f importance in this discussion, and as it
seems to possess a considerable analogy in its bearing to the
suggestions already thrown out, it may possibly have greater weight in
conjunction with them than if it were brought forward alone. In every
system of penal jurisprudence it seems to be of the first importance
to let it be felt that the true degradation lies more in the crime
itself, than in the expiatory punishment by which it is followed.
Whenever this principle is not duly understood, punishments lose half
their value, while they are often virtually augmented in severity. The
object of all punishments is evidently to prevent the recurrence of
offences, either by others or by the offender himself. But it is not,
by any means, intended that he should not have a full and fair chance
allowed him for a return to virtue. The very instant punishment is
over, he should be allowed to start afresh for his character. If a man
is never to have his offence or his chastisement forgotten, he can
hardly be expected to set seriously about the re-establishment of his
damaged reputation.

Neither ought it to be forgotten, that a man so circumstanced has
really stronger claims on our sympathy, and is more entitled to our
protection, than if he had never fallen under censure. He has, in some
sort, if not entirely, expiated his offence by the severity of its
consequences; and every generous-minded officer must feel that a poor
seaman whom he has been compelled, by a sense of duty, to punish at
the gangway, instead of being kept down, has need of some extra
assistance to place him even on the footing he occupied before he
committed any offence. If this be not granted him, it is a mere
mockery to say that he has any fair chance for virtue.

It might, therefore, I think, be very usefully made imperative upon
the captain, at some short period after a punishment has taken place
(say on the next muster-day), and when the immediate irritation shall
have gone off, to call the offender publicly forward, and in the
presence of the whole ship's company give him to understand that, as
he had now received the punishment which, according to the rules of
the service, his offence merited, both the one and the other were,
from that time forward, to be entirely forgotten; and that he was now
fully at liberty to begin his course anew. I can assert, from ample
experience, that the beneficial effects of this practice are very
great.

FOOTNOTES:

[7]