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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 289, 6 December 1877, Page 4

A Classical Seal. — Dnring the meeting of the Borough Couucil of Sydenham (Provincial District of Canterbury) recently, Councillor Hall laid upon the table an envelope about a foot square, addressed to tbe Mayor and Councillors of the Sydenham Borough Council. On being opened it was found to contain a very bold design for a seal iv the shape of a shield. In one quartering: was a small pot with the words "soft soap," and on the opposite quarter was the representation of a good sterling boot. In the lower quarters were a snail, and the figure of *' No. 1 " respectively, bearing also the inscriptions " festina lente? and " gutsque pro se." Under the upper quartering were the quotations " suaviter in modo" probably in reference to th« " soft soap " pot) aud " for liter in re " under the boot. The whole was surmounted by a panlaloou's head with a graceful pigtail, under which was the following inscription— ( * Slultiiia scape sapientia est." 0 1 one side ol the seal was the iigure ot a very portly yentlemau on a part of whose body was imprtuted the word " Cor jioratioo," while on the side of the shield was a wellcrowned horee, that might however have been (aktu for another aniuiul with longer ears, stamped with thy words "Ye mare." Under the whole of this uuiqu-3 coat of arms was the inscription " Seal o< the Burrow of Sydenham." The armorial beariugs excited a great deal of interest, and the inscriptions were read most s<*dately by the Town Clerk. As however, it passed from hand to hand, and was found to be accompanied by no letter, it ultimately gleamed upou the Councillors that tho whole thing was a joke and one of them even went so fur as to gay he should not be surprised if it was one of Mr John Oliver's "gigs." As it was stated to have been received from the Messenger nt the Grorernment Buildings, this suggestion appeared to SWQfc with uaiferaal approbation . Wq

understand that the "seal"' will be framed and hung up in the Sydenham Town Hall, for the edification of future generations."— Lyttelton Times.

In the crypt of Warwick Church, tha mighty ribbed arches of which spring from one enormous pier, there ia an artiole which haa long gone out of use — whether advantageously or not I shall not venture to flay-— a ducking stool made for the public discipline of scolding women. This is one of the only two that remain in England. It consists oft a strong oaken frame on low wheels, from which a seat rises upon an inclined beam that works upon a pivot or axle. The scold was lashed into the seat, and then the " iinstitutio n was drawn to the river side at a convenient deep placa, and rolled in uotil the patient sat just above the water. Then the land end of tbe beam was tipped up, and consequently the other end witb its lading went down under the water, where it was allowed to remain not too long, and was then raised for breathing time. The procesa waa repeated aa often aa it waa thought beneficial to tha lady under treatment, or neoessary for the peace of her family and neighborhood. Whether husbands ever interceded for wives thus disciplined as wives do now sometimes for husbands who are unreasonably interfered with in the gentle sport of blackening their eyes, or kicking their ribs, is not recorded.—2%e Galaxy.