which killing is no murder[1]. Designed seduction, if followed to all its probable effects of vice and misery, is one of the greatest crimes that can be committed; and exceeded in hurtfulness by few affecting private individuals only, except murder. But there are gradations in the one as in the other, according to the degree of intention: there is a poison which undermines and destroys the vitals of virtue; an assassination, which attacks it in its unguarded and defenceless seasons; culpable homicide, in which without malice propense both parties are to blame, and chance-medley the effect of unfortunate situations and collisions of passions. From such recontres female virtue is more frequently in danger than from any other. Many persons who are
- ↑ See Hume's History of Oliver Cromwell, vol. vii.
