SWEARING BY BLOOD

Grey River Argus, Volume XXXI, Issue 5297, 18 September 1885, Page 4

SWEARING BY BLOOD

, Horrorresulted— a shudder went through the Court, when a Japanese witness called out for blood when it was asked of him after what fashion he would be sworn. A policeman that was by the side of the man, slunk away (says the Gowt Journal) arid a pin might have dropped without its creating any sound. Eventually it was discovered that he wanted to put his thumb into it in order to create an impression. A quart of sanguinary was about to be ordered from the neaript butcher's shop, when it was mildly explained that red ink would do. Mephistopheles was not so far advanced in " Inventories? when he insisted on taking the red fluid from " Faust" The J a p put his finger delicately into the red ink and wiptd it nearly dry, then left his impression upon a piece of paper, to which the Clerk placedhis respective Jap. name, andtheoath was registered. We were informed afterwards that the aim of this impression is that it becomes the truest signature of a man, and that there is no religious signification in the act. It is said that the lines are impressed by the thumb of an individual distinctly his (own, as no two impressions of men or women are like, and it is quite easy to find out the difference between the lines. This would be a very excellent precaution against forgery, and we strongly recommend it to the consideration of Bank Directors, and that they should get clients to sign cheques in this fashion.