There are two rules of St. Bridget, the first being is that any act of indiscretion attracts a sound birching before the entire society. The second is that one must kiss the rod before it is applied.

Told in graphic letters to her friend, pseudonymous author Margaret Anson recounts the flagellatory exploits while boarded at a Parisian finishing school for young ladies. Among the naughty and the nice, she will be paraded chemise tucked up and bottom bared for the swift application of cane and twig. In so doing, Margaret will experience a profound awakening of that part which...