BRANDING was a mode of punishment practiced in England for various offenses. It was effected by the application of a hot iron, the end of which had the form which it was desired should be left imprinted on the skin. But B. by such means has long ceased, and now it is practically confined to the case of desertion from the many—the 13. or marking being not done by a hot iron, but with ink, or other similar preparation. By the mutiny net of 1858, 21 Viet. c. 9, it is enacted by section 35 as follows: " On the first, and on every subsequent conviction for desertion, the court-martial, in addition to any other punishment, may order the offender to be marked on the left side, two inches below the arm-pit, with the letter D., such letter not to be less than au inch long, and to be marked upon the skin with some Mk or gunpowder, or other preparation, so as to be visible and conspicuous, and not liable to be obliterated." Formerly, 13. was employed in the case of all clergiable offenses by burning on the hand (see BENEFIT or' CLEnoy); and with a view still further to repress theft and petty larceny, the 10 and 11 Will. III.
c. 23, s. 6, provided that such offenders as had the benefit of clergy allowed them should be "burnt in the most risible part of the lift cheek, nearest the nose." This additional severity, however, not having the desired deterrent effect, but the reverse, was repealed by the 5 Anne c. 0, which nevertheless provided for offenders being burnt on the hand as formerly. The latter punishment, however. was entirely abolished by an act passed in 1822, the 3 Geo. IV. c. 38. Brawling in church (q.v.) was, by the 5 and 6 Edw. IV. c. 4, made an offense punishable by having one of the ears cut off, or, the offender hav ing no ears, by B. with the letter I` on the cheek. This punishment was repealed by the 9 Geo. IV. e. 31. 13., therefore, in the case of felonies, has been entirely abolished..