MARY ANSELL'S CASE.
[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."' SIR, With all deference to the usually judicial fairness of the Spectator, I venture to think that many of us may reasonably demur both to the tone and to the assumptions of your article in the Spectator of July 22nd on Mary Ansell's case. In common with a number of other journals of influence, you appear to have overlooked the fact that what at least a large proportion of the memorialists, including especially the one hundred Members of Parliament, confined their petition to, was simply a request for a week's delay for further inquiry. In view of the conflicting statements made, on apparently good authority, and, in particular, in the face of the action and urgent plea of the foreman of the jury, such a request was surely warranted under the circumstances, and was not putting undue pressure upon the Home Secretary. And even as to those memorialists who were desirous of a commutation of the sentence, either to penal servitude or lifelong confinement in an asylum, they cannot, with fairness, be charged with advocating " sentimental " laxity, in view of the fact that already and in general the British Government practically consigns nearly half of its death-sentenced murderers to such permanent detention, as being presumptively a retribution at once adequate for public security and for deterrent influence.—I am, Sir, &c.,
Previous page
