What Is Insanity?

The Intor Oeean, Nov. 2tfth, suys: "Several years ago. wben an insane man tired at 'neen Victoria, the British House of Lord, sitiine as a court, deflned the jrroiakli of Msnnity In relatlon to the crime of morder u Mlvws: 'We re of the opinión that nntwithstanding the party did the act complained of with view, uoder Ihe iattuence ol insane .lilusion, of redressing or revenging ome supposed grievance or injury, or of prodncing Kmc public benefit, he is neverthelesl punshable according to the nature of the crime committed, if lie knew ut the time he was committing such crime that he was acting contrary to law.' "Tilia han a direct bearin uon tlie (uiteHii i-.i-i'. :in do alsothe principie. laid down ly tliu ÏOUrt of tln-SUitf of New Vork, m Wlowi: The law does not recognize a form of insanity in which the . aparity of distinguUhing right from wrong exists, without the power of chooaing between them. 'That species of frenrj which is induced by violent passion, unlesa settled down into a Mate of total de rangement, will not excuse thecommission of a crime. To acquit on the ground of insanity, it is not enough that there be a doubt as to the pnsoners sanity; his insanity must be aflirmatively established. 'To establish the defense of insanltv, it must be shown that the prisoner, at the lime of committing the crime, was so far deprived of reason as to destroy the consciousness of the distinction between right and wrong, in reference to the act charged.' "Tlierc is very little doubt ttiüt Mr. Scovillc, in oase Oniteau is convii tcd. should earrrnpthe cm to ¦ btetet eoort, and, p( rlinps. it Important that lie should do so, in order that the highest judicial autlioiity In the land my lix the degree of responglblllty, and draw the line at which sanity enda and Uwaiiity beslui itii reped to the taking of human life."