SWEARING BY BLOOD.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2077, 25 August 1885, Page 2

SWEARING BY BLOOD.

Horror resulted—a shudder went through the Court, when a .T#m witness called out for blood when re was miked of him after what fashion he would be sworn. A policeman that was bjme side of the man, slunk away " Court Journal") aiid a pin might have dropped without its creating any sound. Eventually it was discovered that he wanted to put his thumb into it in order to 6reate an impression, A quart of sanguinary was abo.ut to. be ordered from tho nearest butcher's shop, when it was mildly explained that red ink . would do. Jiophiatophelea wan not so far advanced in " Inventories" when he insisted on taking the red fluid from "Faust." The Jap . put his finger delicately into the the red ink and wiped it nearly dry, then left his impression upon a piece of paper, to which the clerk placed his respected Japanese name, and .the oath was thus registered. We were informed afterwards that the aim of this impression is that it becomes the truest signature of a man, and there is no religious signification in the act. It is said that the lines iim pressed by the thumb of an individual are distinctly his own, as no two impressions of men or woman are alike, and it is quite easy to find out the difference l&een the lines, This would be a very e®ent precaution against forgery, and jA' strongly recommend it to the consideration uf Bank Directors, and that they should got clients to sign cheques in this fashion.