Page:Essay on Crimes and Punishments (1775).djvu/144

 last to the inevitable misery of herself and her unhappy infant! The best method of preventing this crime, would be effectually to protect the weak woman from that tyranny which exaggerates all vices that cannot be concealed under the cloak of virtue.

I do not pretend to lessen that just abhorrence which these crimes deserve, but to discover the sources from whence they spring; and I think I may draw the following conclusions: That the punishment of a crime cannot be just, (that is necessary), if the laws have not endeavoured to prevent that crime by the best means which times and circumstances would allow.

UICIDE is a crime, which seems not to admit of punishment, properly speaking; for it cannot be inflicted but on the