h death, as it has
been latterly. LI AElfrid. 31. and 25 H. 8. c. 6. see
Beccaria, Sec. 31. Montesq.

****Bracton, Fleta, &c.

But no one shall be punished for Polygamy, who shall have married after
probable information of the death of his or her husband or wife, or
after his or her husband or wife hath absented him or herself, so that
no notice of his or her being alive hath reached such person for seven
years together, or hath suffered the punishments before prescribed for
rape, polygamy, or sodomy.

Whosoever, on purpose, and of malice forethought, shall maim* another,
or shall disfigure him by cutting out or disabling the tongue, slitting
or cutting off a nose, lip, or ear, branding, or otherwise, shall be
maimed, or disfigured in like** sort: or if that cannot be for want of
the same part, then as nearly as may be, in some other part of at least
equal value and estimation, in the opinion of a jury, and moreover,
shall forfeit one half of his lands and goods to the sufferer.

* 22 &l 23 Car. 2, c. 1. Maiming was felony at the Common
law. Britton, c 95. Mehemiurn autem dici poterit, ubi
aliquis in aliqua. parte sui corporis la sionern acceperit,
per quam affectus sit inutilis ad pugnandum: ut sirnanus
ampuletur, vel pes, octilus privetur, vel scerda de osse
capitis lavetnr, vel si quis dentes praer. isores amiserit,
vel castratus fuerit, et talis pro mahemiato poterit
adjudicari.' Flela, L. 1. c. 40. 'Et volons que nul maheme
nesoit tenus forsque de membre toilet dount home est plus
feble a combatre, sicome, del oyl, on de la mayn, ou del
pie, on de la tete debruse, ou de les dentz devant.'
Britton, c. 25. For further definitions, see Braclon, L. 3.
c. 24 Sec. 3. 4. Finch, L. B. 3. c. 12; Co. L. 126. a b 288. a;
3 Bl. 121; 4 Bl 205; Stamf. P C. L. 1. c. 41. I do not find
any of these definitions confine the offence to wilful and
malicious perpetrations of it. 22&23 Car. 2. c. 1, called
the Coventry act, has the words 'on purpose and of malice
forethought.' or does the Common law-prescribe the same
punishment for disfiguring, as for maiming.

** The punishment was by retaliation. 'Et come ascun appele
serra de tele felonie atteint et attende jugement, si soit
le jugement tiel que il perde autriel membre come il avera
toilet al pleintyre. El sy la pleynte soit faite de femme
qu