Among my Christmas gifts was a used volume called, Old Time Punishments, by William Andrews, a reprint of a book originally published in 1890.
In a chapter provocatively titled, “Punishing Authors,” I find this passage:
Authors and publishers were often nailed by the ears to the pillory, and when ready to be set at liberty the ears would frequently be cut off, and left on the post of the pillory. A farce called “The Patron,” by Foote, contains allusions to the practice. Puff advises Dactyl to write a satire. To the suggestion replies Dactyl: “Yes, and so get cropped for libel.” Puff answers him: “Cropped! aye, and the luckiest thing that could happen to you! Why, I would not give twopence for an author who is afraid of his ears! Writing — writing is, as I may say, Mr. Dactyl, a sort of warfare, and none can be victor that can be least afraid of a scar. Why, zooks, sir! I never got salt to my porridge till I was mounted at the Royal Exchange; and that was the making of me. Then my name made a noise in the world. Talk of forked hills and Helicon! Romance and fabulous stuff, the true Castalian stream is a shower of eggs, and a pillory the poet’s Parnassus.”
I hate to think what punishments they might have handed out for some Internet postings I see.
– the book is available (with illustrations)at Gutenberg.org and at Manybooks.net.
So, Lars, is this punishment business something you anticipate? Expect? Deserve? Strive for? Want to avoid? Dream about? Have nightmares about?
Come now, sir, we all recognize your genius in writing your books and you would never need fear for your ears!
The book does sound interesting however and might be something politicians should read if their profession is substituted for authors.
Alas, I doubt I’ll ever be successful enough to have an ear cut off.
Speaking of ‘obsolete’ punishments; I see California seems to have legalized marijuana use. The fellow who goes by the name of Vox Day (‘The Irrational Atheist’) is all in favor of the ruling. Can this be true? (It’s not April fool’s day is it?)
– IA was a good, if flawed response to the Sam Harris crowd. (Available free online)I was quite impressed by some of the historical background he brought to his arguments.
I haven’t followed Vox Day closely, but I know he’s a libertarian, so drug legalization ought to be in his line.
RE: being successful enough to have the ear cut off….?
I think Van Gogh said something similar to your statement, Lars……although, I might be wrong on the timing….