A SKETCH OF OLD NEWCASTLE. 99 



we hope that the scolds are of the past, as the bridle 

 itself is, at least so far as the town is concerned ; for 

 within the last few years the bridle has mysteriously dis- 

 appeared, and its whereabouts is unknown. It is whispered 

 that it is to be seen in the Museum at Liverpool ; but 

 I cannot affirm it. The following is Dr. Plot's amusing 

 description of this feature of the old borough : 



"They have a peculiar artifice at Newcastle and Walsall 

 for correcting of scolds, which it does too so effectually, 

 and so very safely, that I look upon it as much to be 

 preferred to the cucking-stool, which not only endangers 

 the health of the party, but also gives the tongue liberty 

 'twixt every dip, to neither of which is this at all liable, 

 it being such a bridle for the tongue as not only deprives 

 them of speech, but brings shame for the transgression, 

 and humility thereupon before it is taken off. The instru- 

 ment being put upon the offender by order of the magis- 

 trate, and fastened by a padlock behind, she is led round 

 the town by an officer to her shame, nor is it taken off 

 till after the party begins to shew all external signs im- 

 aginable of humiliation and amendment." 



Dr. Plot, who was a gossiping writer, makes mention 

 of the Gallows-field, situated in the Higherland, where 

 criminals were executed, for by an old charter Newcastle 

 had the right of putting to death certain criminals taken 

 in the act. He states, upon the authority of an alder- 

 man of the borough, that a stone was found there in 

 which the skull of a man with the teeth in it was 

 imbedded. At several times human bones have, I believe, 

 been dug up on the spot. He also speaks of a certain 

 butcher, Godfrey Witrings by name, whom he saw take 

 up by his teeth a form 6 feet 10 inches long, and 56lbs. 



