Singular Customs Of New England

Dr. Palfrey, in hia History of New Eogland, makea it quite evideut that this part of the country waa not a pleasaüt place for cvil-doera to iive ia in the Puritanic times : The forger's doom was to stand in the pillory three eoveral lectura days, and render doublé damagae to the party wronged, nnd also bc disabled to gire any evidence or verdict to any conrt or magistrate. Tho burial placo of a suicide was in the coinmon highway, a cartload of atonea luid upon tho grave as a brand of infamy. The profane swearer, in whose offence waa not only iucluded irreverence toward God, but wicked cursing of any peraon, forfeited ten siiillings for a single oath ; ií he ewore more oaiha tban one at a time before he removed out of the company in which he was, he swore at the coat of twenty-shilliuga. Idlers, among whom were eapocially reckoned conimon coasters, unprotitable fowlora and tobáceo takers, exposed themselve3 to committal to the House of Correction. It was pumshablo by a fine of 6ve sb.ilYiDgA to dance, or use the game of shuflle board, or bowling or any other play in or about a house of entertainment ; or to play a game for money or money worth ; or to observe any such daya as Ghristtaas and the like; and tho bringing or keeping of cards or dice within the jurisdiction, subjected the offendcr to a fine oí fivo pounds. An attempt to draw away tha aifection of any maid, ünder pretenóo of njarriago, bofuro obtaining liberty and allowauce from hor parents or governors, or, in absence of such, of tho'nearest magistrale, was punished by a forfaiture of five pounda. For repetition of the atterapt the eulprit ■was fined ten pounds and compe'l'jd to enter into a recognizance for botter behavior. If still unreclairaod, he was, on conviotion by tho county uourt, committed to prison, to remaia there until 'the court of assistants should see causo to release him. No person whose wiie or husband continued to live abroad was allowed to have a home in Massachusett8. No man might strike hia wife, nor any womao hor husband, on penalty of such fine, not exceeding ten pounda for one offence, or sueh corporal puoishment as the eounty court should determine.