4 MARCH 1938, Page 22

[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR.] SIR, — There is one side

of this practice which is usually forgotten, viz., its effect on the officer of the law who has to inflict the punishment. If the judge who orders the cat had himself to wield it, I doubt whether the sentence would ever be pronounced. Surely it must be a horrible duty for anyone who has a kindly and sympathetic nature, whilst one who is inclined to be brutal would have his brutality fostered