An advertisement that appeared in The Exeter Flying Post (of the 8th April 1813) gave information that:
"JOSEPH COLERIDGE, of this city, Wheelright, having left his Wife and Family chargeable to the Corporation of the Poor of the said city, This is to give notice, that a reward of FIVE GUINEAS will be given to such person or persons who shall inform Mr. Robert Davey, the Inspector of the Poor of the said city, of the residence of the said Joseph Coleridge, so as he may be apprehended for the said offence.
"N.B. The said Joseph Coleridge is about 31 years of age, five feet five inches high, light complexion, light brown hair, and is supposed to be in or near London."
Poor Joseph had had enough of Exeter and of his wife and family and he had skipped it. But it was not going to be that easy! Robert Davey was on his track and hoped to haul him back to Exeter to be punished for his offence and there to fulfil his responsibilities to his family.
I find myself sympathising, for no good reason, with little Joseph Coleridge, the fugitive wheelright, and hoping that he managed successfully to lose himself in the Great Wen.
And why do petty bureaucrats of every said time and place end up murdering the said language?
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