458 Proceedings of the Royal Irish Academy. 
different sizes, so as to suit all parties: one pair being four inches in 
diameter, another pair measures three and a-half inches, and there is 
a minor opening of two and a-half inches designed for juvenile 
offenders. 
I am indebted to the kindness of the late Rector of St. Bride’s, Rev. 
W. G. Carroll, a.m., for the following interesting excerpta, taken 
from the registry books of his parish, and relating to the history of 
their parish stocks, from the years 1664 to 1750. It is the last com- 
munication I received from him shortly before his death, and whilst 
acknowledging my obligations I must also express my regret at his 
loss. He took a deep interest in the early history of this city, and was 
unusually well-informed about it. We are indebted to his exertions for 
the preservation of several important records of former times :— 
Lassa: 
1664. Mending the stocks, . ; . ¢ 0 5 O 
1665. Do. do. s : 0:105,0 
Moving the stocks from Mill Pond, 
(Little Ship-street), 0 5 0 
1669. Mending the stocks, . 0). 13716 
1675. Mending the ironwork of the stocks, and 
a new locke and key, . 0 Zeus 
1679. For stocks, and lock for them, . 2 
1683. Removing the stocks two severaltymes, 0 1 6 
1700. Collaring the stocks, 0 3 O 
1735. Repairing the stocks, . Is 16°40 
1750. For a new pair of stocks, 30 O00 
See also St. Bride’s Vestry Acts, 1678. 
““The pavement before the Poore House door, where the stocks are, 
to be repaired.” 
This ‘‘ Poore House ’’ was the then Widows’ Alms House, which 
stood at one of the corners of Bride-street and Bull-alley. 
The stocks previously stood at the Mill Pond in Little Ship- 
street, and were moved to Bride-street in 1665. 
The second volume of the Avlkenny Archeological Journal contains 
an interesting article upon Kilkenny, illustrated by a lithograph 
reproduction of an old painting, which represents the Market Cross, 
and surrounding old houses. It was published by Mr. James G. 
Robertson, and shows us a distinct view of the stocks placed in public 
view upon the raised floor of the cross. Now, as the latter was pulled 
down about the year 1771, we may conclude that the stocks probably 
disappeared near the same time; for, after this, there does not seem to 
be any further record of them in Kilkenny. This date would corre- 
spond with the period they seem to have fallen into disuse over 
Ireland generally. 
According to the ancient law of England, the Lord of the Manor 
