DURING THE 18TH CENTURY, THE HEYDAY OF PUBLIC HANGINGS IN ENGLAND, HENRY FIELD WROTE STRONGLY AGAINST THE PRACTICE BECAUSE HE FELT IT HAD LITTLE DETERRENT VALUE. HE OFFERED SUGGESTIONS FOR REFORM TO END THE CIRCUS-LIKE ATMOSPHERE WHICH HE FELT WAS INHUMAN AND DEBASING. SAMUEL JOHNSON SEEMED TO SUPPORT PUBLIC HANGING, BUT WORKED CEASELESSLY TO TRY TO SAVE A CLERGYMAN CONVICTED TO HANG FOR FORGERY. THE AMERICAN WRITER FRANCES TROLLOPE AND THE ENGLISH WRITERS SIR SAMUEL ROMILLY, WILLIAM THACKERAY, AND CHARLES DICKENS ALL WROTE AGAINST PUBLIC EXECUTION. DICKENS CONDUCTED A CONTINUING LETTERS-TO-THE-EDITOR CAMPAIGN CITING STATISTICS SHOWING THAT COUNTRIES WITHOUT PUBLIC EXECUTIONS DID NOT HAVE HIGHER CRIME RATES. ARTHUR KOESTLER'S 'REFLECTIONS ON HANGING' AND ALBERT CAMUS'S 'REFLECTIONS ON THE GUILLOTINE' ARE THE 20TH CENTURY WORKS REVIEWED. BOTH ARE PASSIONATELY AGAINST CAPITAL PUNISHMENT FOR HUMANITARIAN REASONS. (GLR)