how ought we to set about the accomplishment of so great an undertaking as the deliverance of mankind from one of the greatest of their earthly calamities! Eloquence the most impressive, arguments the most conclusive, are "heard, applauded, and forgotten." No man of any feeling can take up a volume in which the horrors and miseries of war are displayed, without a wish that these things might not be :-but when he closes the book he returns to his usual avocations, and thinks no more upon the subject. The world has long been in possession of every argument against the principles and practice of war, and the object of the. Philanthropist now should be to bring conviction to action. "A threefold cord is not easily broken." Associations have been formed in this country for benevolent purposes, and the ends of such associations have been more or less answered.

May I here, by way of proposal, exhibit a few outlines of a plan for forming a Society for the Purpose of extending Information on the Subject of War?

That the basis of the Society may in the first instance be laid in those who have the means of speedily raising something of a fund for the necessary expenses of so extensive an undertaking.

That the parent Society might be established in London; and from thence, as from a centre, such information might be communicated to other parts of the kingdom, as would be the means of encouraging the formation of auxiliary societies.

That from these auxiliary societies may emanate smaller associations confined to any given district or series of villages.

That the subscriptions be for the most part on the same plan as in the Bible Society, admitting the contributions of a penny a week.

That the object of the Society be to diffuse knowledge upon the subject of War and Peace. That encouragement should be given to such as would present the most faithful details of the actual circumstances of War.

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That from time to time the Society should publish tracts upon the several questions relating to the subject. It is well known how many truly benevolent men are misled by some plausible sweeping remark, and led to bear with complacency what if properly viewed they would not tolerate for a moment. It has been often observed, that the luxuries and vices of Peace than the scourge of War: and it is not unfrequently asserted, that the interval of peace is less prosperous than the period of war. But it is war that has made it so as the sober moment of the. habitual drunkard is a period of lassitude and pain, it may be proved that the good effects to which it is pretended that war is

carry

subservient, are in every respect better answered by peace. may be shown that war is not necessary to carry off the excess of population. It may be demonstrated that a throne is not better secured by war than by peace. It may be proved that peace will find more employment than war for the population at large. It may be proved that national honour and peace are not incompatible. It may be proved that civilisation will extend further and more rapidly in peace than in war. Thus may every separate question be agitated; and, coming from a large association, may gain more attention than from the pen of an individual.

The Society needs not to be confined to this country; the friends of peace must be scattered over the world. Those on the Continent who unite with the Bible Society, would cheerfully give their countenance and support to a society of this description. Truth must prevail.

One good feature in a society of this nature might be, that it would be the means of doing much good, even should it never succeed in its ultimate object, or though many generations should pass away ere the state of civil society were improved. It would be able to alleviate many of the miseries of war— -assistance might be given to such as, though sufferers by war, were not entitled to any claim upon the public purse. The Society might be able to afford an asylum to many of the children and orphans of soldiers and sailors who are now without refuge. And would it not also be the means of diffusing more of the peaceable spirit of Christianity?

I am convinced, Sir, if the plan were once set on foot, it would not want encouragement. Surely, if ever there were a season for such an attempt, it is the present. The world has been harassed and tormented with war almost incessantly for upwards of twenty years past; and time enough has been given to try the experiment fairly, how well we could do with war. It would be well worth while now to make an attempt to do without it. We may calculate upon every sincere Christian as the friend of peace: for though many acknowledge war as a necessary evil, yet surely they do not think it desirable, and could have no objection to try the experiment at least how far men can be persuaded to live without it.

The above remarks are submitted with diffidence to yourself and correspondents, with the sincere wish that they may be useful. I am, Sir,

Yours, &c.

A FRIEND OF PEACE,

Bury St. Edmunds, 17th April, 1915.

Capital Punishment.-Second Report of the Society for the Diffusion of Knowledge upon the Punishment of Death, and the Improvement of Prison Discipline.

THE long catalogue of crimes to which the punishment of death is annexed by the English law, has frequently directed the serious consideration of men of enlightened minds to its justice and its policy. And although a considerable difference of opinion prevails, the great weight of authority is in favour of some important amelioration in this part of criminal jurisprudence. The inefficiency of this punishment to prevent or even diminish the commission of crimes, seems generally acknowledged. In the present state of society, the rigorous execution of these laws would excite a general abhorrence of their sanguinary character; and a modification in the practice of judges and of juries has been introduced, amounting to a virtual abrogation of the law, not to be easily reconciled with the principles either of moral or religious obligation: can it therefore be deemed premature to introduce such an alteration in the law as may reconcile it to the present advanced state and more refined condition of public opinion? The labours of Howard and Neild, supported by various subordinate inquiries, have shown the numerous deficiencies of prison discipline, and how ill adapted it is in its s present state to accomplish its great object-the reformation of the offender, and his restoration to society. However beneficial it may be to remedy these evils, it is not desirable that any hasty or indigested measures should be adopted or pursued: those who sow must not be too eager to reap a judicious alteration of the laws will follow the gradual diffusion of knowledge, and must be consequent on the general conviction of its propriety: for this purpose, it is requisite to keep the public attention alive; to bring before its view such facts and discussions as may throw light upon the question; to subject every new measure to the most accurate examination, and to check any hazardous experiments. The impolicy of capital punishments, and the expediency of revising the system of prison discipline, having once taken strong hold of the public mind, collision of sentiment will naturally lead to the best substitutes and the most effectual remedies. Many prejudices must be removed; many objections investigated and answered; and no inconsiderable share of time and patience must be exercised and employed, before society can reap its reward from a well-regulated oeconomy in the punishment of crimes. The zeal and talents of any individual, however distinguished,

must terminate with his life; and the cause which, with uninterrupted labour, might have prospered, may be left to languish in neglect and obscurity. The formation of a Society, therefore, composed of members competent to assist each other in the prosecution of these objects; whose duty it is, as one coadjutor drops off in the course of nature, to select another; and who thus preserve a perpetual succession by united effort to promote a common end, affords at once the means most rational and most effectual to secure a favourable result.

"With these views a Society was formed in the year 1808, for the diffusion of knowledge upon the punishment of death and the improvement of prison discipline, and the attention of the legislature being directed to these subjects afforded additional encouragement to their endeavours. Although this Society cannot yet boast of having produced any considerable effect, yet they trust foundations have been laid which rest for support upon a rock. Their first object was, to collect and publish the sentiments of various authors who had treated directly or incidentally upon these topics, and whose weight, either of argument or authority, was likely to influence the public. This collection extended to a greater length than was originally anticipated, and the expense of the publication, in 3 vols. 8vo, has been a heavy charge on the funds of the Society. Another source of expenditure has arisen from the expediency of possessing as complete a body of information as it was practicable to obtain, occasioning the purchase of books, pamphlets, sessions papers, and other public documents. Other disbursements have been made for original discussions: for the publication of debates in Parliament; of curious facts; and occasional advertisements connected with these inquiries. The amount of subscriptions and payments stands as follows:

Cash in hand, Jan. 1815. 27 0

Debts outstanding £216. 7s. 1d.

Original compositions, collecting information, reports

of speeches in Parliament, and for copying, digesting, and compiling papers and tables Advertisements and miscellaneous expenses

£. I.

523 19

68 15

462 16

93 15

£1149 5

"Much, however, remains to be done before these objects can be even partially accomplished facts and circumstances will occur to be made known: new views will be constantly presenting themselves; and various means, which it is not practicable to defme or enumerate, must be resorted to, to obtain the attention and secure the co-operation of the public. For these ends a constant supply of funds is requisite, and the pecuniary aid of those is solicited who are anxious to promote a cause at once inportant in its consequences to the public welfare, and interesting to the best feelings of human nature.”

I have pleasure in being able to communicate the Report of a Society which has been established for some years, for the purpose of collecting information upon capital punishment. It is a great satisfaction to find that on such an important subject, by the exertions of a few individuals, a stock of knowledge has been gradually accumulated, which may eventually be of the most extensive benefit. To the objecting and cautious politician, who believes that all reform is dangerous, and the precursor of revolution, it is in vain to urge that reform would in most cases, if judiciously introduced, be the preventive and antidote of revolution, and that all institutions are secure in proportion as they are accommodated to the circumstances, the manners and characters,―in other words, the interest of the people for whom they are framed. But cases and facts speak home to the bosoms and common apprehensions of all. They awake the curiosity of the most thoughtless, and excite the interest even of those who have been most bewildered and most hardened by selfish considerations.

On the subject of Punishment there are many notions prevalent, which, however long ago they may have been exploded by inquirers into morals, still maintain their ascendancy over a Large portion of the community; and we frequently meet with