Flagellation in France from a medical and historical standpoint.

Date:
1898
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Flagellation in France from a medical and historical standpoint. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Liancourt. In fact the evidence on the matter, proves that she underwent ill-treatment only, that her modesty was repeatedly offended, but does not establish the supreme licence. But this offence of the Marchioness deserves undoubtedly to be qualified as a Public crime for the following reasons: Firstly, because, according to the definition of this crime, it is an offence in which the public is principally interested. It may be affirmed that the safety of the King's highway is a matter concerning public interest; now, this crime was committed on a public highway. Secondly, this action cannot be considered as a private outrage, because it is a formal assault on the honour of a woman. The torture in the form of a punishment, to which she was subjected, delivers her up to scorn. The esteem in which her virtue may have been held, is not diminished: but it is supposed that she is covered with a sort of opprobrium thrust upon her by the humiliating insult she has received. It is a dishonour to which she has been subjected against her will, and which men allow to remain, taunting her without meaning it: they are unable to clear their minds of the prejudice, although plain reason condemns them. A woman thus outraged has a stain of shame upon her, which she cannot wash away. All the fair sex has a great interest in having a crime of the kind punished, so as to be safe themselves from such a dishonouring insult. Is it not a public crime in which the fairest half of the public is so deeply interested ? Moreover men also, to whom these insulted women are allied by ties of blood and of marriage, are interested in the punishment of the offence; since the dishonour of the woman so insulted falls back upon them.