Suggestions for the Repression of Crime, Contained in Charges.

London: J.W. Parker and Son, 1857. A Presentation Copy from the Author Hill, Matthew Davenport [1792-1872]. Suggestions for the Repression of Crime, Contained in Charges Delivered to Grand Juries of Birmingham; Supported by Additional Facts and Arguments. Together with Articles from Reviews and Newspapers Controverting or Advocating the Conclusions of the Author. London: John W. Parker and Son, 1857. xii, 707 pp. Octavo (8-3/4" x 5-1/2"; 22 x 13.5 cm). Publisher's blind-embossed textured cloth, rebacked retaining portions of existing backstrip with gilt fillets and title, endpapers renewed. Light rubbing to boards, which are slightly bowed, moderate rubbing to extremities, white ink shelfmark to spine, corners bumped and worn. Moderate toning to interior, small ink library stamps to title page and p. 707. Author's presentation inscription "The Bailiff of Guernsey/ From the Author" to dedication page. A very good copy. $250. * Only edition. Hill was an educator, barrister and dedicated legal reformer from the Midlands. Appointed recorder of Birmingham in May 1839, he dedicated much of the rest of his life to reforming Birmingham's courts. He laid out many of his proposals in the grand jury charges he gave as recorder; Suggestions for the Repression of Crime collects these charges, which, "more than anything else, established Hill's reputation as a 'criminologist' and penal reformer" (ODNB). Hill's penal theories, mostly drawn from the work of others, combined severity and leniency. He "sought to assist those who genuinely wished to reform, but to punish ruthlessly recidivists, those who broke faith with the trust placed in them, and those who showed no inclination to reform" (ODNB). Our copy was presented to Peter Stafford Carey, who served as Bailiff of Guernsey from 1845-1883. In his capacity as Bailiff, he carried out a number of civic, political and legal duties and would have found Hill's proposals highly relevant to his work. Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (accessed online).…