"Ruder than March
wind, she blew a hurricane;" and it was given in evidence that
after having scolded the family individually, the bipeds and
quadrupeds, the neighbours, hogs, poultry, and geese, she would
throw the window open at night to scold the watchmen. Her
countenance was an index to her temper,--sharp, peaked, sallow,
and small eyes. To be sentenced on Saturday week.--_Nat. Adv._
-------------------------
_Women Gossips_.--Among the many ordinances promulgated at St. Helena
in 1709, we find the following:--
Whereas several idle, gossiping women make it their business to
go from house [to house] about the island, inventing and
spreading false and scandalous reports of the good people
thereof, and thereby sow discord and debate among neighbors, and
often between men and their wives, to the great grief and trouble
of all good and quiet people, and to the utter extinguishing of
all friendship, amity, and good neighborhood: for the punishment
and suppression whereof, and to the intent that all strife may be
ended, charity revived, and friendship continued,--we do order
that, if any woman, from henceforward, shall be convicted of tale
bearing, mischief making, scolding, drunkenness, or any other
notorious vice, that they shall be punished by ducking, or
whipping, or such other punishment as their crimes or
transgressions shall deserve, or as the Governor and Council
shall think fit.
Pages:
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89