545 CRIME AND PUNISHMENT IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.* I. Crimes punishable by deprivation of life ; and where, upon 1787 the conviction of the offenders, the sentence of death must be pro- nounced by the Judge. Of these, it has been stated, on the authority of Sir William Blackstone, that the whole number, in- cluding all the various shades of the same offence, is about one hundred and sixty. The principal are the following : — Treason and petty treason. Under the former of these is in- cluded the offence of counterfeiting the gold and silver coin. Murder. Arson, or wilfully and maliciously burning a house, bams with com, &c Rape, or forcible violation of chastity. Stealing an heiress. Sodomy, a crime against nature, committed either with man or beast. Piracy, or robbing ships and vessels at sea ; under which is in- cluded the offences of sailors forcibly hindering their captains from fighting. Forgery of deeds, bonds, bills, notes, public securities, &c. Clerks of the bank embezzling notes, altering dividend warrants; papermakers, unauthorised, using moulds for notes, &c. Destroying ships or setting them on fire. Bankrupts not surrendering or concealing their effects. Burglary, or house-breaking in the night-tima Highway robbery. House-breaking in the day-time. Privately stealing, or picking pockets above one shilling. Shop-lifting above five shillings. Stealing bonds, bills, or bank notes. Stealing bank notes or bills from letters. Stealing above forty shillings in any house. Stealing above forty shillings on a river. Stealing linen, &c., from bleaching-grounds, «&c, or destroying linen therein. Maiming or killing cattle maliciously. Stealing horses, cattle, or sheep. Shooting at a revenue officer, or at any other person. Pulling down houses, churches, ifec. Breaking down the head of a fish-pond, whereby fish may be lost. Cutting down trees in an avenue, garden, &c
- Colquhoun, Police of the Metropolis, p. 437.
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