666 Sir,

"Thomas Ramsby, a private in the regiment, was sentenced to receive one hundred and fifty lashes, part of which was executed, and he is now dead. I have, therefore, to request you will take the necessary means to make the required investigation.

'R. M'CLEVERTY,

'Colonel of Royal Marines.''

"After hearing the evidence, the jury deliberated about ten minutes, before pronouncing the following verdict: That Thomas Ramsby came by his death in consequence of a locked jaw, arising from the punishment received in pursuance of the sentence of a courtmartial held upon him.' (Cries of 'Bravo!' A person who used this ejaculation was expelled.) The coroner said it was a special verdict, and not quite technical. The foreman said he was glad to hear it called a special verdict, for it had originated in a practice which had long excited the disgust of the public. The jury regretted that such a mode of punishment should continue in the army, when better discipline might produce far more agreeable effects. It was their intention to memorialize the proper authorities against a system which had excited universal indignation. The coroner did not quarrel with the verdict, but thought it a very proper one. His only difficulty was as to its technicality. No memorial could go from this court; but, as individuals, they might do as they intended, and, personally, he should be glad to assist them. The verdict was then signed, and the jury dissolved."

And now, if it be objected to the writer of this note, that, however easy it may be to point out and inveigh

against existing wrongs and abuses, yet that it is not feasible to invent the remedies of these wrongs or abuses, he does not acknowledge the truth of this assertion. And, if he were inquired of by any of his military friends, as to what substitute or degree of mitigation he would suggest with regard to the punishment of FLOGGING, his reply is, that until times and circumstances are gradually amended, and soldiers are become (as they may be) educated to a due sense of their professional character and condition, in cases of emergency and danger, such as those may be supposed to be, when, on active service, it is requisite to appeal to the immediate decision and award of a "drum-head" court-martial, the use of the lash may still be resorted to, under the proviso and limitation of the divine enactment before stated.

But, in general, and especially in cases simply of professional error, not combined with moral delinquency, this mode of punishment shall not be resorted to. The object of all punishment is, or ought to be, not vengeance upon the criminal, not even for example's sake to the witnesses by inspiring them with sordid fear, merely, but the recovery, the improvement, the moral, the professional, the spontaneous, the generous improvement of the parties, the keeping up of the "volunteer" spirit in the soldier. And to this end, undoubtedly, SOLITARY CONFINEMENT, with restrictions as to TIME, and with abundant opportunity for both MANUAL and MENTAL occupation; and above all, the beneficial attendance of a discreet yet zealous clergyman, or regimental chaplain, must be of most avail. But, in order to preclude the frequency and necessity even of such punishment as this, let the British private soldier be stimulated by the hope of REWARD, and by an inculcated sense and code of

HONOUR, instead of the servile dread of a servile punishment without a sense of disgrace. Let the practice of obtaining rank and commissions by purchase be done away. Let the officer himself begin his career in the ranks, and let each man earn and be entitled to claim his promotion only on the score of SENIORITY, extraordinary GALLANTRY, and exemplary CONDUCT, or peculiar professional ABILITY; and not by means of these two curses of this country-BRIBERY and FAVOUR! Privileges and distinctions also, for extraordinary cases of merit, there are to be invented, applicable to all ranks, which cost little yet may be valued much; and the privation of those rewards, privileges, and distinctions, will also subserve for punishments.

The example (I believe unique) of the pious and worthy Lieutenant-colonel Oglander, of the 26th (or Cameronian) Regiment, is such as not only to deserve the attention and imitation of others, but such likewise as ought to obtain to that patriotic and truly Christian officer himself the gratuitous, the fee-free distinction of a peerage for life, as well as the united thanks and commendation of all those who are not too envious to bestow it. The writer of this note has no personal acquaintance whatever with Colonel Oglander, but he derives the high esteem which he entertains for him from a serjeant (of the name of "Lamb") of his regiment, whom he knew to be a remarkably meritorious man and exemplary soldier, and whose SILVER MEDAL PRESENTED TO HIM BY HIS COLONEL (who had made a similar present to MANY others), he (the writer of this note) had an opportunity of inspecting at Tilbury Fort, in the year 1832-3.

Since the foregoing part of this note was first written, in the month of December, 1835, another instance of death has resulted from the execution of the revolting punishment of flogging, in the case of another marine of the Woolwich garrison, of the name of SAUNDRY. The question of " military punishment" has also been debated in Parliament, has further been referred to the investigation of a committee, and has finally been reported to his Majesty by that committee in an unfavourable manner. The infliction of this kind of punishment is still to be continued in the army, with some indefinite limitations and that profession, which CHIVALRY once called its own, is still to be systematically disgraced by a practice-even the semblance of which is scarcely now resorted to as a penalty for the lowest of civil misdemeanors!

12th April, 1836.

79

SERMON V.

Sunday, March 22, 1835.

ON THE MORAL OR SPIRITUAL DISEASES AND DEFORMITIES OF MANKIND.

MATTHEW XI. 2, 6.

Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and said unto him,— "Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another ?" Jesus answered and said unto them, "Go and show John again those things which ye do hear and see; the blind receive their sight, and the lame walk; the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear; the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them: and, blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me.

LUKE VII. 19, 23.

And John, calling unto him two of his disciples, sent them to Jesus, saying,—“ Art thou he that should come, or look we for another ?"—And in that same hour he cured many of their infirmities, and plagues, and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind he gave sight. Then Jesus answering, said unto them, Go your way, and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the Gospel is preached : and, blessed is he whosoever shall not be offended in me !”