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In Mason’s own words
This man is suspended by his shoulders and ankles, in a very painful situation: at intervals, two attending officers afford some trifling alleviation of his sufferings, by supporting him with a bamboo, passed under his breast. Pencil, ink and paper, are ready, to note down whatever he may say.
This punishment ... is chiefly inflicted upon such merchants as have been detected in committing frauds, impositions or any other unwarrantable tricks of the trade