The Isle of Wight Observer, published on January 1, 1853, told how Edward Flux was up before the bench for swearing when told he would not get an extra Christmas dinner while in the House of Industry – a type of workhouse. He was sent to Winchester Bridewell, a house of correction – but explained why he would rather be sent to prison. His wish was not granted!

Edward Flux was charged by Mr. Clarke, governor of the House of Industry, with making use of some of the very worse language possible for a man to utter, as when told that as he was an able bodied man in the house, he would not be allowed the extra dinner on the Christmas day, as was allowed to the old paupers, if he remained there. The prisoner said he could get no work, and if he were turned out of the house, he must either beg or steal, and lie under hedge, and for either of which, they would imprison him: and so, what was he do. He did not want to be twitted about what he was to have on Christmas day. Mr. Clarke said, he told all the able bodied men the same thing, that they might not be disappointed, and cause a disturbance… The Magistrates felt that it would not be right to let such behaviour pass over unnoticed, committed him to Winchester Bridewell for three weeks; upon which he said, he would rather go to prison for three months, than stop in the house, for he had been there two or three times before, and was always very comfortable; he had a room to himself, and a book to read, and what more could he want? He also began to make use of such exceeding bad language, that the Magistrates ordered him to be taken out of court, and during his imprisonment, to be kept to hard labor, and a low diet.