Mr, 'Turner on Crimes and Punijhments. 317 



the feverlty be proportioned to the enormity of 

 the crime. But the difference between ethical 

 and political virtue (if fuch an expreflion may 

 be allowed) is no where more apparent, than in 

 this article. The term enormity, when applied 

 to crimes committed againft the laws of morality, 

 fignifies the moral depravity of the aftion, which 

 is diminifhed by any temptations there may be 

 to commit itj fince, as it requires greater forti- 

 tude to refrain from the commifilon of a crime, 

 ■when it is recommended by numberlefs tempta- 

 tions, fo thefe furniOi an apology for the perfon, 

 who has been fo unfortunate as to yield to them. 

 The frequency of the crime, particularly, opera- 

 ting as a temptation, furnilhes an efpecial excufe 

 for its comm.ifTion. And in like manner, all other 

 circumftances, which may tend to induce a man 

 to commit any given offence, a6l like negative 

 quantities in arithmetic, tending to diminifh 

 the fum of enormity, and confequenily to lefTen 

 the punifhment. 



But when any a6lions are confidered as offences 

 againft human laws, the term enormity is not 

 ufed in a moral fenfe, but fignifies the degree of 

 detriment any particular action may occafton to the 

 flate. And, by this rule, adions, in themfelves 

 of little or no moral turpitude, may be punifhed 

 with the greateft feveiity, as is frequently the 

 cafe with the crime of high treafon ; while, on 

 the other hand, the vileft and moft complicated 



ads 



