Room 2D

Part 2 from Janus 15 by Richard Manton Writer Richard Manton (the pseudonym of a well-known novelist) continues his recreation of just one day in the life of James Miles, the factual Master of the Hoo Union Workhouse at Rochester, Kent during the 19th century. This compelling, obsessive yet authentic account, closely based on records of the time, takes one deep into the world of workhouse discipline for girls and raises many topical questions relating to right-wing moves to get corporal punishment put back on the statute books.  Part one  of The Man with the Golden Rod appeared in Janus 14. When, as James Miles, you were acquitted at your trial, the justices were clearly on your side. Off you go, they said. Birch those young reformatory trollops long, hard, and often. Did you suspect that the justices had a vested interest in the verdict? No? What a trusting sort of chap you are. The French revealed the truth in such Edwardian hooks as  Etudes sur la Flage...

Part 1 from Janus 14 by Richard Manton In January 1841, James Miles made headlines for the first time in the  Morning Chronicle . When charged with excessive use of birch and cane upon the bare bottoms of girls in his care, the justices laughed the case out of court at Rochester sessions. Mr Miles went on from strength to strength, supported by disciplinarians, press, and the justices — traditionally allowed to come and watch girls under the birch. As late as 1897, his colleague, the Rev Marshall Vine, supported such disciplinary zeal. It was still customary to give 36-stroke birchings in reformatory institutions, Vine insisted. ‘And I have done so,’ he added proudly in his evidence to the Parliamentary Committee. In our own time there is a groundswell of opinion, in the polls and in parliament, which favours the return of judicial chastisement. What would it be like? How would the system work? Is it quite as edifying as its supporters suggest? Perhaps before we give it ou...

Another five illustrations from the Contents pages of Janus magazine by Paula Meadows. From Janus 38. He selects a cane from the range of implements in their ‘play room’, while she takes up a very sexy pose. From Janus 39. Making one last humiliating point with the tip of his cane under her chin before her punishment begins. From Janus 41. A group punishment begins. The girl third in line is looking forward to sir’s attentions and has worn stockings and suspenders in anticipation. The other girls start to wonder if she engineered the whole thing. From Janus 42. The Madam of the brothel prepares her newest recruit for the attentions of one of her best clients. From Janus 43. The stern dance instructor looks on disapprovingly as she waits for the girl to get back to her feet. The girl watching right at the back looks like she might be enjoying her classmate’s discomfort. That is the last of the early Contents pages from Paula ...

Another five illustrations from the Contents pages of Janus magazine by Paula Meadows. From Janus 33. A Scottish father administers an al fresco tawsing to his daughter. From Janus 34. A mother applies discipline with a ruler to two naughty bottoms while father looks on sternly. I’m not sure the attempt to show a ‘pancaking’ effect on the buttocks has worked very well here. From Janus 35. He’s administered a sound caning in her bedroom and now has a contemplative (almost post-coital) cigarette while he ponders what to do next. From Janus 36. Those knickers are about to be yanked up tight before a caning from an unusual angle is applied. From Janus 37. ‘Come on, girl. Let the dog see the rabbit.’ She isn’t at all happy about having to take her knickers down — is the Head really allowed to make her do that? And what a lovely plump bottom, I can’t imagine that tiny skirt covers much of it.