The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1895-01-17
THE DERBYSHIRE Drank.

behind. An iron Danu 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, whereby the victim was led through
the streets or tethered to post Or wall.
On the front of the bride are the initials,
CT. c." and the date, 1858, the year of
the great rebellion.
One of the most celebrated branks is
that preserved at Walton on Thames,
which is dated 1858 and is inscribed with
the characteristic couplet:
Chester presents Walton with bride
To curb women S 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 southwark. A Drank of a
common type came to light in 1S4S 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 it chain about foot in
length is attached.
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 wom-
an named Ann Bidlestone led through the
streets by an officer of the corporation,
wearing Drank upon her head, the tongue
piece So forced into her mouth as to cause
it to bleed. He adds, ''This is the punish
ment which the magistrates do inflict
upon Gliding and scolding women" John
Willis also affirms that he has seen drunk
ards punished by being driven through the
streets of the same town inclosed in a
beer barrel This uncomfortable vestment
was known as the ''new fashioned cloak I"
Among the many curious objects brought
together by that eminent antiquary, Elias
Ashmole, and preserved at Oxford is 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 he'll
met When in use, the head was inserted
in the helmet portion, and by an arrange
ment of cogs and the perforated rods at
the back the mask in front was raised SO
as to completely obscure the upper part of
the face. The victim could then be buffet
ed without knowing who her tormenters
! were.
The last time the scold's bride 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 then," and it
| would create no small sensation If at the
present time we were to meet fin de steele
lady, led through the streets by burly po-
liceman, wearing one of these uncouth i'm
plements, because, forsooth, she had VEN
| tured to raise her voice in defense of her
rights or had spoken too plainly to an
overbearing and tyrannical husband.