View report page

5
by the time the enquiry commences, some members of
the jury may be none the clearer as to intellect for the
process.
Now, were this view of the body—this relic of
barbarism—dispensed with, the attendant abuses above
referred to would be avoided. The inquest could be
held in a suitable court-room provided in each parish,
the ends of justice would be materially expedited, and
the Coroner's court would gain in dignity by the
change. Take, for instance, the case of a woman who
has neglected her child, and thereby contributed in
any way to its death: the evidence may not be
sufficiently strong for the jury to bring in a verdict of
manslaughter, still they feel that the case should not be
passed over in silence, and accordingly they append a
vote of censure to their verdict, and the mother is
recalled to receive the solemn words of censure and
warning from the lips of the Coroner. Now, the impression
made would probably be much greater, and
more lasting, if the surroundings of the court were such
as to harmonize with its dignity, instead of being those
of a public-house parlour reeking with the fumes of
tobacco-smoke and beer.
In this parish inquests could be held in the Vestryhall,
a large, handsome room, eminently suitable for the
purpose, and as the Coroner is empowered to order a
sum of money to be paid for the use of a proper room,
such payment would amply cover the expenses of
cleaning and rearranging the hall after the closing of
the court.