formerly prattifed in Scotland. 339 
they would be rendered totally unfit for fuch 
purpofes. ' 
And, in like manner, the attempt to ornament 
inftruments of torture or punifhment, would 
have been equally improper, if not highly ridi- 
culous. ‘The iron hooks, alfo, that in fuch circum- 
cumftances, without doubt, muft have been ftruck 
into the flelh, for fupporting the miferable vidim, 
(as is ftill done in Ruffia) would have been 
fharpened; but thefe are broad at the points, 
and end in large knobs, fo as to fit them only 
for fupporting and retaining the hoops, &c. over 
a fire. And the number of hoops, of various 
fizes, and of fuch particular conftruétion, along 
with the tongs, &c. clearly indicate their be- 
Ing intended for fome procefs, where a heavy 
body was to be fnfpended over a ftrong fire. It 
may not be improper to remark, that the moft 
ufeful watch-chain that has been invented, is of 
the fame conftruction with thofe of the combu- 
rator; and J know.of no other chain made in 
that manner, 
III, With regard to the propriety and neceffity 
ef ufing an iron apparatus, permit me to obferve, 
that notwithftanding all the a¢counts tranfmitted tq 
us by the ancients, of confuming the dead by fire, 
defcribe the corpfe as being laid on a high and 
extenfive rogus, or pile; yet all thefe were honours 
paid to great men, for whom perhaps a whole 
gountry might be {tripped of its wood, 
Uue But 
