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HUNG IN CHAINS.

In the papers that we have examined we have not found any instances recorded of the old English law of hanging the remains of executed criminals in chains as having been carried into effect in our country.  But from some investigations of Mr. James E. Mauran, of Newport, R.I., we learn that on March 12, 1715, one Mecum of that town was executed for murder and his body was hung in chains on Miantonomy Hill, where the remains of an Indian were then hanging, who had been executed Sept. 12, 1712.  Mecum was a Scotchman, and lived at the head of Broad Street.  A negro was hanged in Newport in 1679, and his remains were exposed on the same hill.

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A BOOK ORDERED TO BE BURNED BY THE COUNCIL IN 1695.

The “Salem Observer” of Feb. 14, 1829, quotes from the Rev. Dr.
Bentley’s “Diary” as follows:—­

Tho’s Maule, shopkeeper of Salem, is brought before the Council to answer for his printing and publishing a pamphlet of 260 pages, entitled “Truth held forth and maintained,” owns the book but will not own all, till he sees his copy which is at New-York with Bradford, who printed it.  Saith he writt to ye Gov’r of N. York before he could get it printed.  Book is ordered to be burnt—­being stuff’d with notorious lyes and scandals, and he recognizes to answer it next Court of Assize and gen’l gaol delivery to be held for the County of Essex.  He acknowledges that what was written concerning the circumstance of Major Gen. Atherton’s death was a mistake (p. 112 and 113), was chiefly insisted on against him, which I believe was a surprize to him, he expecting to be examined in some point of religion, as should seem by his bringing his bible under his arm.

Thomas Maule was a Quaker who lived in Essex Street, Salem, on the spot now occupied by James B. Curwen, Esq., as a residence.

Imported books were ordered to be burned in Boston as early as 1653, by command of the General Court; but we believe this is the first instance of burning an American book.

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Punishment for wearing long hair in New England.  From an old Salem paper.

PURITANICAL ZEAL.  It is known that there was one of the statutes in our ancestors’ code which imposed a penalty for the wearing of long hair.  At the time Endicott was the magistrate of this town he caused the following order to be passed:—­

“John Gatshell is fyened ten shillings for building upon the town’s ground without leave; and in case he shall cutt of his loung hair of his head in to sevill frame (fewell flame?) in the meane time, shall have abated five shillings his fine, to be paid in to the Towne meeting within two months from this time, and have leave to go in his building in the meantime.”

Purchas says of long hair that—­