17.—The Bishop of Lincoln, officiating for the Bishop of Norwich, confirmed 2,000 persons at East Dereham church. On the following day his lordship administered the rite to 2,068 persons at Norwich Cathedral; and on the 19th to 1,100 at Redenhall.
18.—A single wicket match between Fuller Pilch and T. Marsdon took place on the Norwich Cricket Ground. Pilch won, by 70 runs. The return match was played on Hyde Park Ground, Sheffield, on August 5th, when Pilch won by 128 runs.
20.—The Norwich Court of Mayoralty elected Mr. W. J. Utten Browne to the office of Sheriff.
—A duel was fought on the North Denes, Yarmouth. “The combatants were Mr. H. B--- and Mr. C. W---, the former seconded by Mr. J. B--- and the latter by Mr. W. C---, of the medical profession in N---. At the first shot Mr. W.’s pistol missed, and his antagonist fired in the air; at the second Mr. B. again fired in the air, and Mr. W. missed his aim. Another try took place, Mr. W. again missing and his antagonist firing as before. At the fourth and last Mr. W.’s ball just grazed Mr. B.’s thumb, when the parties appeared to have been satisfied, for they shortly after left the ground. The cause of the meeting arose at Maxim’s Marine Hotel on the beach.”
AUGUST.
27.—Mr. Alderman Steward was elected freemen’s Sheriff at Norwich.
29.—The Norwich Court of Guardians held a meeting to take into consideration the suggestions contained in a letter received from the Mayor (Mr. S. Bignold), for the establishment of a joint stock company for spinning yarn on a scale calculated to give extensive employment to the poor. The subject was further considered at a meeting convened by the Mayor at the Guildhall, on September 5th, when the Norwich Yarn Company was formed, and by October 1st a capital of £26,000 had been subscribed in shares of £100 each. (See February 27th, 1834.)
31.—A severe gale, which caused great damage to shipping, and resulted in the loss of many lives, occurred on the Norfolk coast. The Leith smack Earl of Wemyss went ashore at Brancaster; a heavy sea broke into the passengers’ cabin, and six ladies, a gentleman, and four children were drowned. Among the deceased were Miss Susan Roche, a young lady of great musical ability, and sister of Mr. A. D. Roche, the composer. (See October 16th.)
SEPTEMBER.
17.—The Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival (held on this occasion for the benefit of the Hospital, the Blind Institution, the Eye Infirmary, and the Dispensary) commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall. The principal vocal performers were Madame Malibran, Miss H. Cawse, Miss Bruce, Master Howe, Madame De Meric, Signer Douzelli, Mr. Horncastle, Mr. Hobbs, Mr. E. Taylor, and Mr. H. Phillips; conductor, Sir George Smart. Selections were given from “The Creation,” “The Last Judgment,” “The Deluge,” and “Israel in Egypt.” The Festival concluded on the 20th with a fancy dress ball. The total receipts were nearly £5,000, and the expenses about £4,200.
20.—Died at Yaxham Rectory, the Rev. Dr. Johnson, rector of that parish, with Welbourne annexed. “He was the friend of Cowper, and editor of his letters and posthumous works.”
30.—Died at Gorgate, near East Dereham, aged 77, the Rev. Thomas Crowe Munnings, M.A., rector of Beetley-cum-East Bilney. He was a well-known and prominent agriculturist.
—The arrival of the City of Norwich trader and the Squire (London trader) “rendered this date ever memorable in the history of the city by its being the day on which Norwich became a port.” These vessels, the first that had entered the Norwich river direct from the sea by way of the New Cut, were towed to the city from Surlingham Reach by a steam tug, with a band playing and colours flying. The river banks from Carrow “balance bridge” to the Foundry were thronged by thousands of citizens, and at Rudrum’s Wharf the City of Norwich was boarded by the Mayor (Mr. S. Bignold) and several members of the Corporation. The bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung, and the directors of the Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation entertained a large company at dinner at the Rampant Horse Inn. The success of the day’s proceedings was marred by the drowning, in Surlingham Reach, of a lad named Allerton, son of the master of the City of Norwich.
OCTOBER.
4.—The first general meeting was held of the Harleston Agricultural Society, established by the owners and occupiers of land, for the encouragement of skill and for promoting and rewarding industry and good conduct among cottagers, servants, and labourers.
5.—The head-mastership of Norwich Free Grammar School was rendered vacant by the resignation of the Rev. T. Kidd.
13.—Died at Hethersett, aged 36, Mr. Elias Norgate, first secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society, the plan of which was suggested by his father, Mr. Thomas Starling Norgate.
16.—An inquiry was opened by the magistrates at Docking, under authority of the Secretary of State, “to ascertain for his own and the public satisfaction whether there had been any loss of life by culpable negligence or loss of property by dishonesty,” on the occasion of the wreck of the Earl of Wemyss smack on Brancaster beach, on August 30th. As a result of the inquiry, Mr. William Newman Reeve was committed for trial on the charge of removing from the wreck certain property which he alleged he was protecting on behalf of his father-in-law, who was lord of the manor. At the Norfolk Lent Assizes, held at Norwich before Mr. Baron Vaughan on March 26th, 1834, the defendant was placed upon his trial, and was defended by Sir James Scarlett, M.P. His lordship, in directing an acquittal, said the evidence had utterly failed; it was unnecessary for Mr. Reeve to say anything in support of his character, for nothing had been made out against him. Amid applause in court the Judge added there was not the slightest stain upon the accused. Another case arising out of the same wreck was tried at the Norfolk Summer Assizes, on July 30th, 1834, before Mr. Justice Bosanquet. The accused, Robert Allen, Charles Oakes, and James Ward were charged with feloniously taking certain articles from the wreck. The jury returned a verdict of not guilty.
21.—The West Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry commenced a week’s training at King’s Lynn.
30.—Du Crow’s Circus Company commenced a season’s performances in a wooden building on the Castle Meadow, Norwich. It was known as “The National Arena and Equestrian Studio,” and was the first of the temporary buildings periodically erected in this locality for entertainments of the kind.
NOVEMBER.
6.—Mr. William Dalrymple was presented with a valuable silver salver by the Mayor, Sheriffs, citizens, and commonalty of Norwich, in acknowledgment of the care and skill he had displayed in the performance of his duties as surgeon to the Great Hospital and Doughty’s Hospital during the period of 28 years.
9.—Died at St. Michael at Coslany, Norwich, Ann, widow of Leonard Atkinson. “She was born in this parish December 24th, 1728, and had scarcely quitted it more than a week during the space of nearly 105 years. Free from wrinkles and decrepitude, she possessed her faculties unclouded till within a few months of her decease.”
13.—The 50th anniversary of the Norwich Public Library was celebrated by a dinner at the White Swan, presided over by Dr. England, president of the institution.
15.—A special assembly of the Norwich Corporation was held, to take into consideration the application of Mr. George Long and Mr. John Buckle, two of the Commissioners named in the Municipal Commission, for the production of charters and other muniments of the Corporation. A resolution was passed stating that the Corporation had no wish to withhold the information required, “but they protested against the Commission as illegal and unconstitutional, and denied the right of the Commissioners to make any inquiries.” At the opening of the Commission, on November 25th, the Sheriffs (Mr. W. J. Utten Browne and Mr. Edward Steward) declined to attend or to allow any of their officers to give evidence relative to the constitution of the Sheriffs Court, on the ground that “a Commission issued by virtue of the Royal prerogative alone was a process unknown to the law of England, and eminently hostile to public liberty.” The inquiry lasted twenty-two days, and concluded on December 19th.
18.—Ducrow advertised the representation of a Spanish bull-fight at his Norwich circus. “To prevent any misconception on the part of visitors to the arena, and at the same time to add to the surprising nature of the performance, ladies and others are informed that the bull is impersonated by one of Mr. Ducrow’s horses, tutored by him for the purpose, enveloped in an elastic skin, and so managed as to deceive even the keenest eye.”
22.—Died at Guanajuato, Mexico, Lieutenant John Thomas Borrow, of the West Norfolk Militia, eldest son of Captain Borrow, of Norwich.
28.—Mr. George Long, Municipal Commissioner, held an inquiry into the affairs of the Corporation of Castle Rising. Mr. F. Lane, of Lynn, the Recorder, stated that he had no charter nor papers of any kind to produce. The Corporation consisted of a Recorder, Mayor, one alderman, and a serjeant-at-mace. The Mayor and alderman served in turn the office of Chief Magistrate. There were about 50 burgage tenants, and the Corporation property was about £20 a year, arising from land, and with the money the Mayor gave each year two dinners to the leet. The Corporation had no debts, no prison, and but one offence had been committed in the borough for a number of years.
DECEMBER.
23.—Two leaden cases were dug up from a piece of ground at the east end of Wymondham church. One measured 6 ft 2 in. in length, and contained the mummified remains of an adult female; the other, 16¼ inches in length, a foetus of about the fourth month. The examination of the remains was conducted in the church on December 27th, by Mr. John Dalrymple, of Norwich, in the presence of sixty scientific and medical men. “As the mummies were taken from the site of the original choir, the female was most probably nearly allied to the founder of the abbey, William De Abbay or Daubeny, who died in the year 1156.”
24.—An altar piece, copied from Rubens’ “Descent from the Cross,” and about one-fourth the size of the original picture, presented to St Peter’s church, Yarmouth, by Col. Mason, was on this day placed in position under the personal superintendence of the donor.
1834.
JANUARY.
3.—The question of the restoration of the south and west faces of the keep of Norwich Castle was discussed at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, and referred to the visiting justices, who recommended that it be undertaken; and on May 17th the tender of Mr. Watson was accepted and the work ordered to be proceeded with at once. On July 28th a public meeting was held at the Guildhall, “to take into consideration the expediency of instituting an inquiry into the necessity for covering up the face of such an antient relic with new building,” and a resolution moved by Mr. Samuel Bignold, and seconded by Mr. Stevenson, expressing regret at the “demolition,” and suggesting that an antiquary and architect be consulted before it was further proceeded with, was unanimously adopted. A deputation was also appointed to wait upon the Gaol Committee. At a meeting of the county magistrates, on October 17th, it was decided to employ Mr. Blore, a well-known architect and antiquary, “to survey and report upon the present state of the Castle, and the best mode of proceeding with the repairs.” Mr. Blore reported on November 10th that the masonry was in a very bad state; that the then face of the building was not altogether original, but that the repairs and restorations it had undergone at various periods had been closely assimilated with the original work. He recommended that what was needed to be done should be judiciously incorporated with the ancient work. It was finally decided, on January 9th, 1835, that the visiting justices be authorised to continue the work as originally intended, and that they be empowered to consult Mr. Blore or any other architect they might think proper to employ.
9.—At a meeting of the Norwich Corporation, a resolution was passed protesting against any report that might be made by the Municipal Commissioners respecting the Corporation, “based on statements so utterly unfit to justify Parliament in legislating on so important a subject,” and inviting the various Corporations throughout the kingdom “to make common cause with them in endeavouring to defeat any design that might be in contemplation for wresting from them their antient charters, franchises, and liberties.”
12.—The organ of Norwich Cathedral was re-opened by Mr. Buck, after its thorough reparation by Bishop, of Lisson Grove, London. The sermon on the occasion was preached by the Right Hon. and Rev. Lord Bayning. The instrument was the original work of Father Schmidt.
21.—The first of the Choral Concerts inaugurated “for the purpose of obtaining a reserve fund for the support of the choral band at the Musical Festival and for maintaining and keeping together the great body of musical talent existing in the locality,” was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.
25.—During a performance by a company of comedians at Cley-next-the-Sea, a pistol was fired, and the ramrod, which had been left in the barrel, entered the side of an actor named Leary, who was badly injured.
27.—Mr. Frederick Vining, of Covent Garden and the Haymarket Theatres, commenced a short engagement at Norwich Theatre, where he was formerly a favourite actor. His impersonations included Young Rapid (“A Cure for the Heartache”), Martin Heywood (“The Rent-day”), Sidney Maynard (“The Housekeeper”), Templeton (“Deaf as a Post”), Frank Bramble (“The Poor Gentleman”), and Harry Villars (“Open House”).
FEBRUARY.
6.—Mr. Thomas Jefferson Hogg and Mr. John Buckle, Municipal Commissioners, opened an inquiry at the Tolhouse Hall into the corporate affairs of Yarmouth. After sitting for 20 days the Commissioners adjourned sine die.
14.—A fête was given at Yarmouth Barracks by Captain Manby, “to mark the close of the labours that had so long engaged his attention for saving life.” This was the twenty-seventh anniversary of “the saving of the first crew by the projection of a rope from the shore by the force of gunpowder, and thus effecting communication with a vessel on a lee shore. By this expedient upwards of 600 British sailors have been saved.”
26.—Died at Lynn, Mr. Ezekiel Walker, aged 94. He was for many years a regular contributor to Nicholson and Tillock’s “Philosophical Magazine,” and published a collection of his essays, chiefly on electrochemical subjects.
27.—The ceremony of laying the first stone of the new Yarn Factory at Norwich was performed by the Mayor (Mr. Bignold). A procession, in which were characters representing Bishop Blaize, shepherds and shepherdesses, together with 80 wool combers, and many women and children, marched from Lakenham to the site of the new building in St. Edmund’s. The directors and shareholders afterwards dined at the Norfolk Hotel.
MARCH.
11.—The lake at Scottow was drawn by Sir Henry Durrant, when five pike of large size were captured. The finest measured 4 ft. in length, 2 ft 3 in. in girth, and weighed 37 lbs.; the smallest was 3 ft 4 in. long, 20½ inches in girth, and weighed 18½ lbs. They were all taken at one haul.
—Resolutions in favour of the repeal of the Malt Tax were passed at a large meeting of the owners and occupiers of land in the Hundred of South Erpingham, held at the Black Boys Inn, Aylsham, under the presidency of Mr. Robert Marsham. Similar meetings were held throughout the county, and petitions were numerously signed in every Hundred.
22.—Miss Kelly appeared at Norwich Theatre in her entertainments, “Dramatic Recollections,” “A Study of Character,” and “Mrs. Parthian at Home.”
APRIL.
12.—William Thirkettle, 27; William Pye, 32; and Gilpin Reynolds, 24, were executed on Castle Hill, Norwich, the first-named for the attempted murder of his wife, and the others for arson.
14.—The two troops of the King’s Own Light Dragoons marched from Norwich for Hampton Court and Kensington Barracks.
25.—The Yarmouth Port and Haven Bill was considered by the House of Commons’ Committee, presided over by Mr. William Windham. On the 28th the petitioners announced the abandonment of the Bill.
30.—The Bishop of Rochester, officiating for the Bishop of Norwich (who was then in his 90th year), confirmed 1,700 persons at North Walsham. On subsequent days 1,000 were confirmed at Holt, and 1,050 at Diss.
—Fifty-four convicts, sentenced at the County Assizes and Sessions to transportation, were taken on board the Sarah (Capt. Moore), lying in Norwich river. “The hatchways were closed at twenty minutes after two in the morning, and this London trader sailed immediately for Lowestoft, which harbour was reached about eleven o’clock; in three hours the vessel was out of sight and on her way to Portsmouth. Their being sent off by sea (through the Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation) instead of by land conveyance will be a very considerable saving of expense to the county of Norfolk.”
MAY.
1.—Mr. Charles Turner and Mr. William Moore were returned to the Court of Aldermen, who elected the former as Mayor of Norwich for the year ensuing.
—May Day was celebrated at Lynn with the usual display of garlands and devices emblematical of the season, by persons arrayed in fancy costumes.
5.—Two troops of the 2nd Queen’s Dragoon Guards, under the command of Major Kearney, marched into Norwich Barracks from Nottingham, to relieve the 3rd Dragoons, who, on the same day, marched for Ipswich.
8.—The leading postmasters of Norwich announced that they had reduced the rate of posting to 1s. 4d. per mile.
13.—A petition to Parliament against the proposed measure for separating religious instruction from the system of education hitherto prevailing at the Universities was unanimously adopted at a meeting summoned by requisition and held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Bignold).
16.—The dwelling-house, outbuildings, and corn stacks of Mr. Helsden Larner, at North Walsham, were destroyed by fire. A labourer named Jeremiah Cutting was buried beneath the falling roof of the stable and burned to death.
21.—The West Norfolk Agricultural Association held its first annual meeting at Downham Market. A second division of the society was formed at Fakenham on June 19th.
26.—A new drama, entitled, “Sir Roger de Coverley, or the Old English Gentleman,” written by Mr. G. Smith, second son of the manager, was produced for the first time at Norwich Theatre. It was described as “a composition which exhibited talent of no common order.”
28.—The King’s birthday was observed in Norwich with great festivity. The first business at the special Assembly of the Corporation was to pass an address of congratulation to his Majesty, “praying him not to sanction the proposed measure for admitting Dissenters to graduate in the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge.” The Mayor and Corporation then went to service at the Cathedral, and at noon the Queen’s Bays fired a feu de joie in the Market Place. The officers were entertained at the Guildhall, the sum of £5 was distributed among the privates, and in the evening the Mayor (Mr. Bignold) gave a dinner at Chapel Field House.
29.—Died at Hingham, aged 93, the Right Hon. Lord Wodehouse. He was elevated from a baronetcy to a seat in the House of Lords in 1797, after having represented the county for many years. His lordship was succeeded in his title and estates by Col. Wodehouse, Lord Lieutenant of the county. The remains of the deceased nobleman were buried at Kimberley with great pomp on June 9th.
31.—At the close of the Norwich theatrical season, Mr. George Smith delivered an address, in which he lamented that “theatrical taste had of late years declined in the city, either from commercial depression or from the still more fatal growth of indifference.”
JUNE.
13.—Died at Southampton, aged 65, Rear-Admiral Manby, of Northwold. He was one of the companions of Captain Vancouver, in his voyage round the world; was actively employed in conveying troops to Ireland at the time of the Rebellion; and during the war with France commanded the Bourdelais, Thalia, and Africaine frigates on various important services. Admiral Manby was a native of Norfolk.
17.—Guild Day was observed in Norwich. “When the civic procession arrived at the west door of the Cathedral, the nine knocks were given according to immemorial usage, and the Corporation passed in regular order through the rush-strewn nave.” The Latin oration at the porch of the Free Grammar School was delivered by Fred Norgate, youngest son of Mr. T. S. Norgate, of Hethersett; Mr. Charles Turner was sworn in as Mayor at the Guildhall, and entertained 800 guests at the Guild feast held at St. Andrew’s Hall. The festivities concluded with a ball at the Assembly Rooms.
18.—The great cricket match, Yorkshire v. Norfolk, for 100 gs. a side, commenced on the Norwich ground, and was continued on the 19th. Among the players were Marsden, Dearman, and the three Pilches. Norfolk: 1st innings, 216 (Fuller Pilch 87); 2nd innings, 91. Yorkshire: 1st innings, 37; 2nd innings, 97. The return match was commenced on Hyde Park Ground, Sheffield, on July 21st, when Yorkshire won by 123 runs. Yorkshire: 1st innings, 191; 2nd innings, 296. Norfolk: 1st innings, 75; 2nd innings, 289. Norfolk abandoned the match in consequence of the rain. “Many thought that with three bats to go in and Fuller Pilch still standing, the game might have been won had there been the means of playing it out.”
21.—A severe thunderstorm occurred. Many cattle were killed by lightning, and the tower of Redenhall church sustained considerable damage.
27.—Died at Yarmouth, aged 92, Mrs. Hannah Diboll, “the celebrated twisterer, who had been accustomed from childhood to rise every morning at four o’clock, and persevered in the practice till within two or three years of her death.”
JULY.
12.—The public gaslamps in Norwich at this date numbered 423, and the lighting of the city cost upwards of £2,000 per annum.
18.—Mr. Richard Hanbury Gurney, formerly one of the Parliamentary representatives of Norwich, was presented with a massive silver candelabrum, purchased with the subscriptions of 1,250 citizens, chiefly of the working classes, “in testimony of their regard for his universal benevolence and sincerity in upholding the just rights of mankind, and of their admiration of his inflexible advocacy in the Senate to obtain for his country a salutary reform in the House of Commons.”
19.*—“Died, a few days since, in his 62nd year, Mr. Philip Mallet Case, of Testerton House. On Sunday, July 13th, his remains were deposited in the family vault at Dunton. The procession from Testerton to the place of interment was respectably and numerously attended, and it is computed that there were no less than 3,000 persons present.”
26.—Died in Clarges Street, London, aged 30, Lord James Henry FitzRoy, youngest son of the Duke of Grafton. His lordship was a captain in the 10th Hussars, and had represented Thetford since 1831.
—*“One of the attractions at Norwich Theatre during the Assize week was the unique and wonderful invention patented and exhibited by Mr. H. Childe, called Dissolvent Views.”
26.*—“Died, last week, in the 105th year of her age, Mary Wratham, widow, Downham Market.”
27.—Died at Litcham, Captain Thomas Edward Hoste, R.N., aged 40. He was fifth son of the Rev. Dixon Hoste, rector of Tittleshall and Godwick, and commenced his career at the age of 13, on the Amphion, commanded by his distinguished brother, Sir William Hoste. In 1809 he joined the Spartan frigate, served in the Mediterranean, Ireland, and South America, was promoted Commander in 1825, and was for a short time employed in coastguard service.
31.—The great doors at the west entrance to Norwich Cathedral were taken down for restoration and repair. “They had maintained their honourable station upwards of 400 years, and had received nine times that number of knocks on the Guild Day for the admission of the Corporation to Divine service.”
AUGUST.
1.—The termination of slavery in the British possessions on this day was celebrated by a “Negro Jubilee” fête, given at Sheringham by Mrs. Upcher and her family, and by special services at the churches and chapels in Norwich.
8.—The Earl of Euston was elected, unopposed, representative of the borough of Thetford, in succession to Lord James FitzRoy, deceased.
—A case of great importance was tried by a special jury in the Sheriff’s Court at Norwich. John Burrows, a butcher, had refused to pay the stallage charged by the Corporation for his meat stall in the Market Place, on the ground that the patent of his freedom exempted him from such charges. The Corporation, in an action against him, recovered the charges, which amounted to 16s. 4d., and defendant had suffered judgment to go by default. The special jury now found for the full amount claimed. Defendant resisted payment, and in the second week of September was arrested by virtue of a special writ, taken to London, and by Mr. Baron Alderson was committed to the Fleet Prison. At a quarterly assembly of the Corporation, on Sept. 22nd, Mr. William Wilde moved that it be an instruction to the Market Committee not to collect stallage in future from freemen selling provisions. Burrows had acted on the advice of the Municipal Commissioners in this matter, and these proceedings would probably be his ruin. The motion was negatived by 19 votes to 9.
9.*—“Workmen excavating at the lower part of the west side of Exchange Street have found a number of human skulls and bones. This was the site of the church of St. Crowche or St. Cross, and the public-house by the name of the Hole-in-the-Wall was built upon it. The church was demolished on October 14th, 1551, and the parish consolidated with St. John Maddermarket.”
18.—A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, at which Mr. Gibbs, C.E., explained the facilities and advantages of a projected railroad from London to Dunmow, and thence to Norwich, with a branch to Cambridge, and an ultimate extension to the North of England. The length of line from Whitechapel to Norwich would be 97 miles; the cost of construction and compensation for land £1,000,000, and of machinery, depots, &c., £600,000. On the motion of Mr. Samuel Bignold, a provisional committee was formed for the purpose of promoting the object. On August 30th notice was given that application would be made in the next Session of Parliament for the construction of “the grand Eastern Counties Railway” from London to Norwich and Yarmouth, via Romford, Chelmsford, Colchester, Ipswich, and Eye, at the estimated cost of £1,500,000, to be raised in 30,000 shares of £50 each. A meeting was held at the Guildhall on Sept. 13th, for the purpose of considering the expediency of forming a railway from London to Norwich via Bishop’s Stortford, Cambridge, and Bury, to join the trunk of the Grand Northern Railway from London to York, Leeds, and Hull. Mr. William Cundy, C.E., described the plans, stating that in less than 18 months the railway from London to Norwich would be completed; and said that the estimated cost was £1,600,000. A local committee was appointed to enquire into the merits of the respective schemes. A public meeting of the county gentry and representatives of the agricultural and commercial interests was held at the Guildhall on October 16th, at which the committee reported that the line proposed by Mr. Gibbs was best entitled to the support of the city and county.
26.—Mr. John Marshall was elected freemen’s Sheriff at Norwich by 817 votes, as against 585 recorded for Mr. John Culley.
31.—A terrible panic took place at St. Margaret’s church, Lynn, owing to the failure of the gas. A rush was made for the doors, and a lad who fell from the organ loft received dreadful injuries.
SEPTEMBER.
6.—Died, aged 85, Mrs. Bray, wife of Mr. Thomas Bray, “proprietor of the Diss and Norwich waggons to Ipswich, which have regularly travelled from the Star in the Market Place, Diss, to the Star in the Market Place, Norwich, under the name of Bray, for more than a century and a half.”
10.—Died, aged 77, Mr. Edmund Reeve, of St. Augustine’s, Norwich. He served the office of Sheriff in 1796.
15.—On the Abbey Farm, Thetford, Sir Richard Sutton, Bart., in the presence of a large gathering of sportsmen, killed in seven hours 222 head of partridges, in 246 shots.
OCTOBER.
6.—At the Guildhall, Norwich, John Cozens, merchant, and Joseph Colman, solicitor, were summoned by George Arthur Dye for endeavouring, by threatening to prosecute an action in the Court of King’s Bench, for supposed acts of bribery alleged to have been committed by the complainant, to extort from him a large sum of money, viz., the sum which he (Cozens) had expended in petitioning the House of Commons against the return of Lord Viscount Stormont and Sir James Scarlett, as members of Parliament for Norwich. The defendants were committed for trial, and at the adjourned Quarter Sessions for the city, on October 28th, a true bill was found against them. They entered into recognisances to appear at the Lent Assizes, which were held in March, 1835, before Mr. Baron Vaughan, when the case was settled without proceeding to trial.
9.—The Hall Concert Room, St. George’s Bridge Street, Norwich, was sold by auction. It was afterwards converted into a carpenter’s workshop. “The Hall Concert Society, after existing for upwards of half a century, has been dissolved. Without the assistance of this amateur musical society, the Norwich Musical Festival, and its most prominent feature, the chorus, would never have been called into existence.”
11.*—“Died, lately, at Swainsthorpe, aged 75, Robert Utting, commonly called ‘Blind Bob.’ He could find any place to which he was sent in Norwich, and was for more than 50 years postman from that city to Swainsthorpe.”
27.—The Pilot coach was on its journey from Norwich to Lowestoft, with eight outside and two inside passengers, when the leader of the unicorn team became restive, on Bracondale Hill, and turning sharply into Martineau’s Lane, overturned the vehicle. Mr. Benson Rathbone, of Geldeston, one of the passengers, sustained a fracture of the skull, from which he died an hour afterwards, at the Pine Apple public-house, at Trowse. Several other passengers were injured.
NOVEMBER.
4.—The members of the Orange and Purple Club (president, Mr. W. J. Utten Browne), at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, presented a piece of silver plate to Mr. A. A. H. Beckwith, in recognition of his important services to the Conservative cause.
19.—At the Guildhall, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Bignold was presented with a silver candelabrum, valued at £200, “to perpetuate the remembrance of his ability and independence as a magistrate, his munificent hospitality, and his important public services.”
—The Hon. W. H. Beresford and Mr. W. M. Praed were adopted Conservative candidates at Yarmouth. Mr. Beresford afterwards withdrew in favour of Mr. Thomas Baring.
26.—The annual meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum was held for the first time “in the new building in Exchange Street,” which was informally opened on that occasion.
29.—The Rev. A. Sedgwick, M.A., F.R.S., Woodwardian Professor in the University of Cambridge, was installed a Prebendary of Norwich Cathedral.
DECEMBER.
2.—A meeting of Nonconformists was held at Edwards’ Room, Orford Hill, Norwich, in defence of their civil and religious liberty. Alarm was expressed at the dismissal of Lord Melbourne and his colleagues from office, and at the management of the affairs of State “being consigned to individuals who had proved themselves the enemies of Reform and of the claims of Protestant Dissenters.” The Hon. Edward Vernon Harbord was requested to become a candidate for the representation of Norwich.
5.—Died at his house in St. Giles’, Mr. William Simpson, Town Clerk of Norwich and Treasurer of the County.
8.—Died at Carlton Hall, Mr. Thomas Marsham. “He commenced farming with slender means, and notwithstanding his liberality to the labourers on his estate, and his hospitality to his brother farmers, he accumulated a property of near £30,000.”
13.*—“Died, last week, Mr. Richard Mingay, well known in Norwich as a violin player. He was a man of many and very versatile talents, which, among other modes, have been displayed upon the stage in the character of Crack, in ‘The Turnpike Gate,’ which he performed with great humour.”
15.—At a special assembly of the Common Council, Mr. Beckwith, City Chamberlain, was elected Town Clerk of Norwich; Mr. Skipper, Speaker of the Common Council, was appointed City Chamberlain; and Mr. James Winter was elected Speaker.
17.—The Orange and Purple Club entertained 768 Conservative voters at dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. It was announced by the Mayor that Sir James Scarlett, M.P., had been appointed Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. Lord Stormont and Mr. Robert Campbell Scarlett, the prospective candidates for the city, were received with great enthusiasm. On the 18th dinner was served to 1,004 Conservative electors. Mr. W. J. Utten Browne presided on both occasions.
20.—Mr. Richard Hanbury Gurney and Mr. W. Windham were announced to be the “Blue and White” candidates for East Norfolk. The former gentleman addressed the merchants at the Norwich Corn Exchange. Lord Stormont and Mr. Scarlett also spoke, and were attacked by a disorderly crowd. Mr. Gurney went to the assistance of his lordship. On the 22nd Mr. Edward Butcher was ordered by the magistrates to find sureties for having taken part in the disturbance. At a subsequent meeting of the Orange and Purple Club, Lord Stormont acknowledged the “honourable conduct” of Mr. Gurney.
24.—Died at Cork, Major-General Sir Robert Travers, elder brother of Sir Eaton Travers, of Ditchingham Lodge, and of Major Travers, of Hedenham Hall. He was riding in Patrick Street, Cork, when his horse was frightened by the band of Wombwell’s Menagerie. The general was thrown, and received fatal injuries.
27.—The Hon. E. V. Harbord and Mr. Frank Offley Martin were adopted Liberal candidates for the representation of Norwich.
1835.
JANUARY.
5.—Yarmouth Election—T. Baring (C), 777; W. M. Praed (C), 768 (elected). Hon. Col. Anson (L), 680; C. E. Rumbold (L), 675.
6.—Norwich Election—Lord Viscount Stormont and the Hon. Robert Campbell Scarlett, Conservatives; the Hon. E. Vernon Harbord and Mr. Francis Offley Martin, Liberals, were nominated, and polling commenced on the same date. The books remained open until 5.30 p.m. on the 7th, when the result was declared as follows:—Stormont, 1,892; Scarlett, 1,878 (elected). Harbord, 1,592; Martin, 1,585.
7.—Lynn Election—The polling commenced on this date, and concluded on the 8th. Lord George Bentinck, 531; Sir Stratford Canning, 416 (elected); Sir John S. Lillie, 238.
12.—The nomination of candidates for the representation of West Norfolk took place at Swaffham. Mr. William Bagge, the Conservative candidate, was escorted to the town by a procession, headed by the hunting establishment of Mr. Henry Villebois. Sir William ffolkes and Sir Jacob Astley were accompanied by Mr. T. W. Coke and numerous supporters. A dispute arose between Lord Charles Townshend and Sir Jacob Astley, who were ordered by the justices to enter into their recognisances to keep the peace towards each other. The polling commenced on January 15th, at Swaffham, Downham, Fakenham, Lynn, Thetford, and East Dereham, and closed on the 16th. The poll was declared on the 19th.—ffolkes, 2,299; Astley, 2,134; Bagge, 1,880. The two first-named were elected.
17.—The nomination of candidates for the East Norfolk Division took place at Norwich. Lord Walpole and Mr. Wodehouse, Conservatives, entered the city by St. Giles’ Gates, escorted by between three hundred and four hundred horsemen; Mr. W. Windham and Mr. R. H. Gurney (Liberals) rode at the head of 196 mounted supporters. The polling commenced on the 20th, at Norwich, Yarmouth, Long Stratton, and Reepham, and concluded on the 21st. The poll was declared on the 23rd, as follows:—Walpole, 3,188; Wodehouse, 3,474; Windham, 3,089; Gurney, 2,879. The two first-named were elected.
—At the Norwich Court of Mayoralty, Mr. Alderman Bignold read a letter from the Right Hon. Lord Abinger, Baron of Abinger in the county of Surrey and of the city of Norwich, intimating his lordship’s desire that the Mayor and Corporation would permit him to take as the supporters of his arms the supporters of the arms of the city. The Court unanimously granted the request. It was also announced that his lordship had appointed as his chaplain the Rev. Charles Turner, son of the Mayor.
27.—The supporters of Messrs. Harbord and Martin, to the number of 900, were entertained at dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall by leading persons of the Liberal party. On the 28th 1,000 were similarly entertained. Mr. W. Foster presided on both occasions, and on the second day Mr. Martin delivered a speech of two hours’ duration.
FEBRUARY.
7.—A “moveable panorama” of the Liverpool and Manchester Railway, painted by Mr. Thorne, was exhibited at the Theatre Royal, Norwich.
19.—Married, Mr. J. V. Jermay, of Wroxham, to Mrs. Sarah Landimore, of the same place. “The above-named female has been twice married, having entered the matrimonial state at the age of 14. She became a widow at 15, and is now a wife again at 17.”
23.—Died, at New Lakenham, aged 66, Mr. William Cole, the author of “Rural Months,” and other poems.
24.—The Corporation of Norwich voted the honorary freedom of the city to the Hon. Robert Campbell Scarlett, M.P.
—A committee was appointed by the Corporation of Norwich to prepare a memorial to the Postmaster-General, for an acceleration of the mail coach service. A letter was received from Lord Stormont, M.P., on March 27th, stating that the Postmaster-General had made the following arrangements: the Norwich and Yarmouth letters to go by the Ipswich mail instead of by the Newmarket coach, the Ipswich mail to arrive at Norwich at 7.30 a.m., and to leave Norwich at 7 p.m.
28.—Died at his residence in Portman Square, London, aged 78, the Right Hon. and Rev. Earl Nelson, Duke of Bronte, “brother of the hero of Trafalgar.” The title and estates descended to Mr. Thomas Bolton, jun., son of Susannah Nelson, sister of the first two Earls, and of Thomas Bolton, who was born in 1786, and married, in 1821, Elizabeth, daughter and sole heir of John Maurice.
MARCH.
14.*—“At Didlington Hall, the only place in England at which the antient amusement of flying hawks at herons is practised, it has been customary to turn off the birds taken alive, with a ring attached to one leg, showing the time and place at which they were captured. In a late Bristol paper there is an account of a heron having been shot near Carmarthen with a ring round one leg having the inscription: ‘Major Wilson, Didlington Hall, Norfolk, 1822.’”
APRIL.
3.—Lord Chief Baron Abinger, one of the Judges of Assize at Norwich, was waited upon at the Judges’ lodgings, in Bethel Street, by the Mayor and Corporation, and presented with an address, on this his first visit to the city in a judicial capacity.
4.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Vaughan, Johnstone Wardell, aged 23, a bank clerk, was charged with embezzling the sum of £1,431 18s. 7d. belonging to the Governor and Company of the Bank of England. Mr. Kelly was retained for the defence at the fee of 100 gs., and, after a trial lasting ten hours, the jury acquitted the prisoner. The defence was that the accused had been knocked down and robbed of the money on the Castle Ditches. A few months afterwards he confessed his guilt and refunded the full amount.
7.—Three hundred emigrants left Yarmouth Quay by the Baltic (Captain Newson), Venus (Captain Simmons), and Wellington (Captain Gilham), for Quebec. The Shannon sailed from Lynn for Quebec on April 16th, with 90 emigrants.
18.—James Clarke, aged 20, was executed on Castle Hill, Norwich, for setting fire to a wheat stack at Buxton. “The most singular feature attending the execution was that an old man named Wyer, a person well known for his eccentricities, declared on the Hill that he would take the sufferer’s place for five shillings. The man made good his word, went home and hanged himself.”
20.—Mr. Macready commenced a four nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre in the part of Macbeth. His other impersonations included Hamlet, Virginius, Werner, and Puff (“The Critic”). On the 23rd an outrage was committed by a person who “threw a chemical substance capable of ignition, in different parts of the building.” A reward of 20 gs. was offered for the apprehension of the offender.
25.—The West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital, designed by Mr. Angel and built by Mr. Sugars, was opened for the reception of patients.
—A troop of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons arrived at Norwich Barracks, and were followed by two other troops of the same regiment, from Sheffield and Nottingham.
MAY.
1.—Mr. Moore and Mr. Steward were returned to the Norwich Court of Aldermen for election as Mayor. The first-named was chosen.
4.—The 2nd Dragoon Guards marched from Norwich Barracks, on their way to Liverpool, for embarcation for Dublin. The Mayor and Corporation testified to the excellent conduct of the regiment, and expressed regret at their departure.
—The Norwich Corporation agreed not to dispose of the old City Gaol without reserving a portion of the site for the purposes of the Norwich Public Library. On September 21st a lease was granted of part of the site (70 ft. by 70 ft.) to the trustees of the Library for the term of 99 years, at the annual rent of £1, “for the erection of a library room or other building connected therewith.” At a special meeting of the subscribers, on October 29th, the contract of Messrs. Darkins and Blake for the erection of the new building, at the total cost of £1,820, was confirmed, and it was decided to raise the amount in shares of £5 each.
—The honorary freedom of the city was voted by the Corporation of Norwich to Lord Walpole, M.P., and Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, M.P. Both gentlemen were sworn in on May 8th.
5.—Died of dysentery at Calcutta, aged 70, Mr. Thomas Hoseason, formerly of Banklands, near Lynn.
6.—Died, aged 69, at Furnival’s Inn, Mr. Linley, “son of the writer of the music in ‘The Duenna,’ and brother of the first Mrs. Sheridan and of the Rev. O. T. Linley, formerly of Norwich Cathedral. He was a good composer and excellent judge of music.”
8.—A dinner, attended by 650 guests, was given at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, to celebrate the establishment at the Rampant Horse Inn of the East Norfolk Conservative Association. The Earl of Orford presided. Prior to the dinner the members of the association proceeded to the Guildhall, to witness the swearing in of Lord Walpole and Mr. Wodehouse as hon. freemen of Norwich.
9.—Died, aged 66, Mr. William Blanchard, “the celebrated comedian, formerly of the Norwich Company.”
11.—Mr. Butler, of Covent Garden, appeared at Norwich Theatre in the part of Hamlet. He performed on subsequent evenings the parts of Coriolanus and David Duvigne (“The Hazard of the Die”).
18.—The Bill for renewing the Yarmouth Port and Haven Act, which would otherwise have expired in 1836, went into Committee in the House of Commons, and was finally agreed to by all parties.
25.—Died in Norwich, aged 67, Mr. George Lindley, author of the “Guide to the Orchard and Kitchen Garden, “ &c., and father of Dr. Lindley, Professor of Botany at the Royal Institution and the University of London.
26.—Died at his house in Magdalen Street, Norwich, aged 91, Mr. Barnabas Leman, who was elected Alderman in 1797, Sheriff in 1804, and twice served the office of Mayor, 1813-1818.
27.—Captain Sir Edward Parry, R.N., the celebrated navigator, made an official visit to Norwich, on his appointment as an Assistant Commissioner under the new Poor Laws Amendment Act.
29.—At the Guildhall, Norwich, John Pilgrim, described as an attorney, was charged before Mr. Samuel Bignold and Mr. E. T. Booth with embezzling the sum of £6 13s. belonging to his employers, Messrs. Sewell, Blake, Keith, and Blake, solicitors. The case was adjourned till Saturday, the 30th, and the hearing lasted till midnight. On Sunday, the 31st, the magistrates again sat, and remanded the defendant in custody. On June 1st it was stated that Mr. Parraman, Governor of the City Gaol, had handed the prisoner over to the custody of the Serjeant-at-Arms of the House of Commons, on a warrant from the Speaker. The Bench then adjourned the hearing sine die. In order to explain these proceedings, it is necessary to state the following facts:—A petition had been presented against the return of Mr. Dundas and Mr. Kelly as members for Ipswich, and the Committee of the House of Commons, in reporting the election void, passed a series of special resolutions to the effect that John Pilgrim and others were guilty of bribery and of absconding to avoid the Speaker’s warrant; that Pilgrim, having at length been served, was prevented attending the Committee by being arrested on a charge of embezzlement, and that the conduct of the magistrates before whom he was charged appeared to the Committee to be a breach of the privileges of the House. On June 29th it was moved that the committing magistrates be sent to Newgate, but instead they were ordered to attend before the House on July 3rd. That order was discharged, and the inquiry was referred to the same Select Committee that was to investigate the charges against Pilgrim’s employers. At the Norwich Assizes on August 8th, before Mr. Baron Bolland, the bill in the case of embezzlement was respited to the next court. A meeting of the Norwich Corporation was held on September 21st, at which a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Bignold and Mr. Booth “for the performance of their duty as magistrates, which led to their being summoned before the Committee of the House of Commons on the charge of alleged breach of privileges of the House,” and it was ordered that their expenses in London be defrayed by the city. (See March 29th, 1836. )
31.—Died at his house in Bedford Square, London, Mr. William Smith, formerly one of the representatives of Norwich in Parliament. Mr. Smith was first elected member for the city in 1802, and retired in 1830.
JUNE.
3.—Mr. Beacham, a favourite actor at Norwich Theatre, took his final leave of the stage after a service of more than half a century.
6.—The erection of gas works at East Dereham commenced.
10.—A new drama, entitled, “The Puritan’s Sister,” written by Mr. George Smith, was produced for the first time at Norwich Theatre.
14.—Died at Brighton, aged 72, Sir John Harrison Yallop, an alderman of Norwich. He served the office of Sheriff in 1805, and of Mayor in 1815 and 1831.
15.—Sir Edward Parry, R.N., attended a meeting of the Norwich Court of Guardians, and laid before them the views and intentions of the Poor-law Commissioners. Sir Edward also visited other unions in the district.
16.—Guild Day was celebrated in Norwich for the last time. The civic procession to the Cathedral was headed by the regalia borne by the respective officers on horseback. “Snap,” too, made his final appearance. Chambers, the senior boy at the Free Grammar School, under the Rev. Henry Banfather, delivered the Latin oration, and was presented with five guineas’ worth of books by the Mayor-elect (Mr. Moore), who made a similar present to Norgate, the orator on the preceding Guild Day. In the course of the proceedings at the Guildhall, it was decided to petition the House of Lords against the Bill to provide for the regulation of Municipal Corporations in England and Wales. Eight hundred guests attended the Guild feast at St. Andrew’s Hall, and a ball was given at the Assembly Rooms in the evening.
19.—Mr. Richard Shaw was elected an alderman of the Northern Ward, Norwich, in succession to Sir J. H. Yallop, deceased. He polled 345 votes, as against 109 recorded for his opponent, Mr. J. Winter.
26.—Petitions were presented from Yarmouth, complaining that bribery had been practised at the election of members for that borough. They were not election petitions; they did not complain of the return; and did not impute bribery to the members or their agents. But it was alleged that two guineas had been paid to many of the voters at the house of a person who had been an active partisan of the sitting members. The petitions were referred to a Committee of the House. On July 30th the Chairman of the Committee reported that Mr. Prentice, one of the witnesses, refused to answer certain questions, on the ground that the answers would incriminate himself. He was sent to Newgate on August 6th. On the same day the Chairman reported that three other witnesses, Messrs. Preston, Lacon, and Green, had refused to answer any questions at all. Mr. Preston was brought to the bar and informed by the Speaker that the House had decided he was bound to submit to be examined by the Committee without prejudice to his right to object to any questions, the answers to which might tend to criminate himself. Mr. Preston and Messrs. Lacon and Green attended the Committee. They objected to the very first question which at all tended to bear on the matter, because, they said, the answers might criminate them. The Committee agreed that the answers would have that tendency, and discharged the witnesses from further attendance. On August 11th Mr. Prentice was likewise discharged from Newgate, and on his arrival at Yarmouth, on August 14th, was welcomed by a large crowd, who escorted his carriage through the town, with a band playing. At the Norfolk Assizes, on March 31st, 1836, before Mr. Justice Parke, Messrs. Preston, Green, and Lacon were charged with the alleged acts of bribery, but each case was disposed of without one of the persons against whom the charges were preferred being required to enter upon any defence whatever.
29.—In consequence of the general recommendation of the Poor-law Commissioners that the allowances to the “surplus poor” be made in kind, instead of in money, the labourers at Great Bircham and Bircham Tofts struck work, and caused a riot, upon the ground that labourers had been imported from neighbouring villages. The houses of Mr. Ketton and Mr. Hebgin were attacked, and the Melton and Rainham troops of Yeomanry Cavalry were called out to quell the disturbance. The preventive men from the coast and the 6th Inniskillings from Norwich were also summoned. At Walsingham Quarter Sessions, on July 10th, several persons were sentenced to terms of imprisonment for participating in the riot.
JULY.
6.—The Royal Mail coach from Yarmouth (through Norwich) to Birmingham commenced running. “In equipment and management this coach is not excelled by any in the kingdom.”
—Died at Vernon House, London, from the effects of injuries received by a fall from his horse in St. James’s Park, on June 30th, the Right Hon. Lord Suffield, aged 54. The intelligence arrived at North Walsham at the time fixed for the celebration of his lordship’s birthday by a dinner at the King’s Arms Inn. The body of the deceased nobleman reached Norwich on July 15th, and remained at the Rampant Horse Inn that night. On the following day it was conveyed to Gunton, and buried in the chapel in the park.
14.—A handbill was circulated in Norwich announcing that “the Dutch Hercules, Mynheer Kousewinkeler van Raachboomstadt, professor of gymnastics and Maître des Armes to the 5th Regiment of Royal Jaagers,” would give his “celebrated series of gymnastic exercises” in Chapel Field. Some thousands of persons were hoaxed.
AUGUST.
1.—Mr. Charles Kemble made his first appearance at Norwich Theatre in the character of Julian St. Pierre (“The Wife”). During the remaining nights of his engagement he performed the parts of Benedict, Mercutio, Colonel Freelove (“The Day after the Wedding”), Octavian (“The Mountaineers”), Petruchio, and Charles Surface. He afterwards visited Yarmouth.
6.—Evidence was given before the House of Lords in opposition to the Municipal Reform Bill by Mr. E. T. Booth, Col. Harvey, Mr. Isaac Preston (Recorder), and Mr. E. Newton, of Norwich. A petition, adopted at a meeting of the freemen on July 11th, and signed by 1,600 persons of both parties, had already been presented, praying their lordships “to preserve to Norwich the privileges granted by the charters of 700 years ago.” The Bill was passed on September 9th, and on October 3rd the Norfolk Chronicle stated: “St. Michael ‘shone no festive holiday’ either at Norwich, Lynn, or Yarmouth. For many centuries until this annus mirabilis of Liberalism the Sheriffs of Norwich (from 1403), the Mayors of Lynn (from 1268) and of Yarmouth (from 1684), were sworn into office on new Michaelmas day. . . . Under the new Act the present Mayors and Sheriffs are to continue to hold their respective offices until January 1st next, and their immediate successors—one Sheriff until the first, and the Mayors until the 9th of November, on which days the elections of Sheriffs and Mayors of boroughs will in future take place.”
7.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Bolland, Frances Billing, aged 46, and Catherine Frarey, aged 40, were found guilty of the murder of Mary Taylor, of Burnham Westgate, by administering arsenic to her. They were also convicted of the murder of Robert Frarey, husband of the last-named prisoner. The execution took place on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on August 10th. Frarey was dressed in deep mourning for her husband, and wore a widow’s cap. They held each other by the hand when upon the scaffold. “The silence which had hitherto pervaded the immense concourse who stood intently gazing on this dreadful exhibition was broken by a piercing shriek when the drop fell; then all was still again.” Mrs. Billing had had eleven children, eight of whom were living at the time of the execution. Both women had been in the habit of consulting reputed witches at Burnham and Sall (See April 1st, 1836.)
14.—Died, aged 79, Mr. William Mason, of Necton. “He was accomplished in literature, and was one of the favourite scholars of the late Dr. Parr.”
22.—Died, aged 78, the Hon. George Walpole, second son of Horatio, first Earl of Orford and fourth Lord Walpole of Walpole. He commanded the troops employed in suppressing the rebellion of the Maroons in Jamaica. On his retirement from the Army he went into Parliament, and was Under-Secretary of State during the Fox Administration in 1806.
23.—Died, aged 65, Mr. Francis Stone, architect, Norwich, and for nearly 30 years Surveyor of the County of Norfolk.
25.—The last election for the office of freemen’s Sheriff took place at Norwich. Mr. Paul Squire was returned, with 829 votes. Mr. Edward Willett, his opponent, polled 437.
SEPTEMBER.
18.—At nine o’clock in the morning, Mr. Green, the aeronaut, who had ascended in his balloon from Vauxhall Gardens, London, at six o’clock in the evening of the 17th, descended between North Runcton and Hardwick, about a mile from Lynn South Gates.
22.—The Duchess of Kent and Princess Victoria, on their way from Burleigh House, Stamford, to Holkham Park, on a visit to Mr. Coke, passed through Lynn, and were received with great enthusiasm. The horses were removed from the Royal carriage, which was dragged through the town to the Duke’s Head Inn. The relay of horses having been sent towards Gaywood, the populace drew the carriage, amid most loyal demonstrations, to the eastern boundary of the town, where the horses were put to and the journey resumed. At Holkham the preventive service formed a guard of honour, and the whole of the tenantry were in attendance. On the 23rd their Royal Highnesses were presented by the inhabitants of Wells with a loyal address, to which the Duchess of Kent graciously replied. Their Royal Highnesses left Holkham on the 24th for the seat of the Duke of Grafton at Euston, and passed through Swaffham, where the race meeting was delayed in order to give the large concourse the opportunity of greeting their future Sovereign.
OCTOBER.
6.—The Young Company’s yawl Increase was launched from Yarmouth beach at one p.m., with a crew of eight hands, Budds (a pilot), and a Mr. Layton. It went to the assistance of a brig flying a signal of distress. Layton and one of the men remained on board the brig. The yawl, when returning to shore, was capsized in a squall, and seven of the crew drowned. Two, named Brock and Emmerson, swam for their lives. Emmerson sank, but Brock continued swimming until he reached Corton Bay, where he was picked up by a vessel after he had been seven hours in the water and had swum fourteen miles.
10.—The Revising Barristers (Mr. S. Gazelee and Mr. W. A. Collins) commenced an inquiry at Norwich as to the settlement of the new municipal boundaries. On the 13th they announced that they had decided to arrange the city in eight wards, based upon the relative proportions of property and population.
13.—At a convivial meeting at the Three Turks public-house, Charing Cross, Norwich, William Cork, an artisan, was singing “the well-known song written on the death of General Wolfe,” and after repeating the words, “And I to death must yield,” fell down and, to the consternation of the company, instantly expired.
23.—At a meeting held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., M.P., it was agreed that the line of railway most advantageous to Norfolk and Norwich was that proposed by Mr. James Walker, engineer, from Yarmouth to Norwich and thence to Cambridge and London. A similar opinion was expressed at meetings held at Yarmouth on October 30th and at Thetford on November 3rd.
28.—The libraries, works of art, curiosities, &c., of Captain Marryat, C.B., were sold by auction at his residence, Langham, near Holt. “Captain Marryat has broken up his establishment in Norfolk as his devotion to literature will oblige him to reside constantly in London.”
NOVEMBER.
1.—Died at his house, Buckworth, near Romsey, the Right Hon. Earl Nelson, aged 50. He was born at St. Michael-at-Plea, Norwich, and married, in 1821, Frances Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Mr. John Maurice, and was succeeded in his titles and estates by his eldest son, Horatio Bolton Nelson, Viscount Trafalgar, aged 12 years.
9.—The schooner Harriet, on her passage from St. Petersburg to Liverpool, was lost, with her crew of eight hands, off Hunstanton. “The wreckage washed ashore was immediately broken up, and part of it converted to private purposes. It is shocking to contemplate the lawless scrambling of the wreckers of this coast to obtain possession of their prey, in which they appear to be encouraged by the conduct of persons whose especial duty it is to prevent rather than to encourage the abominable plunder here carried on.”
14.—Extensive flour mills at Hardingham, occupied by Messrs. Taylor and Tingay, were destroyed by fire.
27.—Mr. Charles Turner, Deputy-Mayor of Norwich, was presented with a piece of plate by the subscribers who had placed his portrait in St. Andrew’s Hall. The portrait was painted by H. P. Briggs, R.A.
DECEMBER.
1.—Messrs. Collins and Gazelee, revising barristers, commenced at Norwich the first revision of the municipal voters’ lists.
7.—A fine male specimen of the sea eagle was shot at Hunstanton Hall. The crop and stomach contained 15 herring; the wings from tip to tip measured 7 ft. 3 in.
9.—Professor Sedgwick commenced his course of lectures on geology at the Norfolk and Norwich Museum. Upwards of 200 new subscribers added their names, in order to have the privilege of attending.
15.—Died at his uncle’s house, Lancaster Place, London, Mr. James Smith, surgeon, son of the manager of Norwich Theatre.
22.—The first general meeting of the proprietors of the East of England Bank was held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, the Mayor (Mr. W. Moore) presiding.
—Forty amateurs de bonne chère presented Mr. William Snow, “the Ude of Norwich,” with a silver gridiron, on the occasion of his 64th birthday.
24.—The new Octagon chapel at Diss was opened. Sermons were preached by the Revs. J. Alexander and J. B. Innes, of Norwich.
26.—The first elections under the new Municipal Reform Act took place at Norwich. The polling commenced at eight polling-places at nine o’clock, and closed at four o’clock, “when the Mayor went round to the different departments and received the boxes from his deputies.” The method of voting was thus described: “The voters delivered to the deputies their signed lists containing the names of the candidates for whom they gave their suffrages. A clerk entered the name of the voter and the candidates in a book, and the list was then deposited in a box by the deputy.” The election resulted in the return of the Whig-Radicals by a majority of eight.
1836.
JANUARY.
1.—The first quarterly meeting of the new City Council was held at the Guildhall, Norwich. Mr. T. O. Springfield was elected Mayor.
4.—The first act of the Yarmouth reformed Town Council was to remove from office the Earl of Orford, Lord High Steward of the borough, and to elect the Earl of Lichfield in his place. The Earl, writing from Wolterton on January 26th, informed the Mayor that the only intimation he had received of his dismissal was through the newspaper paragraph in which it was announced, and added: “The honour which your late Corporation conferred upon me was received with pride and gratitude. My dismissal by the present Corporation confers almost equal honour, upon, Sir, your obedient servant, Orford.”
13.—The Norwich Corporation voted an address to his Majesty, expressing gratitude to him for effecting the moral alterations in the state of his Empire called for by the progress of knowledge, and confidence in his Majesty’s advisers, and promising to make effectual for the general happiness, comfort, and prosperity of the citizens the new Corporation Act, under authority of which they were met together.
22.—Italian opera was produced at Norwich Theatre, under the management of Miss Leslie. The works included “Il Barbiere di Siviligia,” “La Ceverentola,” and “Il Don Giovanni.” The principal artistes were Madame Carri Paltoni, Miss M. A. Leslie, Signor De Val, Signor Paltoni, Signor Giubelli, Signora Cellini, and Signor Tryano. Mr. Schipins was conductor, and Mr. T. Jackson leader.
26.—A meeting was held at the Town Hall, Lynn, to petition Parliament to grant a Committee to enquire into the distresses of agriculture. The High Sheriff (Mr. Hudson Gurney) presided. It was represented that the price of corn and wheat was barely equal to what it was in 1793, while the taxation of the country was three times greater than at that period. The meeting agreed that the prices of agricultural produce be raised to meet existing burdens, or such burdens be lowered to meet existing prices.
FEBRUARY.
1.—Mr. Sheridan Knowles and Miss Elphinstone made their first appearance in a four nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Master Walter and Julia, in his play “The Hunchback.” They also appeared on ensuing evenings as St. Pierre and Mariana (“The Wife”), Pierre and Velerdera (“Venice Preserved”), William Tell and Emma (“William Tell”), and as Petruchio and Catherine.
7.—Died, aged 71, Mr. Richard Langton, many years librarian at the Public Library, Norwich.
17.—The north segment of North Walsham steeple was blown down. The bells fell in a mass of ruins.
17.—During a heavy gale at Yarmouth the tide overflowed many parts of the Quay, and inundated the houses. The foundations of several buildings fronting the beach were undermined by the water, and the sands presented a scene of devastation and ruin.
20.—A facing of brickwork by which the south side of the Guildhall had been disfigured for more than a century was removed and replaced by a beautiful specimen of flint work and masonry, from designs by Mr. J. Stannard, architect.
21.—Died at Ipswich, aged 64, Mrs. Cockle, daughter of Mr. Charles Roope, of Pulham Market. “She was well-known as the author of some valuable works on female education, and of literary and poetical productions.”
25.—The Northern and Eastern Railway Bill, for making a line from London to Cambridge, and thence to Norwich and Yarmouth, as planned by Mr. James Walker, was read a first time in the House of Commons. It passed the remaining stages, and was read a third time in the House of Lords on July 27th. On February 25th also the Commons Committee on the Eastern Counties Railway Bill determined that the standing orders had been complied with. This Bill was read a first time on March 10th. During that month a deputation from the London directors met the friends and supporters of the line at Norwich, Lynn, and Yarmouth; and on April 14th petitions in favour of the railway were presented in the House of Commons from Norwich by Lord Stormont, and from Yarmouth by Mr. Praed. The second reading was carried by a majority of 74. Mr. Gladstone remarked, in the course of the debate, that the petition from Norwich “had been got up by the foulest means—by means of eating and drinking. Every person who went in and put his name to the petition got a good lunch.” On May 2nd and 3rd Norwich and Norfolk witnesses gave evidence in favour of the Bill, which was read a third time on June 1st. It was announced on July 2nd that the Bill had passed through all stages in both Houses of Parliament.
MARCH.
1.—The new police went on duty for the first time at Norwich. “The 18 new policemen under the superintendence of Mr. Wright appeared for the first time on Tuesday last in an uniform dark blue dress with waterproof capes similar to those worn by the police in London.”
5.—Died at his house in King Street, aged 69, Mr. William Taylor, “a gentleman whose intellectual endowments and extraordinary range of varied acquirements had gained for his name a celebrity which, far from being confined within the walls of his native city, extended itself widely through the world of British, European, and Trans-Atlantic literature. The friend and biographer of Dr. Sayers, the associate of Dr. Southey and other distinguished characters, Mr. Taylor stood pre-eminent for his scholastic and critical knowledge of the great writers of Germany.”
12.*—“The Gas Company of this city (Norwich) have determined to reduce the price to those who consume by meter from 13s. per 1,000 cubic feet to 10s. This reduction will place Norwich in a much better situation than almost any town in the kingdom.”
22.—Five hundred children under seven years of age assembled at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and underwent the system of examination introduced by Mr. Wilderspin, the originator of infant schools. On April 7th a public meeting was held at the Guildhall, at which it was decided to establish a society to promote the extension of the infant school system in the county and city.