directed to be conveyed to Canton, to be examined in his presence.
Seventeen are recognized by him and are executed. The rest escape. Now
this is just what might have taken place under the best ordered
governments of Europe. The humane maxims of British jurisprudence, if
not acknowledged in theory, may be here witnessed in practical
operation, and the single circumstance of referring capital convictions
to the Emperor, in his distant metropolis, for confirmation, before they
are carried into effect, shows a respect for human life, even in the
persons of criminals, which is one of the surest tokens of a high state
of civilization. Such is the criminal jurisprudence of China, in
practice; in theory, its just praise has been awarded, some years ago,
by an able writer in the Edinburgh Review. He says:--


"The most remarkable thing in this code, is its great
reasonableness, clearness, and consistency; the businesslike
brevity and directness of the various provisions, and the
plainness and moderation of the language in which they are
expressed. It is a clear, concise, and distinct series of
enactments, savoring throughout of practical judgment and
European good sense. When we turn from the ravings of the
Zendavesta, or the Puranas, to the tone of sense and of business
of this Chinese collection, we seem to be passing from darkness
to light--from the drivellings of dotage to the exercise of an
improved understanding; and, redundant and minute as these laws
are in many particulars, we scarcely know any European code that
is at once so copious and so consistent, or that is nearly so
free from intricacy, bigotry and fiction."