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STANGING.

[Illustration:  Stanging.]

Two correspondents have favoured us with the following illustrations of this curious custom:  one of them (W.H.H.) has appended to his communication a pen and ink sketch, from which the above engraving is copied:—­

(To the Editor of the Mirror.)

In Westmoreland this custom is thus commenced:—­When it is known that a man has “fallen out” with his wife, or beaten or ill-used her, the townspeople procure a long pole, and instantly repair to his house; and after creating as much riot and confusion before the house as possible, one of them is hoisted upon this pole, borne by the multitude.  He then makes a long speech opposite the said house, condemning, in strong terms, the offender’s conduct—­the crowd also showing their disapprobation.  After this he is borne to the market-place, where he again proclaims his displeasure as before; and removes to different parts of the town, until he thinks all the town are informed of the man’s behaviour; and after endeavouring to extort a fine from the party, which he sometimes does, all repair to a public-house, to regale themselves at his expense.  Unless the delinquent can ill afford it, they take his “goods and chattels,” if he will not surrender his money.  The origin of this usage I am ignorant of, and shall be greatly obliged by any kind correspondent of the MIRROR who will explain it.

W.H.H.

(To the Editor of the Mirror.)

At Biggar, in Lanarkshire, as well as in several other places in Scotland, a very singular ancient practice is at times, though but rarely, revived.  It is called riding the stang.  When any husband is known to treat his wife extremely ill by beating her, and when the offence is long and unreasonably continued, while the wife’s character is unexceptionable, the indignation of the neighbourhood, becoming gradually vehement, at last breaks out into action in the following manner:—­All the women enter into conspiracy to execute vengeance upon the culprit.  Having fixed upon the time when their design is to be put into effect, they suddenly assemble in a great crowd, and seize the offending party.  They take care, at the same time, to provide a stout beam of wood, upon which they set him astride, and, hoisting him aloft, tie his legs beneath.  He is thus carried in derision round the village, attended by the hootings, scoffs, and hisses of his numerous attendants, who pull down his legs, so as to render his seat in other respects abundantly uneasy.  The grown-up men, in the meanwhile, remain at a distance, and avoid interfering in the ceremony.  And it is well if the culprit, at the conclusion of the business, has not a ducking added to the rest of the punishment.  Of the origin of this custom we know nothing.  It is well known, however, over the country; and within these six years, it was with great ceremony performed upon a weaver in the Canongate of Edinburgh.