ABSTRACT
The French literature of the last century abounds in stories illustrative of flagellation, a punishment which seems to have particularly recommended itself to the fair sex. In most cases they were directly or indirectly the cause of many a whipping. This assertion might be supported by several examples. There is, for instance, the custom which prevailed in Italy and France, of ladies flagellating their acquaintances, while yet in bed, on the morning of the day of the Festival of the Innocents—or the fool’s day; “innocent,” both in Italian and French, signifying fool or simpleton. On that day ladies could exact satisfaction for the offences they might have received from their friends throughout the year. Those ladies who had agreed to go in the same party met in the morning according to pre-arrangement, and having laid their plans, set out, fully supplied with instruments of correction, to visit their acquaintances. Woe to the unlucky on’ who had forgotten to secure the door of his apart ment, for the ladies burst in upon him, and did not leave him until he was well disciplined.
