An early P. G.Wodehouseian figure perhaps, young Richard Wake Esq., the son of wealthy parents living in Heavitree, had come into town late on a Sunday night and, drunk as a lord, had flung stones at the public lamps. He managed to destroy some sixty lamps, oil and gas as well as, inadvertantly, the window of a citizen dwelling in Paris Street. Mr Blackall of the Magistrates had to meet the unusual challenge of sentencing the offspring of respectable citizens. He spoke accordingly:
"....I am extremely sorry to see the son of parents of such worth and great respectability reduced to the humiliating situation in which you now stand. I must suppose that you have hitherto desired to be considered as a gentleman, but I must tell you that actions such as these are entirely unbecoming that character; indeed, to my mind they betray a state of feeling and disposition devoid of principle as well as of the head as heart. Let me hope that at the time you commited these outrages, you were under the influence of liquor, and that what in that state you were induced to do you are now truly sorry for, and heartily ashamed of. Such conduct as has been clearly proved against you is wholly unworthy of any man claiming to be so considered in society, it will be impossible either that you should be permitted to keep the company of gentlemen, or that any man who values his own reputation should associate with you. If then you have any feeling for yourself, - if you have the slightest filial regard for your excellent parents, I entreat you to refrain from repetition of conduct like this. You are a young man, and I may suppose that at some time you mean to form a connexion with other families; then let not me alone put it to you, but seriously ask yourself the question, what family of any respectabilty can give countenance to such desire as you may entertain or admit you into it.?"
Fined £20. 6s , which was nothing like enough to pay for the damage, for which a cheque was at once handed to the court. By way of comparison the same Bench, the same day sentenced Thomas Kinsman as an idle and disorderly person , (described by the Post to be 'a pretender to the enlightenment of mankind by the sale of 'godly books',) to suffer the treadmill for fourteen days. One law for the toff, another for the stroppy street vendor!
Source: The Exeter Flying Post, 28th April, 1836.
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