that both parties "shall be set upon the Gallows by the space of an Hour, with a Rope about their Neck; and the other End cast over the Gallows; and in the Way from thence to the Common Goal, shall be severely whipped, not exceeding forty Stripes each. Also every Person and Persons so offending shall forever after wear a Capital A, of two Inches long and proportionate Bigness, cut out in Cloth of a contrary Colour to their Cloaths, and sewed upon their upper Garments, or on their Back in open View." If afterwards found without his or her letter, the culprit was to be publicly whipped not exceeding fifteen stripes.
The House of Correction, fetters or shackles, and moderate whipping not exceeding ten stripes at once, and in case of failure to work, while sojourning at the House of Correction, a judicious reduction of food, were the lot of Rogues, Vagabonds, Beggars, Persons using any Subtle Craft, Juggling, or unlawful Games or Plays; Persons feigning themselves to have Knowledge in Physiognomy and Palmistry; Fortune Tellers, Common Pipers, Fiddlers, and numerous others of the vicious and vagrant classes, and "such as neglect their Callings, spend what they earn, and do not provide for themselves or the Support of their Families."
Indian, Negro, and "Molatto" slaves must not be abroad in the night-time after "nine a Clock," unless upon some errand for their respective masters or owners, under penalty, unless they could give a good account of themselves, of being sent to the House of Correction "to receive the Discipline of the House."
In Chapter I., Acts of 1711, it is provided that composers or publishers of profane songs or mock sermons may be punished by a fine of twenty pounds, or by standing on the pillory once or oftener, with an inscription of their crime, in capital letters, affixed over their heads.
Chapter V., Acts of 1713, after a preamble setting out "Whereas the Limbs and Lives of several Persons, have been greatly endangered in riding over Boston Neck by their Horses throwing of them, being affrighted and starting, at the Firing of Guns by Gunners that frequent there after Game," enacts a penalty of twenty shillings for every such firing on Boston Neck within ten rods of the highway.
Serving on juries seems to have been no more popular in 1716 than at the present day; for Chapter V. of that year, after a preamble setting forth that the former penalty of forty shillings for default as a juror had not been sufficient to induce many of the most able and best qualified persons to perform their duties, prescribes a fine of not less than four pounds, nor exceeding six pounds, for such neglect.
The killing of wolves was encouraged in 1693 by a reward of twenty shillings for every grown wolf, and five shillings for every wolf's whelp. This was subsequently raised in 1715 to forty shillings for every grown wolf.
In 1693 the militia must have been an awe-inspiring body. Every foot-soldier was to be armed with "a well fix'd Firelock, Musket', of Musket or Bastard Musket bore, the Barrel not less than three Foot and a half long: a Snapsack, a Collar with twelve Bandaliers, or Cartouch-Box; one Pound of good Powder, twenty Bullets fit for his Gun; and twelve Flints; a good Sword or Cutlash; a Worm and Priming Wire, fit for his Gun." By a subsequent Act, Chapter IV., Acts 1711, "a good Goosenecked Bayonet with Socket," was substituted for the Sword or "cutlash." Commissioned officers were given authority to correct disorders, contempt on watch and some other military offences, by punishments not greater than "laying Neck and Heels, riding the Wooden Horse, or ten Shillings' Fine." Fancy our gallant Cadets or the dignified Ancients and Honorables undergoing the above discipline.
Chapter XVII., Acts 1701, fixes the fee for an attorney at law in the Superior Court of Judicature at twelve shillings; and in the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, ten
