19 MARCH 1864, Page 3

Sir George Grey has outdone himself. He replied to the

peti- tion from Birmingham, praying that George Hall might be spared, by an elaborate letter demonstrating that, in the Home Secretary's .opinion, he ought to be hanged. A little more pressure was applied, however, and then Sir George Grey decided that he ought not to be hanged, and reprieved him during the Queen's pleasure. There never, probably, was a murderer who deserved hanging less, And the Home Secretary, consequently, could hardly bear not to ]fang him, and has not even now, though allowing that new evidence has reduced the crime to manslaughter, reduced the penalty too.