Le

pour les crimes contre les propriétés. nombre des individus acquittés a été de moitie dans les accusations de la première classe, et de 31 sur 100 seulement dans les autres." The rapidity and certainty with which minor of fences are punished, is an admirable feature in the French code. The maxim is, "la justice correctionelle doit être prompte pour que la poursuite et le châtiment soient efficaces;" which, if I recollect right, was the principle Sir Samuel Romilly was anxious to enforce, in his projected melioration of our own code. Common sense presents few truths more palpable than that if we could ensure the certain and prompt infliction of minor punishments, it must go farther to repress petty delinquencies, than if a punishment, however disproportioned to the extent of the offence, were only held out as a bugbear in terrorem, seldom or never to be put in force.

Of 2,069 persons prosecuted for criminal offences, contre les personnes, in Paris, in the year 1825, 1,023 were acquitted, and 134 suffered death; while out of 7,234 arraigned. of

crimes contre les propriétés, only 2,640 were acquitted, and 176 suffered.

16th. At the Académie Royale de Médecine. This establishment was founded only of late years, and is supreme over the whole medical concerns of the country in their most extensive sense, having power to check all kinds of abuses in the different departments of the profession; and by wise provisions, to further in every possible way the interests of medical science: it is the chief authority to which Government look officially for information in reference to the state of the public health; the decision of points of jurisprudence, the progress of vaccination, the ingredients and efficacy of new and secret remedies, mineral and factitious waters, &c. &c. The Académie is composed of some of the most learned and distinguished men in the three branches of the profession, who hold their meetings periodically. At certain of these meetings memoirs are read, as at the Royal Institute, the merits of new works of any importance are reported upon, and every thing in the shape of discovery investi

gated. It keeps up an uninterrupted and regular correspondence with professional men over every part of France, so that nothing of moment in the department of discovery, or other useful information, can possibly occur, without the Government being able to avail itself of it at the shortest notice. Here, as in every other institution of this country having for its object to encourage genius and industry, prizes are awarded (some of them of considerable amount), and the names of the successful candidates regularly published in an official register, under the sanction of Government.

The regulations proposed for the interior economy of the Academy, are submitted from time to time for the approbation of the Secretary of State for Home Affairs, who is charged by the King with the execution of his Majesty's commands respecting them.

Beside frequent private meetings, the Academy has its public days, when a formal report is made of the progress of medical science, an éloge pronounced on any distinguished member deceased, prizes for essays proposed, subjects

for memoirs fixed upon, and the names of authors who have gained prizes formally announced. The private meetings are open, under certain regulations, to strangers, as well as to the members of the institution: at these, questions are discussed, and memoirs are read, and if deemed worthy, receive the same rewards as those of native competitors. No person of empirical habits is suffered, on any pretext whatever, to take a share in the affairs of the Academy, whether in person, or by written communication.

The Library is stored with the works of all nations, ancient and modern, of any repute on medical subjects, in print or in MS., engravings, plates, &c.; and the Museum with anatomical preparations, apparatus, instruments, models, specimens of natural history, chemical apparatus, and, in short, every thing that can be instrumental to the advancement of the art: to all which the freest access is allowed, as well to foreigners as Frenchmen.

A question is propounded every year on each of the four following branches - medicine,

surgery, pharmacy, and subjects of common interest. But the details of this admirable institution are too numerous to dilate upon as they deserve. It has served to suggest some thoughts in reference to our medical régime in England, which I must defer to a separate consideration.

Notwithstanding that the revolution upset every thing else to the foundation, gallantry, or that habit of exterior homage to women for which this people have ever been so remarkable, still continues to be one of the most characteristic traits of Frenchmen of every condition. A peasant will not address a lass of the village without taking off his hat, and from his youth he is taught to look upon the sex as entitled to his protection. Why a nation só much behind the rest of Europe in the more essential particulars of this chivalrous observance, should always continue to be distinguished for such a peculiarity, seems not easy to understand.

A Frenchman, accounting to me for the connivance of his countrymen at female infidelity,