bill to alter the law, which he characterised as--

"One of the savage remains of Norman policy, disgracing our
statute book, as the practice did the common law."

He noticed that the sheriff who did not execute the sentence of burning
alive was liable to a prosecution; but he thanked Heaven there was not a
man in England who would carry such a sentence into effect. He obtained
leave to bring in a bill for altering this cruel law; and in that
session the Act 30 G. III. c. 48. was passed--

"For discontinuing the judgment which has been required by law
to be given against women convicted of certain crimes, and
substituting another judgment in lieu thereof."

A debt of gratitude is due to the memory of Sir Benjamin Hammett, for
his exertions, at that period, in the cause of humanity. Thank God, we
now live in times when the law is less cruel, and more chary of human
life.

OCTOGENARIUS.

* * * * *

A NOTE ON MORGANATIC MARRIAGES.

Grimm (_Deutsche Rechts Alterthumer_, vol. ii., p. 417.), after a long
dissertation, in which it appears that the money paid by the bridegroom
to the wife's relations (I believe subsequently also to the wife
herself) had every form of a _purchase_, possibly derived also from some