14 SEPTEMBER 1901, Page 14

"MERCY TO PARTICULARS IS CRUELTY IN • THE GENERAL."

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR.")

IR.—In the Spectator for August 31st you express a qualified approval of the infliction of the death punishment for "killing surrendered men." In the Spectator of June 21st, 1711 (No. 97), is an account of the wise King Pharamond of France which makes him say he "repented of many acts of mercy which had a magnificent aspect in the doing, but dreadful consequences in the example. Mercy to particulars_is cruelty in the general : a Prince cannot revive a dead man by taking his life who killed him, neither could he make reparation to the next that should die by the evil example [of pardon], or answer to himself for the partiality in not pardoning the next as well as the former offender."—I am, Sir, &c.,