FOUND IN COTTAGES 179 



1820 to 1831, when Acts were passed relating to the 

 enrolment of special constables and the issue of these staves. 



The heavy bludgeon, with a swinging, loaded head, was 

 probably a weapon for domestic protection. It is capable 



Leg Irons 



of sfivinof a terrible blow that would easily break a limb or 

 crash into skull or ribs. 



The rattle was to sound an alarm to attract the night- 

 watchman. It is swung round and round, the momentum 

 forcing the two Avooden tongues to pass over the toothed 



Small Iron Box, Four Inches Square 



wheels. The noise, to the person using it, is an ear-piercing, 

 screeching clatter. Later, it was used for scaring birds in 

 fields of newly-sown grain. 



The leg-irons were taken by what in former days answered 

 to our present police, when they had reason to think that a 

 prisoner was likely to be troublesome. 



I know nothing of the history or origin of the little iron 



