Normally in the nineteenth century newspapers only God has His personal pronouns capitalised but The Exeter Flying Post of 3rd July 1845 did as much for Exeter's celebrated Member of Parliament, Sir William Follett. Once again the sense of pride of the Electors, albeit a small and privileged group of men, in their City and in their Representative is impressive. The Post was the voice of the Tories but I find the report of the City's universal pride in Sir William's successes and its sorrow at his death convincing. He died on Saturday 29th 1845 and his obituary, bordered in black, from which the quote below, appeared in the next issue.
"When he attained to the office of Her Majesty's Attorney-General there was mingled in the sentiments of respect towards him, not only joy at gaining another step in the great career of Public Life, but a feeling of pride that He on whom these honours fell was closely identified with this City and its vicinity - from the days of his boyhood he had dwelt amongst us and had been intimately associated by the nearest ties with Exeter. Our Fellow Citizens seemed to feel that His continued success conferred upon Them an increased feeling of gratification that He was one of Them and represented Them in the Councils of State."
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