CHAP. XVI.

Page
Of OFFENCES against the HABITATIONS of INDIVIDUALS 220

Of the RISE, PROGRESS, and gradual IMPROVEMENTS of

the Laws of ENGLAND

...... 407

APPENDIX.

i

iv

§ 1. RECORD of an Indictment and Conviction of MURDER,

at the Assises .............

§ 2. Conviction of Manslaughter

§ 3. Entry of a Trial instanter in the Court of King's Bench,

upon a collateral Issue ; and Rule of Court for

Execution thereon

§ 4. Warrant of Execution on Judgment of Death, at the

general Gaol-delivery in London and Middlesex

§ 5. Writ of Execution upon a Judgment of Murder before

the King in Parliament

V

vi

vii

INDEX.

COMMENTARIES

ON THE

LAWS OF ENGLAND,

.

BOOK THE FOURTH.

OF PUBLIC WRONGS.

CHAPTER THE FIRST.

OF THE NATURE OF CRIMES; AND

THEIR PUNISHMENT.

WE

E are now arrived at the fourth and last branch of

these Commentaries; which treats of public wrongs, or crimes and misdemesnors. For we may remember that, in the beginning of the preceding volume", wrongs were divided into two species: the one private, and the other public. Private wrongs, which are frequently termed civil injuries, were the subject of that entire book : we are now therefore, lastly, to proceed to the consideration of public wrongs, or crimes and misdemesnors; with the means of their prevention and punishment. In the pursuit of which subject I shall consider, in the first place, the general nature of crimes and punishments ; secondly, the persons capable of committing crimes; thirdly, their several degrees of guilt, as principals, or acces- [ 2 ] saries; fourthly, the several species of crimes, with the pu