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.
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