“In the session of 1836, a report by the Commissioners on Criminal Law--of which the second part was on this subject (the Punishment of Death)--was laid before Parliament. In the ensuing session this was followed by papers presented to Parliament by her Majesty’s command, and consisting of a correspondence between the Commissioners, Lord John Russell, and Lord Denman. Upon the foundation afforded by these documents, the bills of the 17th July 1837--(7th Gul. IV. and 1st Vict. cap. 84 to 89 and 91)--were brought in and passed. These acts removed the punishment of death from about 200 offences, and left it applicable to high treason,--murder and attempts at murder--rape--arson with danger to life--and to piracies, burglaries, and robberies, when aggravated by cruelty and violence.” (Sir Henry Taylor, _Quarterly Review_, Dec. 1841, p. 39.) Some members of the House of Commons--Mr. Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. Ewart, and others--desired a further limitation of the punishment of death to the crimes of murder and treason only: and the question of the entire abolition of capital punishment being virtually before the country, Wordsworth dealt with it in the following series of sonnets.--ED. I SUGGESTED BY THE VIEW OF LANCASTER CASTLE (ON THE ROAD FROM THE SOUTH) This Spot--at once unfolding sight so fair Of sea and land, with yon grey towers that still Rise up as if to lord it over air-- Might soothe in human breasts the sense of ill, Or charm it out of memory; yea, might fill 5 The heart with joy and gratitude to God For all his bounties upon man bestowed: Why bears it then the name of “Weeping Hill”?[197] Thousands, as toward yon old Lancastrian Towers, A prison’s crown, along this way they past 10 For lingering durance or quick death with shame, From this bare eminence thereon have cast Their first look--blinded as tears fell in showers Shed on their chains; and hence that doleful name. [197] The name given to the spot from which criminals on their way to the Castle of Lancaster first see it.--ED. II[198] “TENDERLY DO WE FEEL BY NATURE’S LAW” Tenderly do we feel by Nature’s law For worst offenders: though the heart will heave With indignation, deeply moved we grieve, In after thought, for Him who stood in awe Neither of God nor man, and only saw, 5 Lost wretch, a horrible device enthroned On proud temptations, till the victim groaned Under the steel his hand had dared to draw. But O, restrain compassion, if its course, As oft befalls, prevent or turn aside 10 Judgments and aims and acts whose higher source Is sympathy with the unforewarned, who died[199] Blameless--with them that shuddered o’er his grave, And all who from the law firm safety crave.