The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1895-01-12

behind. An iron band passes over the
head from back to front, where there Is an
opening to admit the nose Of the individ-
ual whose misfortune it was to wear It,
On the left side Of the hoop chain Is at
tached w hereby the victim was led through
the streets or tethered to a post or wall
On the front OF the bride are the initials,
| IT. c." and the date, 1888, the year Of
the great rebellion.
One Of the most celebrated branks Is
that preserved at Walton on Thames
which Is dated 1888 and Is inscribed with
the characteristic couplst
Chester presents Walton with a bride
To curb women ; tongues that talk too idle.
As several very early examples Of scolds'
brides exist in Scotland the opinion OBJ
tains that, like the maiden or guillotine
this article Of punishment may have been
Of Scotch origin and then have gradually
made its way southw ward. A Drank Of a
common type came to light in is4s from
behind the oak paneling In the ancient
house Of the earls Of Moray, In Edin.
burgh. One that may be- seen at Leicester
Is somewhat simple in construction, and
TO the back Of 1t a chain about foot In
length Is attached.
A very curious specimen IL preserved at
Newcastle, to which reference has been fire.
quently made, and one OF the most curious
illusions TO it occurs in GARDENERS Eng
lands Grievance Discovered In Relation
to the Coal Trade, printed in 1865, where,
on page ITO, it states that John Willis Of
Ipswich, when in Newcastle, saw a worn-
an named Ann Bidlestone led through the
streets by an officer Of the corporation
wearing a Drank upon her head, the tongue
niece sti fOrppI nj RI hpr b.
1t to bleed. He adds, This Is the punish.
ment which the magistrates do inflict
upon Gliding and scoldin9 women" John
Willis also gtfirms that he has seen drunk
ards punished by being driven through the
streets Of the same town inclosed In
beer barrel. This uncomfortable vestment
was known as the new fashioned cloak "
Among the many curious bjects brought
together by that eminent antiquary, Elias
Ashmole, and preserved at Oxford IL a
Drank OF the less cruel type, In which the
tongue plate has been rounded at the end
to prevent the tongue from being injured.
In this specimen the leading chain Is fas-
tened to the front Of the instrument i'm
mediately over the nose aperture.
An Instrument which may also be
grouped with the branks Is to be found at
Worcester and In form resembles a he'll
met. When in use, the head was inserted
In the helmet portion, and by IN arrange
ment OF cogs and the perforated rods at
the back the mask in front was raised 80
~ to completely obscure the upper part Of
the face. The victim could then be buffet
cd without knowing who her tormenters
were.
The last time the scold's Birdie was
publicly used in England was at Congle-
ton, In Cheshire, In 1924; but, In the
words Of an eminent statesman, many
things have happened since them" and It
would create no small sensation IL at the
present time we were to meet fin de steele
lady, led through the streets by bury po-
liceInan, wearing one Of these uncouth I'm
plements, because, forsooth, she had ven
tnred to raise her voice In defense Of her
rights or had spoken too plainly to an
overlooking and tyrannicaI husband.