The Law of Adultery and Ignominious Punishments--With Especial Reference to the Penalty of Wearing a Letter Affixed to the Clothing.

The article presents an examination into the legal history of the Massachusetts Bay Colony regarding punishments for adultery and discussion concerning the historical accuracy of Nathaniel Hawthorne's story "The Scarlet Letter." Details are given outlining several instances of English law in the colonies where the practice of pinning labels on criminals for the sake of public example were used. Particular examples are given of 17th century Massachusetts law pertaining to the treatment of those found guilty of incest, adultery and other forms of sexual misconduct. Precedents in earlier legal history of more severe forms of branding are also discussed.