The Western Times in George IV's reign was a truly 'moral' and often pompous newspaper, plenty of prêchi-prêcha, and was so even in the Births and Deaths column. This notice of the death of a fortune-teller of Frog Lane from the issue of 17th November 1827 doesn't hesitate to speak ill of the dead.
"On Saturday last, in Frog Lane, (died) Mr. Saml. Cox of this city, aged 70. He was renowned as a diviner into futurity, and was remarkable for his singular habits, a necessary requisite, for imposing on the ignorant and credulous; from which source he derived a living.
"The folly of his dupes often afforded amusement to his intimates; and though, in other respects a worthy member of society, deception can never be paliated by pleading the ignorance (of) the deceived."
One would want to know what were Mr. Cox's singular habits.
These days even unworthy members of society as well as otherwise worthy citizens of Exeter who make their living imposing on the ignorant and credulous, can rely on only fragrant comments being made in their death notices.
I imagine though that there still exist, in this city, plenty such practitioners and still plenty of dupes whose folly affords amusement.
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