In taking the culprit before the tribunal he is preceded by a man who strikes upon a gong, that he may aggravate the shame of the offender, by drawing upon him the notice of the publick. Two others follow after him on foot, one of whom is employed in keeping up the culprit's face by means of a bundle of cleft canes. His hands are tied behind his back, and to render him more conspicuous a little red banner is fastened upon each side of his head.
He is thrown flat upon his face, and held in that position by one, or more, if necessary of the magistrate's attendants kneeling upon his back, whilst another applies the pan-stee to his posteriors. The pan-stee is a thick piece of split bamboo cane, the lower end of which is about four inches in width, and the upper end small and smooth, to render the instrument more convenient for the hand.
He is held securely by two men in the service of a tribunal who are instructed to give pain, by particular method of turning the cartilages of the ear.
This man is suspended by his shoulders and ancles, in a very painful situation: at intervals, two attending officers afford some trifling alleviation of his sufferings, by supporting him with a bamboo passed under his breast. Pencil, ink and paper, are ready to note down whatever he may say. This punishment, together with the preceding one, is chiefly inflicted upon such merchants as have been detected in committing frauds, impositions, or any other unwarrantable tricks of trade.
A species of correction appointed for boatmen, or, as they are termed in England, watermen. Having been convicted of some misbehaviour, he is compelled to kneel: one of the officers of justice prevents him from flinching, whilst another grasps his hair, and bestows a certain number of blows upon each side of his face, with a sort of double battledore, made of thick leather.
Category: Crime, Law, Public Humiliation, Asia