Babington, a
convict in the same prison with Edwards, was by
means of his wife prevailed on to execute his
fellow-prisoner. Gave to the wife 6 6 0

And to Babington 6 6 0

Paid for erecting a gallows, materials, and labour:
a business very difficult to be done in this
country 4 12 0

For the hire of a cart to convey the body, a coffin,
and for the burial 2 10 0

And for other expenses, trouble, and petty expenses,
on the occasion at least 5 0 0
----------
Total L49 19 0
==========

Which humbly hope your lordships will please to allow your
petitioner, who, etc.

Feasting at funerals in past time was by no means uncommon in Great
Britain, and perhaps still lingers in some of the remoter parts of the
country. In Scotland until the commencement of the present century
before or after executions, civic feasts were often held. After every
execution, at Paisley, says the Rev. Charles Rogers, LL.D., the
authorities had a municipal dinner. Thomas Potts was hanged at Paisley,
1797, at a cost to the town of L33 5s. 3-1/2d., of which the sum of L13
8s. 10d. was expended on a civic feast, and L1 14s. 3d. on the
entertainment of the executioner and his assistants. At Edinburgh, the
evening prior to an execution, the magistrates met at Paxton's Tavern,
in the Exchange, and made their arrangements over liquor. These
gatherings were known as "splicing the rope."[4]

During the distress which, owing to the scanty harvests of the later
years of the last century, prevailed throughout the country, but more
especially in the north, attention was drawn to an extremely curious
privilege claimed by the public executioner of Dumfries. From old times
a considerable portion of the remuneration for his hanging services was
in kind, and levied in the following manner. When the farmers and others
had set out in the public market their produce of meal, potatoes, and
similar provender, the hangman, walking along the row of sacks, thrust
into each a large iron ladle, and put the result of each "dip" i