CAN a man murder his wife? The point seems doubtful, to judge by the
common experience of the Courts, and the general tone of public opinion,
when a charge for this questionable offence is under consideration or
comment. On the whole, it would seem to be desirable that we should
cease to use the term "Murder" of Wife-killing, and create a special
term for that offence--if offence it can be called. May we suggest
either "Wife-icide," or "Spousi-cide," or "Uxori-cide"? It would be the
correlative, in cases of feminine life-taking, of "justifiable homicide"
in the case of male.
It was very touching to observe the general expression of newspaper
sympathy with an individual lately convicted for having pushed a little
too far, perhaps, the natural feeling of exasperation and impatience
with a wife who may safely be assumed to have been a very aggravating
person. "Poor monomaniac," "unfortunate gentleman," and so forth, are
terms which testify to the natural tenderness of the public feeling
towards one who is subjected to such painful consequences for so venial
an act of temporary irritation.
We are glad to see that this touching and well-directed sympathy is
confined to this unfortunate victim of a rash impulse. As for the woman
who provoked him, we observe only a considerate silence, or the
expression of a feeling equivalent to the well-known Cornish
verdict--"Sarved her right."
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