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was rapidly being destroyed, in the same way and with the same 
good effect.). In a book, ‘“ Bygone Punishments,” written by 
Mr. William Andrews, will be found some interesting matter 
under the heading Ducking Stool. He says “Itis clear, from 
a careful study of the history of medieval times, that virtue and 
amiability amongst the middle and lower classes, generally 
speaking, did not prevail. The free use of the tongue gave rise 
to riots and feuds to an extent which it is difficult for us to 
realise at the present day. A strong feeling against scolding 
women came down to a late period.” He has given me permis- 
‘sion to quote from his book and has lent me the three blocks here 
given. One taken from an old Chap-Book, shows a portable 
apparatus, one at Ipswich where the culprit is being dragged to 
be placed in the stool, and one of a Tumbrel at Wootton Bassett, 
this was illustrated in the ‘‘ Wiltshire Archeological Magazine.” 
“The Times Century Dictionary ” gives the following explana- 
tion :— 
Cucking Stool. In the earliest mention called cathedra 
stercoris. Formerly a chair in which an offender as a common 
brawler or scold, or a woman of disorderly life, or a defaulting 
brewer or baker was placed, to be hooted at or pelted by the 
mob. The cucking stool has been frequently confounded with 
the ducking stool, but the former did not of itself admit of the 
ducking of its occupant, although in conjunction with the tumbrel 
_ it was sometimes used for that purpose. 
Tumbrel. A chair fixed on a pair of wheels, and having very 
long shafts, used to punish scolds. On its being wheeled into a 
pond backwards and suddenly tilted up, the woman was plunged 
into the water. 
Ducking Stool. A stool or chair in which common scolds 
‘were formerly tied and plunged into the water. It was ex- 
tensively in use in Great Britain from the 15th to the beginning 
f the 18th century, and in one case at least—at Leominster—as 
recently as 1809. 
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