
291 
here, if anywhere, a cage would be required. The Act was 
repealed in 1714, and shortly after the idea was mooted to build 
a hospital to take in proper cases from all parts of England. 
Hence our Royal Mineral Water Hospital. 
The following agreement—also kindly sent me by Mr. Watts— 
shows that the Cage named was done away with, or it may be 
removed elsewhere in or before 1647. At all events there 
still remained the pillory, stocks, rack, brand, &c. 
Council 28 June 1647 
Agreed that 
- John Beacon shall have the place vnder the Northgate called the 
Cage for one whole yere at fower shillings rent the yere to 
begin at Midsomer Day last and soe to Contineu from yere to 
yere during the pleasure of the Corporacon. 
In the Bristol Times and Mirror of the 11th April, 1901, 
is a reprint from Bonner and Middleton’s Journal of 1801, 
recording that a woman was indicted by the Court as a 
common scold at Kingston-on-Thames, and ordered to be 
ducked. This was carried out. On her return from the 
water’s side she fell upon one of her acquaintance without 
provocation, with tongue, tooth and nail, and would, had not 
the officers interposed, have deserved a second punishment, 
even before she was dry from the first. ‘The revival of the 
ancient punishment of the Ducking Stool, which in the above 
case was carried into full execution, has caused great alarm among 
certain females in the fashionable world. They are determined 
not to open their mouths in public, and it is probable the opera 
will be so quiet, that no one will be heard but the performers.” 
A reprint from the London Times of 1801 is added. ‘The 
woman noted for her vociferation, who was ducked last week at 
Kingston, is said not to have a box at the opera.” This appears 
to be one of the last records of a ducking. It will be seen that 
my task has consisted of putting other people’s notes together, 
with I trust a fairly satisfactory result. : 
