The third was committed upon two unprotected females, and with a ferocity of which we should hope few human beings are susceptible, even in their most savage state. The only apparent motive for the cruel and dastardly deed was a pittance of money. How far the wretched monster on whom the guilt of this double murder has been fixed by the law and the testimony, may have been implicated in other deeds of blood ascribed to him by popular rumor, it is not for us to say, but we suppose there is no doubt that he was not long since a convict in the State Penitentiary at Sing Sing, N. Y., and was pardoned by the Executive of that State! How much of his term of punishment was abridged by this interposition of extraordinary clemency, we are not informed; but if the full execution of his sentence would have carried the period of his confinement beyond the 10th of March, 1853, it is clear that the abridgment of it opened the way for the terrible deed which we have now recorded. And are we not justified in holding the pardoning power responsible, _in foro conscientiæ_, at least, for the consequences of taking a convict out of the hands of the ministers of justice, while he is undergoing wholesome discipline by their order, and sending him back into the community as one whose punishment was greater than he deserved? Who knows but that an ill-judged interposition of Executive power may sometimes breed a contempt for public authority, and stimulate a reckless convict to more audacious violations of law! MISSOURI INSANE ASYLUM.--This institution is located in Fulton. It was opened a year since, and has received 70 patients. There are 460 acres of land attached to it, 30 of which are under culture. Dr. T. R. H. Smith is the principal physician. MISSOURI PENITENTIARY.--On the 20th of December there were 232 convicts in custody, of whom 146 were from the county of St. Louis. Of the countries of their nativity, Ireland furnishes the largest number, and Germany the next largest. Of the States of the Union, Pennsylvania furnishes the largest number. We are happy to learn that the physician is a decided advocate of convict-separation. IT IS SAID, (AND WE PRESUME ON GOOD AUTHORITY,) 1.--THAT, on the 12th of November last, notice was given in the British House of Commons of a bill for the codification of the criminal laws. 2.--THAT, in the Massachusetts Legislature, the Committee on Prisons have reported against allowing the families of convicts a portion of their earnings. 3.--THAT, the London Society for improving the condition of the Insane, have offered a premium of twenty guineas for the best essay that shall be presented, showing the progressive changes since Pinel's time in the moral management of the Insane, and the various contrivances to dispense with mechanical restraints.