The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction - Volume 14, No. 397, November 7, 1829 by Various
page 37 of 55 (67%)
page 37 of 55 (67%)
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Even in Iceland, there is a provision for the poor.--Vide Han's "Iceland." Also in Denmark.--Vide p. 292, Jacob's "Tracts on the Corn Laws." In America there are poor laws.--Vide Dr. Dwight's "Travels," vol. iv. p. 326. In Scotland the English system is rapidly extending; and where the poor laws are not introduced, there are a great many of the miseries which are found in Ireland.--Vide "Evidence of A. Nimmo, Esq. before the Lords' Committee on Ireland, 1824." This gentleman thinks, that if they had been earlier introduced, Scotland would be now a richer country. He also states, that the average expense of supporting idle mendicants in Ireland, exceeds one million and a half annually, by the contribution of more than a ton of potatoes from each farm house, to encourage a system of licentious idleness, profligacy, insolence, and plunder; and the grand jury presentments amount annually to a million.--_Monthly Mag_. * * * * * In Turkey, nailing by the ears is an operation performed on bakers, for selling light bread. There is a hole cut in the door for the back of the culprit's head; the ears are then nailed to the panel; he is left in this position till sunset, then released; and seldom sustains any permanent injury from the punishment, except in his reputation. Perjury is an offence which is so little thought of, that it is visited with the mildest of all their punishments. The offender is set upon an ass, with his face to the tail, and a label on his back, with the term _scheat_ or perjurer. In this way he is led about to the great amusement of the multitude, and even of his associates. |
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