BLOOD-REVENGE AND COMPENSATION-THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH
The prevalence of the custom of blood-revenge, pp. 477-479.-Blood-revenge
regarded not only as a right, but as a duty, p. 479 sq.-This duty in the first
place regarded as a duty to the dead, whose spirit is believed to find no rest
after death until the injury has been avenged, p. 481 sq.-Blood-revenge a
form of human sacrifice, p. 482.-Blood-revenge also practised on account of
the injury inflicted on the survivors, p. 482 sq.-Murder committed within
the family or kin left unavenged, p. 483.—The injury inflicted on the relatives
of the murdered man suggests not only revenge, but reparation, ibid.-The
taking of life for life may itself, in a way, serve as compensation, p. 483 sq.-
Various methods of compensation, p. 484.-The advantages of the practice
of composition, p. 484 sq.-Its disadvantages, p. 485.-The importance of
these disadvantages depends on the circumstances in each special case,
p. 486 sq.-Among many peoples the rule of revenge strictly followed, and to
accept compensation considered disgraceful, p. 487.-The acceptance of com-
pensation does not always mean that the family of the slain altogether re-
nounce their right of revenge, p. 487 sq.-The acceptance of compensation
allowed as a justifiable alternative for blood-revenge, or even regarded as the
proper method of settling the case, p. 488 sq.-The system of compensation
partly due to the pressure of some intervening authority, p. 489 sq.-The
adoption of this method for the settling of disputes a sign of weakness, p. 491.
-When the central power of jurisdiction is firmly established, the rule of
life for life regains its sway, ibid.-A person may forfeit his right to live by
other crimes besides homicide, p. 491 sq.--Opposition to and arguments
against capital punishment, pp. 492-495.- Modern legislation has undergone
a radical change with reference to capital punishment, p. 495.-Arguments
against its abolition, p. 495 sq.-The chief motive for retaining it in modern
legislation, p. 496,