arson

The wilful burning of the house or outhouse of another. The burning and consuming of any part is sufficient to constitute arson, but a mere attempt to burn by setting fire to a house, unless it absolutely burns, is not sufficient

Arson, at common law, is the act of unlawfully and maliciously burning the house of another man. 4 Steph. Comm. 99; 2 Russ. Crimes, 896; Steph. Crim. Dig. 298. Arson, by the common law, is the willful and malicious burning of the house of another. The word “house,” as here understood, includes not merely the dwelling-house, but all outhouses which are parcel thereof. 20 Conn. 244. Arson is the malicious and willful burning of the house or outhouse of another. Code Ga. 1882, § 4375. Arson is the willful and malicious burning of a building with intent to destroy it. Pen. Cade Cal. § 447,

The wilful burning of another's house. Art and part A term used in Scotch law of to a crime, or aiding and abetting in it.

[from L. Fr. arsion, arsoun, arson, L. Lat. arsio, from ardere, to bum: Sax. bemet: L. Lat. incendium or combustio do Tnorum.] In crimmal law. The malicious and wilful buming the house or outhouse of another man. 4 BL Com. 220. 4 Steph. Com. 141. The buming and consuming of any part is sufilcient to constitute arson, but a mere attempt to bum by setting fire to a house, unless it absolutely bums, is not sufficient. Hawk, P.C.h. 1, c. 39. 4 BL Com. 222. 4 SUph. Com. 148. See 2 Eussell on Crimes, 548 — 568, and notes. The English law of arson has been considerably modified in the United States; the definition of the crime being in some of the states materially enlarged, while in others, various degrees of arson have been established, with corresponding punishments. See Wharton's Am. Grim, Law, 369, 374, €t seq,

criminal law, is at common law an offence of the degree of felony; and is defined by Lord Coke to be the malicious and voluntary burning the house of another, by night or day; 3 Inst. 66. In order to make this crime complete there must be, 1st, a burning of the house, or some part of it; it is sufficient if any part be consumed, however small it may be. 2nd. The house burned must belong to another; but if a man set fire to his own house with a view to burn his neighbour's, and does so, it is at least a great misdemeanor, if not a felony, 1 Hale P. C. 568; 2 East P. C. 1027; 2 Russ. 487. 3d. The burning must have been both malicious and wilful. The offence of arson at common law does not extend further than the burning of the house of another. By statute this crime is greatly enlarged in some of the states, as in Pennsylvania, where it is extended to the burning of any barn, or outhouse having hay or grain therein; any barrack, rick or stack of hay, grain or bark; any public buildings, church or meeting-house, college, school or library. Act 23 April, 1829; 2 Russell on Crimes, 486; 1 Carr. & P. 1015; 16 John. R. 203; 16 Mass. 105; as to the extension of the offence by the laws of the United States, see stat. 1825, c. 276, 3 Story's L. U. S. 1999.