinion will no doubt 
be scouted by the majority of persons 
in existence, namely, those who think 
that every thing which is sanctioned 
by the government under which they 
live is right, and that to propose any 
alteration in the laws or usages which 
have been adopted by preceding gene- 
rations, arises from either madness or 
folly ; but it will meet with little oppo- 
sition from those who think. 
The grand object of all punishment 
is, or atany rate ought to be, the pre- 
vention of crime; and there are cer- 
tainly many other punishments which 
would tend much more effectually to 
prevent the increase of the crimes be- 
fore mentioned than that used in this 
country. Experience proves that, un- 
der the existing laws, such crimes 
have rather increased than decreased. 
With this fact staring us full in the 
face, I say it becomes the duty of the 
legislative assembly of this kingdom 
immediately to adopt such a law as 
would effectually prevent the now too 
frequent commission of the most horrid 
crimes. 
There is an opinion prevalent 
amongst the vulgar, which has, I am 
afraid, too often been the cause of the 
commission of much crime, namely, 
that God in his infinite mercy will for- 
give all, however base and wicked, 
who sincerely repent of their sins ; and 
that, by clinging to the robes of Christ’s 
righteousness, they will eventually 
become the children of God, and 
escape the punishment that awaited 
the damned. That many of the basest 
malefactors have died in such a be- 
licf, is no doubt true, because they 
have exclaimed, just as they were 
about to be launched into eternity, 
On the Punishment of Crime by Death. 
[Sept. 1, 
“Oh! what a joyfal moment this is 
for me; I feel conscious that I am go- 
ing into the arms of my Redeemer; his 
blood is sufficient for me.” I am 
aware that it ill becomes man to set 
bounds to the mercy of the King of 
Kings, but surely any one may rea- 
sonably suppose, that if such an opi- 
nion gains ground among the vulgar, 
it cannot excite much surprise if, at 
no very distant period, man should 
willingly cut the throat of his fellow 
man, in order that he may finally be 
wafted into the realms of everlasting 
bliss. The punishment the most 
likely to prevent crime is confine- 
ment or banishment. 
B—mf—d. Cc. D. 
—— 
For the Monthly Magazine. 
The actuaL state of the GREEK 
ISLANDS; by MARKAKY ZALLONI, a 
native of TINOS, physician to PRINCE 
ALEXANDER SUZZO. 
ROKO, a small inconsiderable 
village, is the next we arrive at, 
and stands about six miles out of the 
road from San Nicolo, and about as 
far from the port Palermo. At Lazaro, 
about a quarter of an hour’s walk from 
Kroko, all the people are Catholics. 
The river that rises a little below this 
place turns a number of mills; but, in 
mmer, these frequently stand still 
or want of water. At Perastra, a 
little further on, we enter upon the 
level country. From Perastra to 
Komi is ten minutes’ walk, during 
which it is necessary to ford the river 
fo arrive on the left side. Komi is a 
large town, divided into Upper, 
Lower, and Middle, a rivulet runs 
through two of the latter divisions. 
The inhabitants, who are all Catholics, 
do not enjoy the best health, owing to 
the insalubrity of the neighbouring 
marshes, especially in summer. Mastro 
Markadho, the next village, is very 
small; to reach here we leave Kar- 
kadho, which may be seen at a consi- 
derable distance on the left. Kilia, 
half an hour’s distance from this place, 
is a village situated in a gorge between 
two mountains, and the most consider- 
able in all the Katomeri or lower part 
of the island. It is traversed by a 
rivulet of excellent water ; the inhabi- 
tants are all Catholics, and possess the 
largest bellin the island. 
Actopholea, about a mile from Kilia, 
is situated upon a steep and high 
mountain, from whence it derived its 
name, signifying “the eagle’s nest.” 
About 
