Ch. 1.
Wrongs.
19
offenders. The injured, through compaſſion, will often forbear to proſecute : juries, through compaſſion, will ſometimes forget their oaths, and either acquit the guilty or mitigate the nature of the offence : and judges, through compaſſion, will reſpite one half of the convicts, and recommend them to the royal mercy. Among ſo many chances of eſcaping, the needy and hardened offender overlooks the multitude that ſuffer ; he boldly engages in ſome deſperate attempt, to relieve his wants or ſupply his vices ; and, if unexpectedly the hand of juſtice overtakes him, he deems himſelf peculiarly unfortunate, in falling at laſt a ſacrifice to thoſe laws, which long impunity has taught him to contemn.
C 2
