Numbers 35:18

Or [if] he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he [is] a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.

Ver. 18. The murderer shall surely be put to death.] This is ius gentium. The Turks' justice in this case will rather cut off two innocent men, than let one offender escape. The Persians punish theft and manslaughter so severely, that in an age a man shall hardly hear either of the one or the other. a A severity fit for Italy, where they blaspheme oftener than swear, and murder more than revile or slander b (like the dogs of Congo, which, they say, c bite, but bark not): and no less fit for France, where within ten years six thousand gentlemen have been slain, as it appears by the king's pardons. d Byron, Lord high-Marshal of France, and Governor of Burgundy, slew a certain judge for putting to death a malefactor, whom he had commanded to be spared; for this he sued a pardon, and had it: but not long after he turned traitor to his prince that had pardoned him, and was justly executed. e

a Cartwr., Travels.

b Spec. Europ.

c Purchas.

d Les ombres des defunde sieurs de Villemor.

e Epitome Hist. Gall., p. 275.