Goal-Cradle, Who Rocks It? (Crime and Punishment in England, 1850-1922) - Hardcover

Waugh, Benjamin

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0824062086 ISBN 13: 9780824062088

Publisher: Taylor & Francis, 1984

Synopsis

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1873. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER II. STARTED FOR THE HULKS--JUST INJUSTICE. Whatever can possess the country to be contented with its present Criminal Law? Surely there must be in the popular mind lack of all knowledge and lack of all interest, or this contentment could not last one day longer. We know that there is a police court; we read about it; read that its officers take up and send to prison beggars, and fighters, and thieves, and we are glad of it; but, were we better informed, how often should we blush at its services as only legalized atrocities! Fairly consider the following events, taken from the lawful proceedings of English officials who dominate the poor-boy world by virtue of authority that you and I have given, and judge them without shame, if you can. I see no reason why they should not be regarded as a fair tableaux of events counted by thousands. Passing out of a small pawnbroker's shop is a woman of middle height, pale, somewhat haggard, and evidently in keen mental distress. The shop is of necessity lit with gas though mid-day. It is entered by three steps, down which the woman's transit into the street is made with more than usual speed by some energetic and unfriendly impulse from within, accompanied by a volley of expletives more emphatic than euphonious. The altercation which ensues explains the occasion:--"You know it isn't, you villain! you Swindling villain!" said the almost breathless woman the moment she had.landed on the causeway. There was no mere irritation in the words. The tone was full, the lip quivered, the eye moistened; the deepest and best in the woman trembled in her words: "You swindling villain!" "Go away you!you!or I'll give you in charge," said the pawnbroker, coming from within the cavernous depths of clothing and carpets which lin...

Edition details

• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• Publication date: 1984
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0824062086
• ISBN 13: 9780824062088
• Binding: Hardcover