Page:Calcutta Review Vol. II (Oct. - Dec. 1844).pdf/339

334 plodding, monotonous mechanism, acting on head and heart with all the force of a congealing efficacy, the scheme of discipline may be truly characterized as throughout a reign of terror. Kindness, patience, generosity, love—all are alike unknown here. Fear is the first and last and only motive brought into play; punishment, the first and last and only stimulant. In varying the modes of this punitory discipline the utmost ingenuity is exercised. With the cane the master is always armed, as with an instrument as indispensable to his vocation as the eyes for seeing, or the ears for hearing; and it is in constant and faithful exercise. The open palm and clenched fist are also vigorously applied to the back, the cheek, and the head. These are but the common droppings that fall with the frequency and the fulness of tropical showers. Of the other varieties constantly exhibited, the following may be taken as those of most ordinary occurrence. A boy is made to bend forward with his face toward the ground; a heavy brick is then placed on his back and another on his neck; and should he let either of them fall, within the prescribed period of half an hour or so, he is punished with the cane. Or, a boy is condemned to stand, for half an hour or an hour, on one foot; and should he shake or quiver, or let down the uplifted leg before the time, he is severely punished. Again, a boy is made to sit on the floor in an exceedingly constrained position, with one leg turned up behind his neck. Or, still worse, he is made to sit with his feet resting on two bricks, and his head bent down between both legs, with his hands twisted round each leg so as painfully to catch the ears. Again, a boy is made to hang for a few minutes with his head downwards from the branch of a neighbouring tree. Or, his hands and feet are bound with cords; to these members so bound a rope is fastened; and the boy is then hoisted up by means of a pulley attached to the beams or rafters of the school. Again, nettles, dipped in water, are applied to the body, which becomes irritated and swollen; the pain is excruciating and often lasts a whole day; but, however great the itching and the pain, the sufferer is not allowed to rub or touch the skin for relief, under the dread of a flagellation in addition. Or, the boy is put up in a sack along with some nettles, or a cat, or some other noisesome creature, and then rolled along the ground. Again, the fingers of both hands are inserted across each other with a stick between, and two sticks without, drawn close together and tied. Or, a boy is made to measure so many cubits on the ground, by marking it along with the tip of his nose. Again, four boys are made to seize another, two holding the arms, and two the feet; they then alternately swing him, and