The officers of the A Division Night Police (The A's). as reported in The Western Times, 2nd April 1842, met at the Britannia Inn, South Steet, Exeter to present a silver snuff-box to Captain Lascelles who was leaving the A's to become 'Custodian and Sergeant of the Right Honourable Mace.'' Captain Joslin was called upon to present the snuff-box. He said:
"....that of all the geat Captains of the age Captain Lascelles was the best he ever knowed. The prigs all bolted when they seed him, and the cadgers made themselves scarce as soon as ever he came across their beat. Them as did business in the happy lectic and parry lettic line, notwithstanding all their sham-abraham fits and shakings "moved on" like light horsemen as soon as they heard the silver sound of his pretty voice.
"It was a great grief to the A's to miss him, but they had this consolation remaining, that they should not be entirely without his counsel and advice."
The Western Times is taking liberties now unthinkable in thus reporting Captain Joplin's speech. I think I recognise this voice. Joplin sounds to me like a fifties' Bitish Army sergeant-major to whose commands I once jumped on the barrack square.
By prigs he means thieves. The cadgers, whom we now call 'the homeless', do business in the apolectic and paralytic line. Sham Abraham fits are acted out by Abraham-men (beggars) who, like the beggar Lazarus, (Luke, 16) end up in Abraham's bosom.
The more things change\.....
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