Page:The genius - Carl Grosse tr Joseph Trapp 1796.djvu/208

 children without support, who will have to bewail this legal murder. As to the other unhappy man, he has been once put to the torture, which had such an effect on his frame, that an immediate repetition of the cruel process, would doubtless put an end to his existence. By the advice of the surgeon of the prison, he has been respited for three weeks, and though you are come to restore his liberty, I am afraid it will be but of little comfort to him, as he is already made a cripple for life. What a shocking reflection for a judge, that he has himself committed the crime of murder, which with a mistaken zeal, and authorized by the form of barbarous laws, he only intended to punish. Though these absolve me from all guilt, yet how criminal and remorseful do I stand at the shrine of violated humanity! I am inconsolable, Sir, and begin to detest the office, which defeating the ends of real justice, constitutes me the lawful tormentor of those of my fellow-creatures who innocently incur the suspicion of crime."

"Worthy Magistrate," interrupted I, "such delicate and humane feelings, in the