THE LADIES FAVOURITE, EXETER, 1845.

In what purported to be a humorous peep into the future, a not-altogether-literate, rail correspondant who signed himself  'W.', whose long letter was published  on May Day 1845 in The Exeter Flying Post, wrote:

"Now let us see how the Exeter and Plymouth gets on - I passed over the Line last week, and was surprised to find the works in such a forward state - why, my dear Sir, we shall soon, aye, in a few months, be "on the Rail" and I and you shall be able to say to our dear one -

"Come, come with me and trip by the Sea."

"Put on your bonnet my dear, where's the Satchel - Mary, cut some Sandwiches, and give me the Cherry Bounce - there, - it's all right - away we go across the river in the passage boat, out in a twinkling at the Staion. St. Thomas - into the Rail Carriage, and away - away - away - how beautiful the water looks in the Bright Sun, look at Powdeham Castle my dear, and the dear Deer - then see - there's Dawlish - yes indeed, and only fancy James, we are actually passing through the Sea - well, we are arrived at Teignmouth, - let's take a walk on the Beach - how pretty Shaldon looks, and the Ness - there, they are pulling in the Sprat Seines, do let us go on to these Shady Rocks - so we will love and there take a Sandwich, and drink all friends round St. Peter's - Isn't it time to dress for dinner love - I think it is dear, but I could stay here all day, - we'll come again next week won't we.

"My dear Mr. Editor this is a fairy tale, but a True one, ad we shall all, yes all,  from the lowest to the highest among our fellow Citizens be enabled to realize it.  I am sure such a Rail as this is sure to pay "Cause why" Yes, "Cause why" - do give it up - because it will be the "Ladies favourite," - and only get their support, and everything prospers." 

I was attracted to this 'voice' which is  presented as that of the average Exeter citizen of his time, an early type, perhaps, of Charles Pooter.  Our citizen has  a dear one, a son, James,  and a, long-suffering I suspect, housemaid, Mary.  In the event  he would have to wait a year before making his trip to Dawlish and, if he had invested in the South Devon Railway, would later have suffered from the failure of Mr. Brunel's atmospheric propulsion experiment.   

Cherry Bounce, I learn, is still going strong. It is cherries laid down in brandy. I must try some.

The passage boat:  For Exonians, all journeys from St. Thomas Station had to start with a river crossing.

All friends round St. Peter's:  Meaning 'all our friends in Exeter'.  St. Peter's being, as we all know, our cathedral.