A knowledge of the existence of such laws as the above is in some measure a preparation for the following relation given by Mr. Peirce in his History of Harvard University.

“At the period when Harvard College was founded,” says that gentleman, “one of the modes of punishment in the great schools of England and other parts of Europe was corporal chastisement.  It was accordingly introduced here, and was, no doubt, frequently put in practice.  An instance of its infliction, as part of the sentence upon an offender, is presented in Judge Sewall’s MS. Diary, with the particulars of a ceremonial, which was reserved probably for special occasions.  His account will afford some idea of the manners and spirit of the age:—­

“’June 15, 1674, Thomas Sargeant was examined by the Corporation finally.  The advice of Mr. Danforth, Mr. Stoughton, Mr. Thacher, Mr. Mather (the present), was taken.  This was his sentence: 

“’That being convicted of speaking blasphemous words concerning the H.G., he should be therefore publickly whipped before all the scholars.

“’2.  That he should be suspended as to taking his degree of Bachelor. (This sentence read before him twice at the President’s before the Committee and in the Library, before execution.)

“’3.  Sit alone by himself in the Hall uncovered at meals, during the pleasure of the President and Fellows, and be in all things obedient, doing what exercise was appointed him by the President, or else be finally expelled the College.  The first was presently put in execution in the Library (Mr. Danforth, Jr. being present) before the scholars.  He kneeled down, and the instrument, Goodman Hely, attended the President’s word as to the performance of his part in the work.  Prayer was had before and after by the President, July 1, 1674.’”

“Men’s ideas,” continues Mr. Peirce, “must have been very different from those of the present day, to have tolerated a law authorizing so degrading a treatment of the members of such a society.  It may easily be imagined what complaints and uneasiness its execution must frequently have occasioned among the friends and connections of those who were the subjects of it.  In one instance, it even occasioned the prosecution of a Tutor; but this was as late as 1733, when old rudeness had lost much of the people’s reverence.  The law, however, was suffered, with some modification, to continue more than a century.  In the revised body of Laws made in the year 1734, we find this article:  ’Notwithstanding the preceding pecuniary mulcts, it shall be lawful for the President, Tutors, and Professors, to punish Undergraduates by Boxing, when they shall judge the nature or circumstances of the offence call for it.’  This relic of barbarism, however, was growing more and more repugnant to the general taste and sentiment.  The late venerable Dr. Holyoke, who was of the class of 1746, observed, that in his day ’corporal punishment was going out of use’; and at length it was expunged from the code, never, we trust, to be recalled from the rubbish of past absurdities.”—­pp. 227, 228.