AN ALARUM, EXETER, 1845.

 "Mrs. Lydia Tothill and Mrs. Elizabeth Rice, have been neighbours, and cronies, residing in Toby's Buildings, Lower North-street, - 

"They were both dressed in mourning; but one of these being about to remove to a litle distance from the other; the joy of the one remaining was testified by setting up an alarum at the window with a pestle and mortar, and ringing a bell. - 

"The Bench had no jurisdiction and dismissed the case, with a word of advice to each, and an intimation that it was well perhaps for themselves, and also the peace of the neighbourhood that such good neighbours were separated."

I needed to read this Court report (from The Exeter Flying Post, 3rd July, 1845 ) several times before I understood it.  I'm still not sure that this is the story.  The tired sarcasm of the Victorian newspapermen can be very confusing.   Mrs. Tothill and Mrs. Rice, both perhaps widows, hated each other like poison.  When Mrs. Tothill eventually left Toby's Building there was the ringng of a bell and the rattling of a pestle in a mortar at Mrs. Rice's window to spitefully send her on her way.   Mrs. Tothill brought Mrs. Rice to the Exeter Guildhall to answer for her incivility but the Bench, quite rightly, dismissed the case.

Pestle and mortar  being used to make a racket I find an interesting detail. 

Dressed in mourning: I guess for Messrs. Tothill and Rice who had gone before.  Widows were expected to wear mourning for at least two years.   Many never again wore anything other. 

Good neighbours:  The clue as to what here is sarcasm and what not is indicated by the change of type style.