GROSS INGRATITUDE, EXETER, 1892.

"ELLEN JANE DAVEY, a married woman of West-street, was summoned on the information of Chief Inspector Short for stealing a pair of boots.

"The Inspector stated that a few days since the defendant and her husband were summoned for failing to send their child regularly to school.   The plea then put in was that the child could not go to school because it had no boots.  The Mayor ordered him (Inspector Short) to purchase a pair of boots.  He had done so, and gave them to the defendant.  Before he did so he gave her clearly to understand that the boots were not hers.

"The boy wore them for about a week when defendant pawned them at Mr. Linscott's, pawnbroker for half a crown.

"The defendant said she had not had any money for eleven years, and she was supported by her son.  She pawned the boots to get food for her husband who had been ill.

"The Mayor, addressing the defendant, said she had been guilty of a wicked and gross act of ingratitude.   He had no hesitation in saying that the boots were pledged for the purpose of getting drink,  The case would be adjourned for a month in order to see how she behaved herself."

Ellen Jane Davey's little boy could not go to school barefoot so the Mayor of Exeter shod him.   For a week he wore new boots.  The boots were not a gift but a loan so when Ellen Jane popped them at the pawnshop she committed theft and her son ran barefoot again. 

I am assuming the son who supported her was not the one with, or rather without, the boots.  But maybe not! 

Whether Mrs. Davey spent the money on drink or on food for her husband, such desperate poverty is mind-blowing and, happily, unthinkable in today's Exeter. 

Source: The Exeter Flying Post, 28th May, 1892.     

 .

CAPTAIN LOUISA CHRISTMAS, EXETER, 1888

 In 1888 the Salvation Army had only been known by that name for ten years but there was already a Salvation Army Hall established in Exeter.   On Saturday 31st March there were services which went on late into the night.  In the Hall were the Salvationists and those prepared to be saved but in the lobby were rowdy boys and young men come to disturb the peace,  

That same night Salvationist Halliwell Hutchinson, who was acting as doorman went into the lobby but there he was struck in the face by one rowdy and knocked down with a walking stick by another.

Captain Louisa Christmas (was she as lovely as her name?), however, was not afeared.   She was in charge of the services.  Like Major Barbara she was pepared to face down  disturbers of the peace.  The Western Times (5th April 1888) court report from Exeter'e Guildhall reads:  

"Charles Lyons, William Down, and Thomas Trump, young men, were charged with creating a disturbance at the Salvation Army Hall on Saturday night.

"Louisa Christmas, captain, stated that she was in charge of the services at the Hall on the night in question,  About twenty-five minutes to twelve o'clock she heard a noise in the lobby creating a disturbance.  She asked Downs personally to leave the lobby, as he was rather intoxicated.  But he refused to go, saying that his wife was in the Hall , and he was going in,   She told the other prisoners to be quiet and if they behaved themselves she would let them in to the Hall.  But as they continued making a noise a policeman was sent for." 

The offenders who had declined to behave themselves were appropriately shamed and fined by the Exeter magistrates.

"A DESTITUTE SCOTCHMAN", EXETER, 1883.

Under this title The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette (23rd November, 1883) told this story:

"At the Guildhall yesterday a plasterer from Scotland. named George Patton, applied to the Mayor for relief in order to assist him to get back to Scotland.

"He said that he was a widower with three children, whom he he had left in the care of his brother-in-law.   About a month ago he left home in search of work. and sailed to Plymouth from Glasgow.  He then had some money, and was able to pay his passage.  He could not get work, however, at Plymouth, and he had walked to Exeter, and all his money was gone.  He had tried in vain to obtain employment, and he now desired to be sent to Bristol, where there was a Scottish Society that would help him get home,

"In reply to the Bench, he said that of course he could walk to Bristol, but he had no money, and he was not allowed to beg or do anything else.

"The Mayor said that it was unusual to assist cases upon the mere statement of the applicant without any proof whatever, but in this instance the man was evidently from Scotland, and the Bench would therefore grant him 2s. 6d. from the Mayor's poor box. providing that he at once left the city and proceeded on his journey to Bristol.

"The applicant appeared excessively grateful for the assistance granted, and promised to start immediately." 

George Patton had walked from Plymouth and, of course, he could walk to Bristol where there was a Scottish Society which he seems to expect would help him in the manner of a consulate. The Mayor and magistrates of Exeter clearly did not want a penniless Scot on the streets.  It was worth half-a-crown from the poor box to send him on his way.

This was giving with two fingers.  The money would not  go far.  On the other hand the accessibilty and immediacy of the relief is impressive.   The 'Scotchman' walks into a city where the Mayor is in his Guildhall and is approachable for relief as well as for justice,   These days there would be delays and robots and form-fillings galore,

Poor George Patton!  After all that effort, he was going home to his motherless children with empty pockets.  I hope fortune smiled on him somehow or other.  

A NOTORIOUS LITTLE CUSTOMER, EXETER, 1874.

 Abraham Isaacs of Catherine-street was summoned to Exeter's Guildhall by the School Board for neglecting to send his son to school: 

"Isaacs said his lad was eight and a half years of age, and was a notorious little customer.  

"Mr Austin (the prosecutor) said he had known the lad to go to as many as four schools, but the masters could do nothing with him.  

"Defendant said he had punished the lad severely, had chained him up to the bed-post, but he would break away.

"The Inspector said he would go into public-houses and stand on his head to amuse the company. - (laughter).

"Mr Austin said he was a sharp little fellow, and ought to be educated.  If he had not really committed any crime he was on the high-road to it.  Several masters had refused to take him in consequence of his refractory conduct.

"Defendant said he had taken him to school, but during the morning he had been known to conceal his cap under his coat, and managed to get away.

"Mr Austin said the Board considered the case was out of their hands, and was more for the care of the parents.  It was rarely that they could keep him to school more than one day in the week.

"The Bench enforced a conditional fine of 2s 6d, to be enforced if the child was not regularly sent for the next fortnight,"

One senses the utter helplessness of the parents and the School Board, not to mention that of  the schoolmasters, faced with a sharp little fellow who wanted only to go into pubs and stand on his head, 

For all our 'social science' I don't think we have much more idea today how to deal with 'refactrory conduct' in children.  We don't chain them to bedsteads but the worst of them we lock away in the regional secure unit. 

And so, it would seem that, in Victoria's Exeter, schoolmasters, if they so wished, could refuse to take a difficult child into class.   What a prerogative!

Source: The Western Times, 1st September, 1874.

HILARIOUS SPIRITS, EXETER, 1861.

It was a sunny day in July and there has been a picnic for the working men of Exeter.  The Exeter Flying Post reports:

"The annual pic-nic of the Exeter Working Men's Mutual Improvement Society was held on Monday afternoon on the beautiful grounds of Stoke House, the residence of E.A.Sanders Esq. on the Old Tiverton-road.

"Tea, dancing, Militia and Rifle Corps music, kissing in the ring, archery, smoking and Aunt Sally were the amusements of the day, and in this way a very pleasant afternoon and evening werre passed by upwards of 2,000 persons.

"At the close of the day's amusements Mr.Sanders addressed the assemblage, expressing his entire satisfactiion with the manner in which they had all behaved, his cordial approval of the objects of the society, and promising a contribution of £10 towards its funds.  Three hearty cheers were given in response.  The band struck up, amid the cheering, 'For he's a jolly good fellow,' and in the most hilarious of spirits the assemblage quitted the grounds." 

2000 respectable, one feels, persons, working men and their wives and children, enjoying themselves without, it would seem, alcohol  but with a beneficent philanthropist  How the world has changed. 

Kiss in the ring sounds fun but I fear you had to be little to play. 

PITCH AND TOSS, EXETER, 1858.

At the Castle of Exeter on Thursday 2nd April 1858:

"Three lads, named SAMUEL DARCH, JOHN MERRIFIELD and JOHN VERSEY, were charged by P.C. Westcott, with playing at pitch and toss in the road leading from Paynter's Row to the Haven Banks, on Sunday last.

"The officer stated that he saw the defendants in the road on Sunday, and concealed himself in an adjoining garden to watch their movements.  Whllst there he saw the defendants playing at pitch and toss, and ultimately one of them threw up some coppers, and sang out 'two heads'  The officer then jumped into the road , and cried 'and I'll have the other.'

"For the defendants, Mr. Toby submitted that the allegation in the summons 'unlawfully gathered and wilfully obstructing the free passage' was not proved.  Mr Drake (magistrates' clerk) thought, however, that as there were several other persons present at the time, it was an unlawful gathering' and a 'wilfully obstructing the free passage.'

"The Bench then fined the defendants 1s each, and expenses." 

Playing at pitch and toss was the craze among the street boys of Exeter in the 1850s.  Here, three coppers had been thrown at a mark and the winner, i.e. the closest, had then tossed all three in the air. The ones that came down heads he could keep. The third coin should have gone to whomever threw the second closest but at this fateful juncture P.C. Westcot leapt from his ridiculous hiding place and spoiled their sport by charging them all three.

Pitch and toss was an offence because it involved gambling (but hardly!) and I think Mr. Toby was right to question the charge that they were wilfully obstructing  free passage but the Bench was resolved in its condemnation.. 

Source: The Western Times, 3rd April 1858

"SINGULAR FIDELITY", EXETER, 1843.

 Singular Fidelity was The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette's  (11th February 1843) title for the following long report from the Police Court at Exeter's Guildhall which is offered with little comment: 

"Charles Locke, a lad of very humble exterior. with a countenance that could not be called prepossessing, although containing an expression of great honesty, was charged by a female of the name of Lang, with an assault on the previous night, about 11 o'clock, -

"From the statement of the woman,  whose nose appeared to have received a remarkable depression from the effects of some recent manipulation, the prisoner was described as having interposed himself between her and the road she desired to take in Waterbeer-street, at the time in question, and wantonly committed the outrage complained of.

"In answer to questions from the Bench, the prisoner stated that he was a traveller with his master, an itinerant cheese-dealer, who had lodged at the Turk's Head Inn on the previous night.  His master had been in company of the girl before the assault took place, and had left her to go into the Inn, to his quarters. He was in a state of intoxication at the time, and the boy was fearful that the money which he carried about his person, amounting to some £10, would be obtained from him by her.

"On observing his master come into the inn-yard from Waterbeer-street, the boy went to the doorway there and obstructed the entrance of the woman, Lang, who wanted to follow, and he committed the assault by tendering her a 'back-handed smack.'  The boy had been six years with his master.   The brewer at the Turk's Head, who had witnessed the transaction, corroborated the lad's story.

"The master, who had been the cause of this fracas, but who seemed to entertain a very careless apathy as to what happened to his servant, was now sent for from the Turk's Head, and reluctantly admitted his acquaintance with the girl, but expressed the opinion that he could mind his own business better than his boy, who was a fool for interfering.

"The Bench were of opinion that the violence used by the boy exceeded the necessity of the case, and fined him 1s. and expenses, or a week's imprisonment.   The lad had no money, and was about to be carried off, when his master, touched by something like a feeling, said 'he 'ud rather pay the 4s. for'n, and so he did."

It's the way they tell them!

'

A SWINDLER, EXETER, 1842.

According to The Western Times of  Saturday, 22nd January 1842:

"On Tuesday evening, a man, who called himself Knox, went to the shop of Mr. Burrington, watch maker, and having examined some watches and other articles of jewellery, desired that some watches, chains, keys, and other articles, might be taken to his lodgings, at Mrs. Newman's, 14, Verney Place, St, Sidwells, in order that a selection might be made for a lady. Mr Barrington accompanied him with six watches, nine gold chains, twelve gold keys, and other articles, to the value of £170.

"When they arrived at the house Mr. Burrington was requested by the swindler to take a chair, and give him the articles, that he might show them to a lady in an adjoining room.  This was done and after Mr. Burrington had waited some considerable time, a thought flashed upon him that some trick might be in progress...."

Mr Burrington seems to have been a bit slow off the mark.   It took a while for that thought to flash upon him but he was quick enough to hire a chaise and set out on a Pickwickian pursuit of  Mr. Knox:

"and after much search and enquiry found the swindler and 'the lady' in bed together at the New Inn, on the road between Chudleigh and Ashburton."

Mr. Knox's sweetheart was an Exeter girl, Mary Ann Endicott of Spiller's Street, and she was deemed to be an innocent and discharged.   Things, however, were serious for the poor man who called himself  Knox.   He was committed to await trial, 

A GOOD WHIFF OF TOBACCO, EXETER, 1803.

In 1803 Exeter had an established tobacconist in a prime corner of the city, Wescomb's.  So established indeed, that it was able to advertise in the leader column of The Exeter Flying Post  (15th December, 1803.) verses and all!

"To a person of taste there is nothing so highly gratifying as an excellent pinch of Snuff, or a good whiff of Tobacco; - but where can they be had genuine?  why at Wescomb's Warehouse, in St. Martin's Lane, which is allowed by all ranks of people to contain a greater variety of Snuffs and Tobaccos than any one house in London,  where upward of two hundred different sorts are constantly kept on sale, for the accommodation of the nobility, gentry, and public in general.

Life is a smoke! if this be true

Tobacco will your life renew!

Then fear not death, nor killing care, 

But fill a Pipe with Wescomb's ware!"

Today Exeter still has a tobacconist but the nobility and gentry have fled beyond the city walls.  The hope of our nation, the up-coming generation, certainly fear not death. Too many young people are still finding a good whiff of tobacco highly gratifying.  Mostly, it seems, they choose to sit on the floor somewhere in public and roll their own  cigarettes with 'rizla paper' and with, no doubt genuine, tobacco but also other substances.   I have seen some of our many 'homeless' glean their tobacco from the fag-ends of the Exeter pavement and fill their pouches with their frugal gains.  

Persons of taste?  

 

SALUTARY MEASURES, EXETER, 1802.

 Thomas Floud was arguably Exeter's most successful Mayor of the century.   When he retired from office in 1802 The Exeter Flying Post (30thSeptember 1802)  reported , among other things, that he had removed an unbounded number of nuisances which, from their having been continued with impunity, had become habitual. Moreover he had changed the appearance of the public streets from the most disgusting filth to perfect cleanliness.    Thomas Floud was a strict disciplinarian and applied the regulations of the time with energy and commitment,   The week after his retirement, The Post published this Address which had been agreed by the Constables of the City at a special meeting in the Swan Tavern:     

"SIR,

"Sensible of the great Advantages that have arisen for the Citizens at large during your Mayoralty and the upright and independent Manner in which you have perfomed the  Duties of Chief Magistrate, permit us to offer you our warmest Thanks

"We not only feel. in common wuth our  fellow Citizens, the Benefits of those salutary Measures which you have adopted and carried into Effect, for removing Offences of all Descriptions, and thereby promoting  the Convenience and the  Healths of the Inhabitants but we also admire the great Attention that has been paid to every part of the Police of this City/

"We beg Leave to express our Acknowledgement of the very handsome Conduct you have exercised towards us as CONSTABLES in the Execution of our Office and we should more deeply lament your quitting the situation you have held , had we not the Assurance that your successor will follow up those Measures you have so beneficially adopted."

It must have been heartening for citizens and police to think and feel that somebody cared for the city of Exeter who had the will and the authority to introduce salutary measures. 

A TALKING HORSE, EXETER, 1801.

"Christopher Lee Sugg was an entertainer, a 'professor of internal elocution',  that is, a ventriloquist, patronised by not less than the Duke of Cumberland.   He performed in August,1801 at the Hotel Assembly Room in Exeter for the inhabitants of the city and tickets sold at three shillings a ticket.   The Exeter Flying Post of 20th August printed this story:

"LEE SUGG, wishing to embrace every opportunity of making his singular talents the subject of public conversation, created no inconsiderable alarm on the public road the other day, as he was riding from this city to Exmouth. 

"The turnpike gate being opened, he rode hastily through,when, of a sudden, stopping his voice to the horse's head, exclaiming,  'I'll not go any further.'  'Why not? says Lee Sugg.-  'Because you have not payed for me, replied the horse.

"The woman at the gate was much alarmed at so extraordinary a phenomenon; however, after a little altercation between L.S. and his horse, they set off. but had not proceeded many yards, when they overtook an old woman, whom Lee Sugg's horse 'swore he would kiss.'  The old woman cries out, 'For God;s sake,  do not hurt me.'  L.S. replies 'He won't hurt you; did you never hear of the talking horse?'  -'Oh! sir! (says she)  'I know as well as you it is no horse; if you have any power over him, for Heaven's sake keep him from me.'  ;Why, what do you think it is then?' says Lee Sugg -  "Oh! do not, do not let him approach me, for I know too well that it is the Devil, though in the shape of a horse.'  Then L.S. again throwing his voice to the horse's head, excliams, ;Well, good woman, since you know me, I shall leave you to yourself for the present.  Remember me.'  -  The old woman replies -  'remember,  I am sure I shall never forget you; and I am happy you are gone.'" 

   

A QUESTION OF DISCIPLINE, EXETER, 1896,

At an inquest on yet another drowned woman held at the Exeter Police Court reported in The Exeter Flying Post of 6th June 1896, there was a row between the Mace-Sergeant and the Coroner, thus:

"Mace-Sergeant Gillard was in attendance as Coroner's officer.  The Coroner said he had given the warrant to Inspector Wicks.- Gillard: He is out of town.- The Coroner: I don't care for that.- Gillard:  But I am here in his place. - The Coroner:  I can't allow you to appear here in the present state of affairs.- Gillard:  Very good, sir. - The Coroner:  The officer I gave the warrant to, Wicks; he is not here;  it is his duty. - Gillard:  Very well, sir, I don;t want to have an argument;  if you want to have Wicks I will go and look for him but he is is out of town, and I summoned the jurymen.  The Coroner: I don't care;  I gave the warrant to Wicks and gave him my instructions...."   And so on.

Inspector Wicks was not out of town he was in his lodgings in Sidwell Street and was soon winkled out.   Over the years you can still hear the not so dumb insolence, the surly voice of the bolshy mace-sergeant and the tremulous insistence of the Coroner.

The story of this trivial quarrel simmered on and was made much of by the City Council.   Most of them wanted to side with the mace-sergeant because he was their own man whereas the Coroner, perhaps, somewhat like Bernard Knight's wonderful 'Crowner John', was seen as the Queen's officer and an outsider. 

TOUCHSTONE of The Flying Post, however, had no doubt as to the rights of the matter.  The case was still being discussed by the Council a month later.   He wote in his column of 11th July 1896. 

"It is not a question of superior or inferior, or both losing temper.  It is not a question of animus or provocation.  It is simply a question of discipline - of respect for a high and ancient office,....Nothing can justify a subordinate returnng an insolent answer to a superior,  The relative position, too, of the two men now in question is not recognised by the majority of the Council.  It is not an altercation between those practically on an equality.  It is as though an Admiral and a petty officer, a General and a Corporal, or a Judge and an usher of the Court were concerned."  

THE BEDFORD CHURCH CHILDREN'S OUTING, EXETER, 1889.

"The children attending Bedford Church Select Bible-classes and the Day and Sunday Schools were favoured with fine weather on the occasion of their annual outings to Woodbury Common\.  The members of the Select Bible classes. numbering 90. went on Saturday, and the Day and Sunday Schools. numbering 130, on Monday.

On both occasions the parties were conveyed in breaks and wagonettes, supplied by Mr, Bickford, of the Bedford Mews, and great praise is due to the drivers for the careful way in which they did their work, the journeys there and back each day being accomplished without a hitch,

It is needless to say that one and all thoroughly enjoyed the drives.  The hedges, with the wild rose and honeysuckle in full bloom, and the newly-mown fields added fragrance to the beauty of the scene.  On ariving at Black-hill at 3 o'clock it was found that the bracing air had sharpened the appetites of the young folk, and each one was speedily served with a substantial ham sandwich, after which the company resolved itself into small parties, which roamed over the moor and through the woods, returning at 4.30 p.m. for tea.

The remainder of the days was spent in various games, prizes for which had generouly been given by members of the congregation.  Two of the prizes on Saturday were specially valuable, one being a pair of hand-embroidered braces and the other a silver pencil-case, the gift of the wardens.  The amusements and recreations were brought to an end by the ascent of fire-balloons after which the homeward journey was begun.

Bedford Church was reached at about 10 o'clock, and the enjoyable outings were brought to a close by the parties before leaving the breaks standing up and singing the Doxology." 

Glory, what an image!   At ten o'clock on that Monday, one hundred and thirty boys and girls in Bedford Square, were standing up on their 'breaks and wagonettes' and singing the Doxology! 

"Praise God from whom all Blessings flow!"

Source: The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 26th June, 1889.

A DISGRACEFUL OFFENCE, EXETER, 1819

 In May 1819 the 'active' Chief Magistrate (Mayor) of Exeter took a stand against a local custom that must have dated back to before Henry Vlll's break with Rome.

Maundy Thursday,  Holy Thursday,  Shere Thursday is associated with washing and cleansing.  This because it was the day, so the authors of the gospels tell us, Christ washed the feet of his disciples.   Shere carries the meaning bright or pure, hence cleansed. 

It appears that generations of Exonians, surely not only the idle and ill-disposed, thought it fun to go out on the streets on Holy Thursday and purify their neighbours by throwing water over them.   The Exeter establishment did not approve.   The Exeter Flying Post of 20th May 1819 informed its readers:

"It has long been a subject of just complaint with the inhabitants of this city, that they are prevented from walking the streets on Holy Thursday, in consequence of a most shameful and lawless practice which prevails with the idle and ill-disposed, of throwing water on the passengers, without distinction of age or sex.

"We are happy to find that our active Chief Magistrate has caused hand-bills to be issued declaring his determination to punish, with the utmost severity all who are found guilty of an offence so highly disgraceful." 

Is it not curious how nowadays we almost exclusively use  passenger for one who rides in cars, trains, planes and buses?  In 1819 it simply meant one who passes on his way.

I should like to see one of those hand-bills. 

A MISCHIEVOUS IDEA, EXETER 1889.

In March, 1889, the Managers of  The Exeter Training College (i.e. for schoolmasters.  Nobody seems to want to call it Saint Luke's yet.) met at the College for their Annual General Meeting.  There were more than forty of them.  Mr. Alexander Henry Abercromby Hamilton, who was only one of them, addressed the meeting.   He said....

"he would not underestimate learning , but they must remember that the duty of these young men must be that of imparting elementary education to children, and it was quite possible that men might do that work better even if they had not obtained a first class in classics or mathematics.  The chief object in this college was education in the principles and objects of the Church of England.

"The tendency which had arisen in the present day of separating religion from education must be guarded against in every possible way.  They could not teach children morality, honesty and temperence unless they based it on Christianity. He hoped they would always remember that religion was the one thing needful, and that the idea of separating morality from religion was dangerous and mischievous. - (Applause)" 

A.H.A. Hamilton I take to be the lawyer and legal historian who lived at Millbrook House, Exeter,   His contention, 'no morality without Christianity!' was altogether mainstream at the time.

Source: The Western Times, 22nd March 1889.   

THE STOKE HILL HEN, EXETER, 1817

"A gentleman residing on Stoke Hill, near this city, has in his possession a hen which answers the purposes of a cat, 

"She is constantly seen watching close to a corn rick, and the moment a mouse appears she seizes him in her beak and carries him to a meadow adjoining where she amuses herself by playing with her victim until he is dead:   She then leaves him, repairs again to her post, and is frequently known to catch four or five in a day'

"This has been her constant practice for months past, during which time she has killed a great number of those destructive vermin,"

The fact that the poor mouse is given a masculine pronoun seems to me to add terror and pathos to this mind-shattering story from 1817!  

This monstrous hen was clearly her master's pride and joy as well as being a celebrity who was reported in the newspaper.  There should, perhaps, hang a portrait of her in the parlour at the Stoke Arms.  

Source: The Exeter Flying Post,  30th January 1817 

IDLE AND VULGAR, EXETER, 1898.

"The idle and vulgar men and youths who find sport in annoying other people who enjoy a walk in Hoopern Fields had better take a hint if they desire to escape an appearance before the City Magistrates.  Their disorderly conduct,  and the damage to property of which they are the cause, have been communicated to the Council.

"The Watch Committee have had the complaints under consideration,  and they have instructed the Chief-Constable to send a few plain clothes men to the path fields at frequent intervals and especially on Sunday afternoons and evenings,   

"The order will be welcomed by all decent folk, and it is to be hoped the Magistrates, if they get any offenders before them, will so deal with them that they will not quickly forget that the pleasant and secluded walks in the city are no longer to be permitted to be a rendezvous for disorderly persons who fancy themselves licenced to be offensive to anyone they meet."

The pleasant and secluded walks in Hoopern Fields were a good way out of town.   Nowadays the equivalent annoyers of other people have taken over Exeter's city centre: the cathedral green, the parks. the gardens and even the open streets.  One has the impression that when decent folk complain to the so-called authorities about the anti-social behaviour of the idle and vulgar, such complaints  disappear like snow in summer and there is no chance at all that anything will ever be done about their disorderly conduct.  At least these Victorians made an effort and the newspapers published the progress of their determinations to the citizens, 

Not that I imagine the idle and vulgar were likely to read this Note of the Day in The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, 8th June 1898.