eptible of influence from the losses to
his family by confiscation? That men in general, too,
disapprove of this severity, is apparent from the constant
practice of juries finding the suicide in a state of
insanity; because they have no other way of saving the
forfeiture. Let it then be done away.

Whenever sentence of death shall have been pronounced against any person
for treason or murder, execution shall be done on the next day but
one after such sentence, unless it be Sunday, and then on the Monday
following.*

* Beccaria, Sec. 19; 25 G. 2. c. 37.

Whosoever shall be guilty of Rape,* Polygamy,** or Sodomy,*** with man
or woman, shall be punished, if a man, by castration,**** if a woman,
by cutting through the cartilage of her nose, a hole of one half inch in
diameter at the least.

* 13 E. 1. c. 34. Forcible abduction of a woman having
substance, is felony by 3 H. 7, c 2; 3. Inst. 61; 4 Bl. 208.
If goods be taken, it will be felony as to them, without
this statute: and as to the abduction of the woman, quaere if
not better to leave that, and also kidnapping, 4 Bl. 219. to
the Common law remedies, viz. fine, imprisonment, and
pillory, Raym. 474; 2 Show. 221; Skin. 47; Comb. 10. the
writs of _Homine replegiando_, Capias in Withernam, Habeas
corpus, and the action of trespass? Rape was felony at the
Common law. 3 Inst. 60 but see 2 Inst. 181. Further--for its
definition see 2 Inst. 180. Bracton L.3. 28. Sec. 1. says, the
punishment of rape is '_amissio membrorum, ut sit membrumpro
membra, quia virgo, cum corrumpitur, membrum amittit, et
ideo corruptor puniatur in eo in quo deliquit; oculos igitur
amittat propter aspectum decoris quo virginem concupivit;
amittat et testiculos qui calorem stupri induxerunt. Olim
quidem corruptores virginitatis et castitatis suspendebantur
et eorum fautores, &c. Modernis tamen temporibus aliter
observatur_,' &.c. And Fleta, '_Solet justiciarius pro
quolibet mahemio ad amissionem testiculorum vel oculorum
convictum coudemnare, sed non sine errore, eo quod id
judicium nisi in corruptione virginum lantum competebat; nam
pro virginitatis corruptione solebant abscidi et merito
judicari, ut sic pro membro quod abstulit, membrum per quod
deliquit amitteret, viz. lesticulos, qui calorem stupri
induxerunt_,' &c. Fleta. L. 1. c. 40.