THE MONTHLY 
JOURNAL OF SCIENCE. 
SEPTEMBER, 1879. 
I. THE CRIMINAL LAW OF THE. FUTURE. 
OTHING is more common than for men to express 
an authoritative opinion upon subjects which lie 
remote from their ordinary sphere, and which they 
have never made the theme of serious study. Very fre- 
quently it happens that their lucubrations are received with 
more favour than are the writings of the specialist based 
upon the researches of a lifetime. We see for instances 
novelists, barristers, dramatists, statesmen, and the like, 
who have never worked for a single hour in a biological 
laboratory, come forward with the most charming confidence 
to solve such problems as the origin of organic species. 
Hence surely it will not be deemed unpardonable pre- 
sumption if a biologist, in his turn, attempts to apply one 
of the most recent principles of his science to an important 
social question — we mean to the treatment of crime. 
It is well known that the general current of what is 
called the “ spirit of the age ” has tended in the direction of 
increasing leniency to offenders. Capital punishments have 
been abolished in some countries with but very unsatisfactory 
results, as may be seen in Italy, Switzerland, and Spain. 
In others they are greatly restricted, even in case of the 
most monstrous crimes. “ Extenuating circumstances ” in 
France and recommendations to mercy in England save 
many a villain from the gallows. Not content with this 
state of things, we have a “ movement ” and a society for 
the total abolition of the extreme penalty. What the next 
step will be if this is effected we know not, unless garotters, 
corner men, and ruffians in general are to receive a bonus 
for every unoffending person they maim or kill. It may 
VOL. ix. (n.s.) 2 P 
