The Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of 22nd May, 1841, gave a brief, routine report of the feasting enjoyed by the Bluecoat boys at the 'perambulation of the bounds' of the city of Exeter, an annual event which has been well documented in the local histories:
"On Tuesday morning last, the Right Worshipful the Mayor, with the High Sheriff, Aldermen and Council and officers of the Corporation, accompanied by the Blue Coat boys, made their annual perambulation of the bounds of the city, observing the customary forms.
"The party, after the fresh air and exercise, enjoyed a sumptuous breakfast at Bowden's Cowley Bridge Inn, the far-famed potted eels of this suburban resting place, with other etceteras, forming part of the handsome and substantial repast.
"After the close of the perambulation, the boys - some few of whom had undergone the refreshing process of 'ducking' - were, with the 'Captain,' provided with a sumptuous dinner, and a moderate quantity of wholesome ale, -when 'the cloth being removed,' the healths of the Queen, the Mayor, the Trustees of St. John's Hospital, the worthy master of the school (Mr. Gould,) &c. were drunk and duly honoured."
For the charity boys, some of whom would have been very little boys, there was a 'sumptuous' breakfast and a 'sumptuous' dinner with wholesome ale, - and all in one day! There's glory for you!
The duckings, (in the rivers Exe and Creedy?) would, I guess, in the distant past have served the same purpose as the beatings elsewhere, that is, to make sure the city's bounds were accurately remembered by the next generation
The famous Cowley Bridge Inn eels would have been caught (with worm-clots?) in the two rivers and potted at the inn.
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