King William and the "Thumbikins"

"I have heard," said King William, to Principal Carstairs, "that you were tortured with something they call 'thumbikins'; pray what sort of instument of torture is it?"

"I will show it you," replied Carstairs, "the next time I have the honour to wait upon your Majesty."

The Principal was as good as his word. "I must try them," said the King. "I must put in my thumbs here - now, Principal, turn the screw. Oh! not so gently - another turn - another - stop! stop! no more. Another turn, I'm afraid, would make me confess anything."

-Statistical account

Editor's note: Thumbscrews were used to torture Christians of Reformed faith into confessing their "crimes" against the government, i.e. practicing religious freedom. They can be seen at the Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street, along with the Boot (similar instrument) and The Maiden, a guillotine.

The Only Difference

Hoveden, a writer of the thirteenth century, informs us that Joannes Scotus, the early Scotch philosopher, being in company with Charles the Bold, king of France, that monarch asked him good-humouredly what was the difference between a Scot and a sot. Scotus, who sat opposite the king, answered -

"Only the breadth of the table."