29.—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced with an evening performance of “Israel in Egypt.” Miscellaneous concerts were given on the evenings of October 30th and 31st and November 1st. On the morning of October 31st were given an anthem by Spohr (the first time of performance) and “Naaman” (the first time of performance in Norwich), conducted by the composer, M. Costa; on the morning of November 1st, “Saint Cecilia” (composed expressly for the Festival), a selection from the Passion Music (the first time of performance “in any country”), and the first and second parts of “The Creation”; and on the morning of November 2nd, “The Messiah.” The principal performers were Mdlle. Tietjens, Madame Rudersdorff, Miss Edith Wynne, Mdlle. Sinico, Madame De Meric Lablache, Mdlle. Anna Drasdel, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. W. H. Cummings, Signor Morini, Mr. Santley, Mr. Weiss, and Signor Gassier. Mr. Benedict conducted. The Festival concluded with a “full dress” ball on the evening of November 2nd. The total receipts amounted to £5,783 11s., and the balance in favour of the committee to £971 7s. 3d.
30.—The Prince and Princess of Wales, with her Majesty the Queen of Denmark and suite, left Sandringham, on a visit to Lord and Lady Stafford, at Costessey Park. They were accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, who had accepted the invitation of the High Sheriff (Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amhurst) to spend the Festival week in Norwich. The Royal party, who travelled by special train to East Dereham, where the Volunteers formed a guard of honour, were received by Lord Stafford and the Earl of Leicester at the station, whence they travelled by road to Costessey, and were enthusiastically greeted by a large gathering in the park. On the morning of the 31st the illustrious visitors, escorted by the 1st Norfolk Light Horse Volunteers, under Capt. Hay Gurney, proceeded to Norwich, and were received by the Mayor (Mr. W. P. Nichols), the Sheriff (Mr. W. J. Cubitt), and other civic dignitaries at the city boundary, and by members of the Corporation and Guardians and representatives of friendly societies, &c., at St. Giles’ Gates. At the Guildhall addresses were presented to the Prince and Princess and the Queen by the Corporation and by the Bishop and clergy of the diocese. The party then proceeded to St. Andrew’s Hall, to attend the Musical Festival. During the interval at the performance, the Mayor gave a luncheon in one of the rooms to the Prince and Princess, the Queen of Denmark, and their suite; and the Princess was presented by Miss C. M. Nichols, on behalf of the ladies of Norwich, with an album containing photographic views of the city, &c. Their Royal Highnesses then drove to Chapel Field and planted two trees, in commemoration of their visit, and the day’s proceedings ended with the opening, by the Prince of Wales, of the new Volunteer Drill Hall, the first stone of which was laid a few months previously by Mrs. Nichols, who was presented with a silver trowel designed for the occasion. A ball, preceded by a dinner, was given at Costessey in the evening. At the dinner the party comprised only the Prince and Princess, the Queen of Denmark, Lord and Lady Stafford, and Mr. and Mrs. Nichols. On November 1st the Royal party passed through Norwich, escorted by a squadron of the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards (from Colchester), on their way to Thorpe Station, whence they departed for Sandringham. The city was lavishly decorated in honour of the Royal visit, and on the night of the 30th there were illuminations and fireworks. The Duke of Edinburgh stayed with the High Sheriff at Mr. Firth’s house in St. Giles’ Street, where a distinguished company was invited to meet his Royal Highness.
NOVEMBER.
5.—A remarkable outrage was perpetrated at Little Walsingham church. A few minutes after the clerk had tolled the “curfew” bell, a violent explosion took place in the south transept. It was found that a charge of gunpowder had been placed beneath the organ and ignited by a train of cotton. The instrument, with the exception of the swell organ, was scattered to pieces, the south transept window entirely destroyed, and other windows seriously damaged. The organ was purchased in 1862, at the cost of £250, and the total amount of damage done by the explosion was about £300. A reward of £200 was offered for information that would lead to the conviction of the perpetrator of the outrage.
9.—Mr. Frederick Elwin Watson was elected Mayor, and Mr. William Copeman Clabburn appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
16.—Eight vessels were wrecked and five lives lost, on the Norfolk coast, between Mundesley and Palling.
17.—A Bohemian waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus) was observed at Old Buckenham, and another was shot the same day near Thetford. By the first week of December the birdstuffers received at least 22 specimens, from Mutford, Worstead, Northrepps, St. Faith’s, Rollesby, Cawston Woodrow, Wroxham, and other districts. In the last week of December it was stated that more than one hundred specimens had been procured. “With the exception of one or two stragglers, this species has not been noticed here since 1863, when some sixteen specimens were killed in Norfolk.”
DECEMBER.
3.—A storm of terrific violence occurred off Yarmouth, and several ships were lost and men drowned. A new gas-holder of 100,000 cubic feet capacity, surrounded by massive iron columns, was blown over at Yarmouth Gas Works, and considerably damaged.
4.—The Rev. Edward Meyrick Goulburn, D.D., incumbent of St. John’s, Paddington, was installed Dean of Norwich by the Rev. Canon Heaviside, in the absence of the Bishop of Norwich.
10.—The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Duke of Edinburgh arrived, by rail, at Diss, whence the Prince and Princess proceeded to Oakley Park, on a visit to Sir E. C. Kerrison, Bart., M.P., and Lady Caroline Kerrison; and the Duke to Thornham Hall, on a visit to Baron and Lady Hartismere. Their Royal Highnesses returned to Sandringham on the 13th.
—An extraordinary charge was preferred before the Walsingham magistrates, against Mr. Miles Brown, a large farmer, of Houghton St. Giles, and his brother, Mr. William Brown. It was alleged that they had exhibited in the window of a cottage in High Street, Walsingham, “an apparatus revolving before a light, and exhibiting in a glass behind an upright coffin, on the lid of which was a photograph of the Rev. Septimus Henry Lee Warner, such public exhibition being a threat on the part of the defendants to take away the life of the said complainant.” The defendants were bound over in the sum of £1,600 to keep the peace.
15.*—“The old lighthouse at Cromer, which had for so many years been a conspicuous object on the edge of the lofty hill, toppled over the other day, and was immediately buried by a great fall from the cliff, which followed it. It was first erected in the year 1719, and was lit by a coal fire until oil lamps with powerful reflectors were introduced.”
17.—The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Norwich, en route to Gunton Park. Before proceeding on his journey, his Royal Highness visited the Cathedral.
25.—Died at East Dereham, aged 65, Mr. William Drake, many years Conservative registration agent for West Norfolk.
26.—The pantomime at Norwich Theatre, written by Mr. R. Soutar, was founded upon the story of the intrigue of Henry II. and Fair Rosamond.
31.—A heavy fall of snow occurred, and the roads in many parts of the county were rendered impassable.
—The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester. “So considerable was the destruction of hares, rabbits, pheasants, &c., during the Royal visit that on one day 2 tons 19 cwt. of game were forwarded from Wells Station to Leadenhall Market.” The Prince, with the Duke of Edinburgh, who was also a guest of the Earl and Countess, left on January 10th, 1867, for Marham House, on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Villebois.
1867.
JANUARY.
6.—During a severe storm off Yarmouth, the brigs Ark, of Sunderland, and Sarah, of the same port, had a collision in the Roads, and were lost, with their crews of sixteen hands.
7.—The actions arising out of the Middle Level inundations now took the form of an arbitration. The arbitrators were laymen, appointed by both parties, with a legal umpire, and their investigation of the merits of the case or cases commenced on this date, at the Incorporated Law Society’s house, Chancery Lane, London. The proceedings were protracted. In the first week of March several of the claimants, among them Mr. Mason, in whose name the first action was brought, accepted offers made by the Commissioners. The offers were in excess of the following items: (1) a year’s rent, tithes, taxes, and outgoings; (2) all expenses on the crops destroyed (tillage, seed sowing, &c.) up to the day of the inundation; (3) damage to fences, buildings, &c., and (4) the amount of a full year’s rent, tithes, and drainage taxes as profits to the tenants. In May the cases Coe v. Wise and Sharpe v. the Commissioners were argued in the Rolls Court, before Mr. Serjeant Hayes and Mr. Durrant and Mr. Bailey Denton, the arbitrators; and on June 22nd it was announced that Mr. Coe had been awarded £2,575, and Mr. Sharpe £405, the former getting £500 and the latter £100 more than the defendants offered. The defendants, therefore, were ordered to pay costs, and the litigation ended.
12.—Died at Bedford, Colonel Vincent Matthias, Madras Army, aged 73. Born at Norwich, he was of a family of fifteen, and nine of his brothers entered either the Navy or Army. He was appointed a cadet in 1810, and received his commission as ensign on August 24th, 1811, Colonel Mathias’ service extended over a period of more than thirty years. He was an ardent sportsman, and while in India made a valuable collection of natural history specimens, which he presented to the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.
15.—The proceedings of the Town Council relative to the Norwich sewerage scheme commenced this year with the payment to Mr. P. E. Hansell, solicitor, of £205, the amount of taxed costs allowed to the informants in obtaining the injunction restraining the Corporation from putting sewage into the river Wensum. On the 22nd the Council, after considerable debate, decided that the dry earth system advocated by Mr. Edward Boardman was not applicable to the district. The Court of Reference appointed by the House of Commons to try the merits of the Norwich Local Board of Health Bill with reference to its engineering details and the estimated cost of the proposed works, commenced its investigations on March 11th. The object of the Bill was “to provide for the better sewering of the city and the applying of the sewage to the irrigation of land.” The referees reported to the House on the 14th that the works and estimates were sufficient for the objects proposed. The Bill was before a Select Committee of the House of Commons on March 13th, and on March 26th it was, with certain amendments, reported to the House. (See January 28th, 1868.)
16.—A deep snow caused considerable inconvenience to railway traffic. A train from Norwich to Lowestoft came to a standstill in the Mutford cutting, and was not got out until the afternoon of the 17th. The snow drifted to the depth of seven feet upon most of the lines, some of which remained closed for three days. Many of the roads were impassable for vehicular traffic, and in some instances the mail bags were carried across country on foot. Great distress prevailed amongst the poor, and special funds were raised in several towns for their relief. At Norwich the amount contributed was £2,227. On the 22nd a rapid thaw commenced.
FEBRUARY.
14.—Sir S. W. Baker, the discoverer of the sources of the Nile, delivered a lecture at St. Peter’s Hall, Norwich, upon the political condition of Egypt. The Mayor presided over the large audience, who accorded a warm reception to Sir Samuel, who, at that time, was a resident in the county.
MARCH.
19.—The boiler of an engine at work in a field near Watlington Station exploded, killing five persons outright, and injuring seven others, two of whom died on the following day. Such was the force of the explosion that the boiler was blown a distance of forty yards. It was proved at the inquest that the accident resulted from the tying down the safety-valve.
29.—Charles Dickens appeared at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and read, before a numerous audience, “Dr. Marigold” and the trial scene from “Pickwick.”
APRIL.
5.—Mr. Sothern appeared at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Lord Dundreary. On the 6th he performed the part of David Garrick. The house was crowded to excess on both occasions.
22.—Mr. Loveday’s English Grand Opera Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. Madame Haigh-Dyer was the prima donna, and Mr. and Mrs. Aynsley Cooke were of the company. The works produced included “Robert le Diable,” “The Fairy and the Cobbler,” “The Puritan’s Daughter,” “The Barber of Seville,” “Faust,” “Don Giovanni,” “Satanella,” “The Quaker,” &c.
24.—Lord Hastings and Mr. Anthony Hamond, masters of Norfolk foxhounds, were entertained at dinner at the Corn Hall, Fakenham, “in appreciation of their efforts to provide sport during the season.” The Earl of Leicester presided.
MAY.
8.—Died at Yarmouth, aged 76, Lieut. William Simpson, R.M., of North Walsham. He was one of the officers who received the Emperor Napoleon on board the Bellerophon, on July 15th, 1815.
14.—A great public meeting, in support of the United Kingdom Alliance, was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and was addressed by General Neal Dow, who had taken a prominent part in the passing of the Maine Liquor Law.
18.—A meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, presided over by Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., was held “to discuss the future aggregate representation of the county in Parliament, in the event of the loss of three of its borough members,” namely, of two on the disenfranchisement of Yarmouth, and of one on Thetford being constituted a “single membered” borough. The following motion was adopted: “That the attention of the Chamber having been directed to the clauses in the Bill before Parliament for the redistribution of seats, it is resolved that the proposal to take away three members from the county is unjust, and that the most strenuous efforts be made to retain twelve members, to which it is justly entitled, by reason of its population, wealth, and importance.” It was announced on June 15th that, under the redistribution scheme, Norfolk would in future have three divisions, namely, West, North-East, and South-East. The Boundary Commissioners appointed under the provisions of the Representation of the People Act held inquiries at Thetford on September 24th, at Norwich on September 27th and October 9th, at Lynn on October 2nd, and at the Shirehall, Norwich, on October 7th. (See June 18th, 1868.)
21.—Died at West Bilney Hall, Mr. Thomas William Coke. He was born in January, 1793, and was the eldest son of Edward Coke, of Longford, Derbyshire. In his youth he was frequently at Holkham, and was long regarded as heir to the estate, but this prospect ended by the marriages in 1822, of his uncle, Thomas William Coke (created Earl of Leicester in 1837), to Lady Anne Keppel, the issue of which was the large family of whom the present Earl is the head. Mr. Coke was very popular, and in early life was a fearless and accomplished horseman.
24.—The Queen’s birthday was observed at Norwich by a parade of the Volunteers and the firing of a feu de joie in the Market Place. The Volunteers were entertained at dinner at the Drill Hall, 700 old people were invited by the Mayor and Sheriff to a feast at the Corn Hall, and luncheon was served at St. Andrew’s Hall for many of the leading residents in city and county.
28.—A modified observance of the old custom of “beating the bounds” took place in the parish of Colkirk. “The existence of tithe maps and other circumstances halving rendered actual perambulation comparatively unnecessary, the circuit of the parish was omitted; but two brief services were held in the pretty green lanes at the opposite extremities of the parish, and were attended by 60 or 70 persons, including the little children of the village school, who marched through the village singing hymns, preceded by a modest banner.” An address was given at both services by the Rev. W. A. Chapman.
JUNE.
4.—Died, at the age of 53, Dr. W. H. Ranking, formerly of Norwich. He was descended from a family living on the borders of Norfolk and Suffolk, who had for three generations been engaged in the practice of medicine. Dr. Ranking received his early education at Hastings, and subsequently entered the University of Cambridge. After spending some time in the hospitals of Paris, he settled at Bury St. Edmund’s, and became physician to the Suffolk General Hospital, a post which he filled for seven years. After the death of Dr. Lubbock, Dr. Ranking removed to Norwich, and became physician to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and editor of the Journal of the Council of the Provincial Medical and Surgical Association. “He was a most uncompromising enemy to quackery in all its forms, and he always testified to the absurdity of what he considered the fashionable humbug of the age—homœopathy.”
19.—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association commenced at Fakenham, and was continued on the 20th. By special permission granted by the Privy Council, at the request of a deputation introduced on May 9th by Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., cattle were exhibited under certain restrictions. At the dinner, presided over by the Earl of Kimberley, Mr. E. C. Bailey was presented with a handsome testimonial, on his resignation of the office of secretary, after twenty-five years’ service.
24.—The First Administrative Battalion of Norfolk Volunteers, commanded by Col. James Duff, encamped in Hunstanton Park.
JULY.
5.—Mr. J. L. Toole commenced a two nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre, and appeared in “The Spitialfields Weaver,” “Ici on parle Français,” and “The Area Belle.”
6.—Died, in his 70th year, at his residence, Surrey Road, Norwich, Mr. William Day, who for upwards of forty years had held the office of magistrates’ clerk.
9.—Died, Sir George James Turner, the senior Lord Justice of Appeal. He was born at Great Yarmouth in 1798, where his father, the Rev. Richard Turner, was for thirty years vicar. His education commenced at the Charterhouse (of which he was afterwards a governor), and finished at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where his uncle, Dr. Joseph Turner, Dean of Norwich, was then master. In 1819 he took his degree as wrangler, and was soon afterwards elected a Fellow of Pembroke. Having entered at Lincoln’s Inn, he was called to the Bar in 1821, and became Queen’s Counsel in 1840, and from 1847 to 1851 sat in the House of Commons as member for Coventry. In 1851 he was selected as a Vice-Chancellor, and in 1853, when Lord Cottenham was appointed Lord Chancellor, he was promoted Lord Justice of the Court of Appeal. Sir George married in 1823, Louisa, youngest daughter of Mr. Edward Jones, of Brackley, Northamptonshire.
AUGUST.
1.—A new lifeboat, the cost of which had been generously defrayed by a lady residing at Bath, was launched at Sheringham. It was named the Duncan, and was housed in a commodious building, with reading-room attached for the use of the fishermen.
8.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Byles, Hubbard Lingley, aged 22, was indicted for the murder of Benjamin Black, his uncle, by shooting him at Barton Bendish, on May 17th. The prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to death. The execution was carried out by Calcraft, on the Castle Hill, Norwich, at eight a.m. on August 26. “The holding of an execution upon Monday instead of on the market-day (Saturday) is a vast improvement, but it is to be hoped the time is not far distant when executions will take place within instead of outside the prison walls.” (This was the last public execution in Norwich.)
—Died at her residence, at Weybridge, Mrs. Austin (Sarah Taylor, of Norwich). She was born in 1793, and married, in 1820, Mr. John Austin, a barrister on the Norfolk Circuit. A miscellaneous writer of some repute, she never aspired to original literary compositions, but devoted the singular power of her pen to the reproduction in English of many of the best contemporary works of German and French literature. Her translations, from the German especially, were of the highest excellence.
12.—Chapel Field, Norwich, which had for some months been closed to the public, was re-opened. Several portions of the old city wall had been removed, and railings erected, and efforts were also made to level the area.
14.—The Norfolk and Eastern Counties Working Classes Exhibition and Industrial Festival was opened at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, by the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Watson). The exhibition consisted of works of art, industry, and mechanical invention, and remained open for one month.
30.—Mr. George Buttler Kennett, formerly of Great Yarmouth, was appointed clerk to the justices of Norwich, in place of Mr. William Day, deceased.
SEPTEMBER.
4.—A new lifeboat, named the “Licensed Victualler,” was launched at Hunstanton. Its cost was defrayed by a fund inaugurated by Mr. James Wyld, editor of the “Licensed Victuallers’ Guardian.”
10.—A surf lifeboat was launched at Caister-next-the-Sea. It was provided, at the cost of £300, by means of a fund raised by the editor of “Routledge’s Magazine for Boys,” and was christened by Mrs. Routledge, “The Boys’ Lifeboat.”
11.—The Royal Commission appointed to inquire into and report on the employment of children, young persons, and women in agriculture, for the purpose of ascertaining to what extent and with what modifications the principles of the Factory Acts could be adapted for the regulation of such employment, and especially with the view of the better education of such children, commenced its investigations in Norfolk in the Docking Union. The Assistant-Commissioner (the Rev. James Frazer) held similar inquiries in other parts of the county, and, in an address to the members of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on September 28th, said he had met at forty-eight meetings 500 Norfolk farmers, “and not on one occasion had he heard a single painful or discourteous word drop from anybody’s lips.”
16.—The first annual regatta of the Norfolk and Norwich Rowing Club was held at Whitlingham.
17.—The Norfolk and Norwich Licensed Victuallers’ Association was formed at a meeting held at the Three Pigeons, Charing Cross, Norwich.
19.—A new church erected at Overstrand, in place of the old church, which had fallen into decay, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. The architect was Mr. A. Salvin, of London, and the builder Mr. R. Cornish, of North Walsham. The necessary funds were provided principally by the Dowager Lady Buxton and the descendants of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, deceased, by Mr. Gurney Hoare, Mr. Joseph Hoare, and others.
21.*—“A destructive parasitical weed has made its appearance on some of the small farms at Navarina, an open district forming a part of the very extensive manor of Lord Ashburton, at Thetford. It is known as ‘the dodder.’ It completely absorbs or destroys the crop wherever it appears, and leaves the land barren of all but its own hair-like fibres. So powerful and fatal is the grasp of this singular plant, that even the hardy and prickly gorse succumbs to the pressure of its delicate fibres.”
OCTOBER.
1.—The 15th Hussars, from Aldershot, marched into Norwich, under the command of Col. F. W. J. Fitzwygram.
12.*—“The county having for upwards of a year been free from cattle plague, the Norfolk Cattle Plague Association has been wound up, and the balance in hand, amounting to upwards of £4,000, has been invested in the names of trustees, Mr. Howes, M.P., and Mr. Read, M.P., to be available in case of any further emergency.” The “London Gazette,” on October 23rd, contained an Order to take effect on November 4th, for the withdrawal of restrictions on the movement of cattle in the interior of the kingdom.
14.—A huge female elephant, weighing five tons, and belonging to Edmonds’ (late Wombwell’s) Menagerie, started from Diss with the show, but had not gone far when she fell in Denmark Street. Poles and tackle had to be procured, and after four hours’ labour the ponderous animal was raised, put in the caravan, and taken back to the fair green, where she was placed in slings. Cordials and other restoratives were administered, but the animal died on the following day. She was valued at between £800 and £900, and had been fifteen years in the collection.
22.—An immense eel was taken from the river Ouse, near Denver Sluice. It measured 5 ft. 8 in. in length, 17¼ in. in girth, and weighed 36 lbs. before and 28 lbs. after being skinned. “Yarrel, in his ‘British Fishes,’ mentions having seen the skins of two at Cambridge which together weighed 50 lbs.—one 27 lbs. and the other 23 lbs., which were taken within a few miles of this spot.”
28.—The new fishmarket, wharves, and tramways constructed at Great Yarmouth, at the total cost of £15,799, were opened.
NOVEMBER.
5.—The new Drill Hall at Great Yarmouth, erected at the cost of £1,300, by Mr. Leggett, from designs by Mr. J. T. Bottle, was opened.
6.—St. Andrew’s church, Norwich, was re-opened after restoration. The architect who superintended the work was Mr. William Smith, the Adelphi, London, and the contractor, Mr. Burrell, of Norwich. The Bishop of Norwich preached the sermon.
—Died at Yarmouth, aged 82, James Sharman, the keeper of the Nelson monument on the South Denes. He was a native of Yarmouth, and entered the Navy in 1799, having been “pressed” when a waiting lad at the Wrestlers Inn, and taken on board H.M.S. Weazel, Captain Durben. After four years’ service he was wrecked off Cabaratta Point, near Gibraltar. He then joined the Victory, under Captain Thomas Hardy, and at Trafalgar “assisted in carrying the dying Nelson from the lower deck to the cockpit.”
9.—Mr. Jeremiah James Colman was elected Mayor, and Mr. Robert Fitch appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a memorial was received from the parents of boys educated at the Commercial School, praying that the efficiency of that school should not be impaired in consequence of the large outlay required for making alterations in and additions to the Grammar School premises. The Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee, to whom the memorial was referred, reported to the Town Council on November 26th that they strongly deprecated any increase in the fees of the Commercial School, but they considered the successful maintenance of the Grammar School of great advantage to the city. The report was adopted.
10.—Died in Paris, aged 63, Mr. W. Wilshere, of Welwyn, Herts., and formerly member of Parliament for Yarmouth. He became a candidate for that borough with Mr. Rumbold, in the Liberal interest, in 1837, when the Conservative candidates were Messrs. Baring and Gambier. On the dissolution of Parliament in 1847, he retired from the representation of the borough. “It is said that his various contests cost him a very large sum of money, and that in other respects the expenses incident to the representation of a borough on Liberal principles were too much for endurance.”
16.—Reference was made to the disbandment of the 1st Norfolk Light Horse, which had been under the command of Capt. Hay Gurney since its institution by him in 1861. The members presented to their commanding-officer a testimonial “representing in frosted silver, on an ebony stand, a mounted officer and trumpeter in full dress.”
20.—The Scratby Hall estate, comprising 280 acres, was sold by auction by Messrs. Butcher, at the Star Hotel, Yarmouth, for £16,760.
26.—The Rev. Edward Marjoribanks Nisbet, M.A., was installed a residentiary canon at Norwich Cathedral.
30.—The Right Hon. Edward Stratham Gordon, Lord Advocate of Scotland, was elected to represent the borough of Thetford in Parliament, upon the resignation of the Hon. A. H. Baring. Lord Frederick FitzRoy, who had come forward as a candidate, withdrew from the contest on the day appointed for the nomination. “He departed for London, leaving behind him an address telling the electors that, by means of treachery, opposition had been brought against him.”
DECEMBER.
1.—The Norfolk coast, in common with the whole of England, was visited by a gale of unusual violence. It resulted not only in great destruction of property, but in the loss of many lives. At Yarmouth the waters overflowed the banks of the river, inundated all the low-lying lands from the harbour’s mouth to Reedham, and, flooding the neighbouring railways, stopped the traffic. Several vessels were driven ashore and their crews lost. On December 2nd the lifeboat Rescuer was entering the harbour with the shipwrecked crew of the ship George Kendall, from Liverpool to Hull, on board, when she fouled with a fishing-boat and was capsized. Of the shipwrecked crew of twenty-three only four were saved, and of the lifeboat crew six were drowned. Many widows and children were left destitute, owing to the large number of lives lost during the gale.
—The parish church of Little Ellingham was destroyed by fire. The building had recently undergone extensive restoration, and the damage, due to the overheating of a new warming apparatus, amounted to upwards of £1,000. Efforts were made by the Hingham fire brigade to preserve the chancel, and were in part successful, but the nave was wholly demolished. Under the supervision of Messrs. T. H. and F. Healey, architects, of Bradford, the nave was rebuilt and the chancel repaired by the contractor, Mr. Clarke, of Hingham; and the church was re-opened for public worship on Ascension Day, 1869.
24.—A common hall was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Colman), at which the citizens expressed their “detestation of the late Fenian outrage at Clerkenwell, their sympathy with the sufferers, and their loyal attachment to the Queen and the Constitution.”
26.—The Christmas pantomime produced by Mr. Sidney at Norwich Theatre was entitled, “Hush-a-Bye Baby on the Tree Top, or Harlequin Fortunio, Clown King Frog of Frog Island, and the Fairy Queen of the Golden Flowers.” At Mander’s Menagerie, stationed on the Castle Meadow, “the electric light was exhibited in the interior during Maccomo’s performance with the lions, tigers, and elephants.” On the 30th was produced at Henry and Adams’ Circus an “equestrian pantomime,” entitled, “O’Donaghue of the Lakes, or Harlequin Dermot Astore and the White Horse of Killarney.”
30.—The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester, and returned to Sandringham on January 4th, 1868. Prince Edward of Saxe-Weimar was of the party.
1868.
JANUARY.
2.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held at Norwich, Mr. Day, the County Treasurer, gave notice of his intention at the Easter Sessions, to resign that office, which he had held for thirty-three years. Mr. Day took leave of the Court on April 2nd, and Mr. Herbert William Day was elected in his place.
—Lord Suffield, at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, moved the adoption of an address to her Majesty, expressing indignation at the Fenian outrages committed throughout the kingdom, and promising the hearty and vigorous co-operation of her Majesty’s loyal subjects in the county in supporting the Government in any efforts that might be made “to repress this odious conspiracy.” It was stated on January 11th that at Yarmouth precautions had been taken to prevent an outbreak in the borough. Each ward was under the special supervision of two magistrates; the store of gunpowder was removed from the outlying magazine at the North Battery to the South Battery, where a strong guard was stationed; and directions were given to the Artillery and Rifle Volunteers as to the course to be pursued in the event of their services being required.
14.—The Norwich Churchmen’s Club was established at a meeting held at the Clerical Rooms. It was intended for “the self-culture and rational recreation of young men.” For some years afterwards the society continued to flourish, and was instrumental during the early period of its existence in introducing to the city several eminent lecturers on scientific and other subjects.
16.—A remarkable seizure of about one hundred coombs of wheat was made at the New Mills, Norwich. This “mass of filth, one-tenth wheat and nine-tenths rats’ dung and maggots,” had been sent to the mills by Mr. Orlando Barnes, of Beeston, “for the purpose of being dressed for the preparation of human food.” The magistrates granted an order for its destruction, and on the 22nd and 23rd it was publicly burned in the Cattle Market. At the Norwich Police Court, on February 7th, Mr. Barnes was summoned for sending the wheat to the mills with the view of preparing it for human consumption, and was fined 40s. and costs. The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on February 8th, discussed “the policy of destroying agricultural produce by any local authority under the Nuisances Removal Act, 1863, without sufficient proof of its unfitness for feeding or some other useful purpose.” A motion was adopted affirming that such a practice was impolitic. In the following week handbills were circulated calling upon the citizens to make an “indignation visit” to Mr. Barnes’ premises at Beeston on Sunday, February 16th. The Mayor issued notices warning all persons to abstain from taking part in the proposed proceedings, and the Chief Constable of the county (Col. Black) drafted to the district thirty police-officers and eight mounted inspectors and sergeants to prevent trespass upon the farm. Several thousands of persons visited the village during the afternoon, but a hostile demonstration was prevented.
18.—The colours of the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment, bearing the marks of the severe conflicts through which they had passed, were “laid up” at Norwich Cathedral. They were brought from Aldershot on the 17th, in charge of Capt. Shirecliff Parker, Lieut. Smart, Ensign Ibbetson, and two colour-sergeants, and were deposited for the night at the Guildhall. On the morning of the 18th the colours, escorted by the 15th Hussars, and preceded by the band of that regiment, were borne to the Cathedral. After Morning Prayer had been said, Lieut. Smart carried the Queen’s and Ensign Ibbetson the Regimental colour to the altar rails, and, kneeling, handed them to Canon Nisbet and Canon Heaviside, “who placed them leaning across the altar, one on the north and the other on the south side”; the National Anthem was played upon the organ, and the officers and escort, who wore their busbies, saluted. Canon Nisbet preached from Psalm xx., part of the 5th verse. The colours were subsequently placed in the positions they now occupy in the choir.
23.—A fire, involving the loss of three lives and the destruction of much valuable property, occurred at the house of Mr. Frederick Pigg, hosier and boot and shoe manufacturer, Market Row, Yarmouth. Mrs. Pigg, in heroically attempting to save her two children, was buried beneath the falling roof of the building, and the charred remains of the mother and infants were found the following day. The value of the property destroyed was about £3,500.
28.—The first of the many long discussions upon the sewerage question during this year took place at a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, on a recommendation of the Sewerage Committee that a memorial from the citizens, praying for the introduction of the dry earth system, instead of an expensive scheme of drainage, be not adopted. It was decided that the works had progressed too far to admit of any reconsideration of the plans. On February 28th a large meeting of ratepayers was held at the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew’s, under the presidency of Sir Samuel Bignold, at which the following resolution was passed:—“That the Local Board of Health be respectfully requested to postpone the proposed drainage works, and that Messrs. Hay Gurney, Charles Foster, J. Davey, and W. H. Clabburn and the other promoters of the injunction be earnestly entreated not to interpose any obstacle to the Board’s compliance with this request.” The “injunctionists,” on March 2nd, received a deputation appointed by the meeting, and, after hearing their statements, Dr. Dalrymple replied on behalf of the relators in the suit that they were of opinion “the question of proceeding with the scheme of drainage did not rest with them but with the Town Council, and they were not prepared to take any steps which would prejudice their legal position for enforcing the purification of the river.” On March 10th a memorial was presented to the Town Council, urging that the drainage scheme in the then perplexity of sanitary science was “a speculation with the health of the city,” and that it was “stark madness to plunge into a gulf of unplumbed expenditure unwarned by the failures in other cities.” A motion was adopted authorising the Sewerage and Irrigation Committee to negotiate for a loan not exceeding £60,000, required for the construction of sewerage works. On the 17th a band paraded the city to attract the citizens to a common hall, at which resolutions were adopted affirming that the rates were too high and the trade of Norwich too depressed to warrant this costly experiment in drainage. The Town Council, on April 7th, entered into a contract with Messrs. Shrimpton and Co., of Uxbridge Road, London, for the construction of certain sewerage works, at the cost of £28,874; and it was agreed to take up at interest of the Hand-in-Hand Fire and Life Office the sum of £30,000, of which £20,000 was to be paid as soon as the necessary security was prepared, and the remaining £10,000 at the expiration of six months, at the rate of £4 15s. per cent. per annum. (See March 5th, 1869.)
31.—Died at Welborne, aged 100 years, Benjamin Tooley, “leaving a widow at the advanced age of 99.”
FEBRUARY.
1.—During the prevalence of a severe gale from W. and S.W., shipping casualties of a very serious character occurred off the coast of Norfolk, and inland considerable damage was done to property. Trees were uprooted, stacks overturned, and many houses partially unroofed.
6.—A collision occurred off Happisburgh, between the screw steamer Swan, of and for Newcastle, and the paddle steamer Seagull, of Hull. The Seagull, which foundered, with the loss of a passenger, was valued at £15,000, and her cargo at £10,000.
13.—During a run of the Norfolk and Suffolk Harriers over land at West Tofts, in the occupation of Mr. Colman, the hare was shot by a gamekeeper in the service of that gentleman. During the altercation which ensued Mr. Colman appeared, and blows were exchanged between the members of the Hunt and himself. Reinforcements came to Mr. Column’s assistance, and the engagement became general, the conflict ending in favour of the Hunt. At the Norfolk Assizes, on March 31st. before Mr. Baron Martin, was tried the action, Colman v. Larkman, in which the plaintiff claimed damages for injury done to his crops and fences and for being assaulted with a hunting-whip by the defendant. The special jury gave a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £50.
15.—Died at his residence, St. Giles’ Street, Norwich, Mr. Arthur Dalrymple, who had held the office of Clerk of the Peace since 1856. He was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, a lover of science and art, and possessed a unique and valuable collection of Norfolk portraits.
19.—In the Court of Exchequer, before the Lord Chief Baron, Messrs. Henry Morgan and others, as assignees of the estate and effects of Messrs. Riches and Watts, engineers, of Norwich, brought a claim against William Cafferata, engineer, of Newark, for the recovery of £5,000 damages which had been sustained by the estate of the bankrupts by reason of the explosion of a steam boiler which they purchased of the defendant and had supplied to Mr. Richard John Stark. It was warranted to be of the very best metal, but was really of inferior quality, and burst with disastrous consequences. The defendant accepted a verdict against himself of £2,000 damages.
20.—Died at Portsmouth, Rear-Admiral Robert Sharpe, K.T.S., aged 76 years. A native of Tunstead, he entered the Navy in 1807, on board the Mars (Captain Lukin), and retired with the rank of Rear-Admiral in 1865. “Whilst in command of the Siska, he conducted the King of Musquito from Blasford to Belize to be crowned.”
MARCH.
8.—Died at Thetford, in his 73rd year, Mr. Isaac Carr. He was described as “a veteran politician of the old school, who was deputed some two years since by Mr. Harvey, M.P., to compile a history of Thetford, which he had not completed at the time of his death.”
9.—The ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the new dock at Lynn was performed by Mrs. Jarvis, wife of Mr. L. W. Jarvis, chairman of the Dock Company. (See July 7th, 1869.)
10.—The first screw steamboat built in Norwich was launched from Field’s boatbuilding yard, Carrow Abbey. She was named the Alexandra, and was intended for passenger traffic on the local rivers. Mr. John Hart Boughen was the owner of the vessel.
—Mr. Elijah Crosier Bailey was appointed Clerk of the Peace for the city and county of the city of Norwich.
—The Norwich Town Council, on the motion of Mr. Field, adopted a resolution affirming the desirability of arranging with the Board of Guardians for the collection by one set of paid collectors of all the public rates within the corporate district of Norwich. On April 21st the Town Council adopted the report of a joint committee of the Corporation and the Guardians, who recommended that the corporate district be divided into eight districts; that the then four collectors be retained at the salary of £140 per year each; that four new collectors be appointed, at the salary of £100 a year each; that in future two poor rates be made yearly, namely, one in January and one in July, both of such rates to be collected in two instalments, the first in January and July, and the second in April and October; and that a like arrangement be made as to the making and collection of the rates of the Board of Health. This arrangement was known as the consolidation of the rates.
27.—Died at North Creake, in his 71st year, the Ven. R. E. Hankinson, M.A., Archdeacon of Norwich. He was educated at Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1821, and was ordained in the same year by Bishop Bathurst, of Norwich. For some years he was minister of Well Walk Chapel, Hampstead; in 1847 was presented by the Dean and Chapter of Norwich to the incumbency of St. Margaret and St. Nicholas, King’s Lynn, which he held until 1863, when he was presented to the rectory of North Creake; and was appointed to the Archdeaconry of Norwich in 1857. He was succeeded by the Rev. Augustus Macdonald Hopper, honorary canon and rural dean, and proctor for the Archdeaconries of Norfolk and Norwich, who was collated on April 26th.
31.—At the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, a meeting of the Conservative and Constitutional Association passed a resolution condemnatory of Mr. Gladstone’s resolutions on the Irish Church. Many meetings were held for the same purpose in different parts of the county, and on April 23rd the Norwich Diocesan Church Association recorded its protest against the measure.
APRIL.
8.—A complimentary dinner, attended by about 150 gentlemen, was given to Lord Hastings at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, in recognition of the successful manner in which he had hunted the East Norfolk Foxhounds.
13.—The English Grand Opera Company, managed by Mr. G. B. Loveday and Mr. Oliver Summers, commenced a season’s engagement at Norwich Theatre. Madame Haigh-Dyer was the prima donna, and Mr. Henry Haigh and Mr. Henry Rowland were members of the company. The works produced included “Un Ballo in Maschira,” “Fidelio,” “Masaniello,” “Faust,” “Lurline,” “Il Trovatore,” “Satanella,” “Rose of Castile,” and “Crown Diamonds.”
14.—The headquarters of the 15th Hussars marched from Norwich Cavalry Barracks, en route to York.
17.—East Raynham church was re-opened, after restoration. The Marquis Townshend had entirely rebuilt the nave, at the cost of upwards of £4,000, and the rector, the Rev. R. Phayre, the chancel, at the cost of £1,000. The work was commenced in May, 1866, by the contractor, Mr. William Hubbard, of East Dereham.
25.—Died at Ballycroy, Ballina, co. Mayo, where he had occupied an extensive farm, Mr. T. J. Birch, Judge of the Norfolk County Court circuit. The second son of Mr. Wyrley Birch, of Wretham Hall, he was born prior to the settlement of the family in the county. He was educated at Eton, and having graduated at Oxford, entered the Inner Temple, and was called to the Bar on November 18th, 1831. His first official connection with the county was as a magistrate and joint chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions. After the passing of the first County Courts Act, the Liberal Government of the day appointed him, in March, 1847, to the judgeship of the Norfolk district. He was succeeded in his appointment by Mr. William Henry Cooke, Q.C., Recorder of Oxford.
MAY.
1.—Died at the South Kensington Hotel, London, Mr. Albemarle Cator, of Woodbastwick Hall, aged 55. He was one of the most prominent sportsmen in the county, was a Conservative in politics, and was upon the Commission of the Peace. In the year preceding his death he served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk.
4.—At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, an address was adopted congratulating the Queen upon the failure of the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh.
25.—The Queen’s birthday was observed at Norwich as a public holiday. The Rifle Volunteers fired a feu de joie in the Market Place, and the Artillery Volunteers a salute on the Castle Hill. The Mayor’s déjeuner at the Drill Hall was attended by 1,000 guests, and his entertainment at the Corn Hall by over 1,000 of the aged poor, among whom were an old lady aged 98 and her daughter aged 80.
30.—Died at Thetford, Mr. Leonard Shelford Bidwell, aged 86. Mr. Bidwell had several times served the office of Mayor, was upon the Commission of the Peace for the county and for the borough, and was senior Alderman of the Corporation. In politics he was a Conservative, and had always given his support and influence to the house of Baring in the representation of the borough.
JUNE.
11.—Died at his residence, Burrator, Devon, Sir James Brooke, K.C.B., Rajah of Sarawak.
13.—The name of Lord Ranelagh, High Sheriff of the county, was brought into unpleasant prominence at Bow Street Police Court, during the hearing of a charge against Madame Rachel for fraudulently obtaining from a Mrs. Borradaile the sum of £1,000, upon pretence of making her “beautiful for ever.” Madame Rachel had informed her dupe that Lord Ranelagh had fallen desperately in love with her, and was ready to marry her “providing he had £1,400 for Volunteering purposes.” Lord Ranelagh emphatically denied having had anything to do in the matter further than that he had received letters from Mrs. Borradaile, and had suggested to her family that she should be taken care of, believing that she was under delusions.
—Died at his residence, the Crescent, Norwich, in his 83rd year, Mr. J. N. V. Cooper, who was for more than 56 years clerk to the Governors of the Bethel Hospital.
18.—In the House of Commons it was agreed, on the motion of Mr. Howes, that the three divisions of the county be thenceforth known as North, South, and West Norfolk, instead of “North Eastern, South Eastern, and West.”
—The annual show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association commenced at Downham Market, and was continued on the 19th. Mr. W. Amhurst Tyssen Amherst was President.
20.—The Norwich Volunteers attended the review held by the Queen in Windsor Park. The Rifles, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Black, numbered 455; and the Artillery, under Capt. Barber, 111. Both corps mustered on Tombland at 5.30 a.m., left Thorpe Station at 6.15 a.m., and returned from Windsor the same day.
27.—The 1st Administrative Battalion Norfolk Volunteers went into camp at Hunstanton Park, 500 strong, and remained under canvas until July 2nd. The battalion was inspected by Col. Boileau.
30.—The Norwich Electoral Union selected Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett as Liberal candidate for the city, in view of the pending General Election.
JULY.
23.—A two days’ cricket match commenced on the Lakenham Ground, Norwich, between a team of “Aboriginal Australians” and the Carrow Club. The Australians showed surprising skill with the bat, and in the first day’s play made 177, against the Carrow score of 82.
26.—Died, Robert Monsey Rolfe, Baron Cranworth of Cranworth. His lordship was the eldest and only surviving son of the Rev. Edward Rolfe, and was born December 18th, 1790. His father, like his uncle, grandfather, and great grandfather, was a plain country clergyman, holding the livings of Cockley Cley and of Cranworth, and it was at the rectory house of the latter parish that he was born, and from which he selected his title just 60 years afterwards. His mother was a Miss Alexander, a granddaughter of Dr. Monsey, the physician of Chelsea Hospital. Having received his early education at Bury St. Edmund’s, he was transferred to Winchester College, and in due course proceeded to Cambridge, took his B.A. degree as 17th wrangler in 1812, and was elected to the Fellowship of Downing College. He entered Lincoln’s Inn, and was called to the Bar in 1816. One of his first public appointments was that of Recorder of Bury St. Edmund’s, and he more than once, as a Liberal, contested the representation of the borough against the powerful interest of the Marquis of Bristol. In 1832 he obtained a silk gown, and in the same year was returned to Parliament. On becoming Solicitor-General, in 1834, he received the honour of knighthood, and at the close of 1839 accepted a puisne judgeship as one of the Barons of Exchequer. In 1850 he was nominated a Vice-Chancellor, a post which, in the following year, he exchanged for that of a Justice of Appeal in Chancery, which he continued to hold until the Great Seal of the kingdom was entrusted to his hands by Lord Aberdeen, on the formation of the Coalition Cabinet in December, 1852. In the same year he was raised to the Peerage, and as Lord Cranworth again held the Great Seal in 1865–66. His lordship married Miss Carr, of Froghall Park, Hampstead.
27.—Mr. Simmons ascended in his large balloon from the Victoria Gardens, Yarmouth, and descended at Caister. On August 6th he made an ascent from the Greenhill Gardens, Norwich, and descended in Horstead Park. Mr. Simmons, on August 13th, exhibited the balloon in Norwich Market Place, where, in a captive state, it made several ascents. The aeronaut, accompanied by Mr. William Maris, then ascended to the height of 10,000 feet in the space of two minutes, when the balloon drifted away in a north-easterly direction. The passengers made a perilous descent near the sea coast. They narrowly escaped with their lives by jumping out of the car, and the balloon, blown out to sea, fell into the water two and a half miles off Sheringham. The voyage from Norwich lasted only fifteen minutes.
29.—A great Volunteer fête and al fresco entertainment took place in the grounds of Quebec House, East Dereham, the residence of Capt. Bulwer. The fête, which was attended by many hundreds of persons, was in aid of the funds of the corps.
31.—Died at his residence, St. George’s Middle Street, Norwich, aged 75, the Rev. John Alexander, for nearly 50 years pastor of Prince’s Street chapel. “He was honoured and loved by his congregation as a kind-hearted, liberal-minded, and truly Christian gentleman.”
AUGUST.
7.—The dismounted party of the B and C Batteries, Royal Horse Artillery, arrived by rail at Norwich. The mounted portion marched in on the 13th, under the command of Major H. P. Bishop.
8.*—“The death, of Mr. George Cattermole, the well-known artist, is announced. He was born at Dickleburgh, near Diss, in 1800. At an early age he acquired proficiency as a draughtsman, and some of the most elaborate drawings in Britton’s ‘Cathedrals’ emanate from him.”
—Chang, the Chinese giant, was exhibited at the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew’s, Norwich. “He is between 8½ ft and 9 ft. high, and his natural suavity of manner is very agreeable to those he meets.”
10.—The Grand English Opera and Ballet Company appeared at Norwich Theatre. The artistes, included Miss Annie Thirlwall, Miss Blanch Cole, Miss Fanny Rowland, Mr. William Parkinson, Mr. Aynsley Cook, Mr. Eugene Corri, Mr. Charles Durand, &c. In the company’s repertory were “Un Ballo in Maschira,” “Faust,” and a ballet divertissement, in which the sisters Louie and Marie Smithers appeared.
19.—The British Association for the Advancement of Science commenced its thirty-eighth congress at Norwich. The General Committee met at St. Pater’s Hall in the morning, and in the evening the President, Mr. J. D. Hooker, F.R.S., D.C.L., delivered his inaugural address, at the Drill Hall. The various sections were presided over by the following gentlemen:—Mathematical and Physical Science, Professor Tyndall, LL.D., F.R.S.; Chemical Science, Professor Frankland, F.R.S.; Geology, Mr. R. A. C. Godwin Austen, F.R.S., F.G.S.; Biology, the Rev. J. M. Berkeley, M.A., F.R.S.; Geography and Ethnology, Capt. Richards, F.R.S., Hydrographer to the Royal Navy; Economic Science and Statistics, Mr. Samuel Brown, President of the Society of Actuaries; Mechanical Science, Mr. G. Bidder, C.E. On the 22nd the members were invited to Crown Point by Mr. R. J. H. Harvey and Lady Henrietta Harvey. The concluding meeting was held at St. Peter’s Hall on the 26th, after which excursions were made to Lynn, Hunstanton, Wolterton, Walsingham, Burgh Castle, and Holkham Hall, where the members were entertained by the Earl of Leicester. The International Congress of Prehistoric Archæology, presided over by Sir John Lubbock, was held simultaneously with the gathering of the British Association. Its meetings took place at the Public Library.
19.—Died at his residence, Craven Hill Gardens, Bayswater, General Sir George Petre Wymer, K.C.B., Colonel of the 107th Regiment. He was a son of Mr. George Wymer, of Reepham, where he was born on August 19th, 1788. Educated at North Walsham, he entered the military service of the East India Company in August, 1804, served in Lord Lake’s campaign of 1805, and throughout the Nepaul War in 1814–15. In 1840 he joined the army under Sir William Nott at Candahar, and was present during the investment of that city. He was appointed brigadier, and in command of the First Brigade of the Candahar Force saw much active service. In 1842 he was appointed aide-de-camp to the Queen, in recognition of his services in Afghanistan, and in 1857 he was made a K.C.B. for his military services in India. His military career extended over 64 years. General Wymer married, in 1833, a daughter of Sir C. F. Crespigny.
SEPTEMBER.
4.—A new lifeboat, built at the cost of £1,000 subscribed to the National Lifeboat Institution by Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, of Cromer Hall, was launched at Cromer. Mr. Bond Cabbell also provided all the necessary appliances, the transport carriage, and the boat-house. The Bishop of the diocese delivered an address at the launch, and the ceremony of christening the boat by the name of Benjamin Bond Cabbell was performed by Miss Buxton.
7.—Died, Francis Baring, third Baron Ashburton. His lordship was second son of Alexander, first Baron, by his wife Anne Louisa, eldest daughter of Mr. W. Bingham, of Philadelphia. He was born on May 20th, 1800, and married in January, 1831, Mdlle. Claire Hortense, daughter of the Duke de Bassano, by whom he left issue Alexander, his successor in the title, and formerly Member of Parliament for Thetford, the Hon. Denzil Hugh Baring, and an only daughter, Mary Louisa Anne, married to the Duke of Grafton. Previously to his accession to the family honours, the deceased nobleman represented Thetford in Parliament, namely, from 1832 to 1841, and from July, 1848, to December, 1857. He was a Conservative in politics, but, like his father and brother, was moderate in his views, and generally voted with the class of politicians formerly known as “Peelites.”
10.—Died at Westgate House, near Bury St. Edmund’s, Rear-Admiral Sir William Legge George Hoste. He was the eldest son of Sir William Hoste (who was created baronet in 1814 for his naval services, but particularly for the victory he gained over the combined French and Italian squadrons off the island of Lessa in 1811), and Lady Harriett, third daughter of Horatio, second Earl of Orford. Born on March 19th, 1818, he succeeded to the baronetcy on the death of his father, in December, 1828. He was Gentleman Usher to Queen Adelaide from 1845 to 1849, and was appointed Groom-in-Waiting to Queen Victoria in 1860.
OCTOBER.
21.—Died, from the effects of an accident, caused by a fall from his horse whilst riding from Cringleford to Earlham, Mr. Charles Evans, barrister-at-law, and Chancellor for the Diocese of Norwich. Mr. Evans was born at Harrow in 1798, and was the eldest son of the Rev. Benjamin Evans, formerly a Fellow of Pembroke College, Cambridge, and for many years assistant-master at Harrow School. After remaining a short time at Eton, he proceeded to Pembroke College, where he took his degree in 1819, as twelfth wrangler, and was afterwards elected a Fellow. On being called to the Bar Mr. Evans joined the Norfolk Circuit, and in 1824 settled in Norwich, where he practised to the time of his death. In 1845 he was appointed by Bishop Stanley to the Chancellorship of the diocese. He was acting judge of the Court of Record, Chairman of the Board of Guardians, to which office he was elected on the passing of the new Act in 1863; president of the directors of the Norwich Union Office, a magistrate of the city, chairman of the Governors of the Grammar School, &c. Mr. Evans married in 1829 Emily, daughter of Mr. George Morse, of Catton, by whom he left eight children—five sons and three daughters.
31.—The Earl of Leicester presided at a meeting of the inhabitants of the county and city, held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, “for the purpose of bringing the affairs of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital before the public.” Resolutions were adopted affirming that the resources of the institution were inadequate to meet the annual expenditure, and as a means of increasing the revenue it was desirable “that on one Sunday at least in every year, as far as possible on the same Sunday, collections be made for the benefit of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in places of worship throughout the diocese, where such collections shall not interfere with the claims of other hospitals.” As the resources of the Hospital were heavily drawn upon by casualty cases, a separate fund called the Accident Fund was established.
NOVEMBER.
9.—Mr. Edward Kerrison Harvey was elected Mayor and Mr. John Robison appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
15.—For the second time since its erection in 1857–8, the Britannia pier at Yarmouth was partially destroyed. Built at the cost of £6,000, it was originally 750 feet in length. On October 25th, 1859, during a tremendous gale, a sloop, driven from her anchors, was dashed upon the pier and divided it into two portions. It was deemed advisable not to rebuild the severed portion, 80 feet in length, and the terminal portion was subsequently removed. During a heavy north-east gale on this date the schooner Seagull, of Lynn, parted from her anchors, and, drifting towards land, struck against the north side of the pier. The crew of six hands speedily scrambled upon the structure and escaped, but about 105 feet of the centre portion of the pier was completely torn away and damage done to the amount of nearly £1,000.
16.—The nomination of candidates for Norwich, to be elected under the new Reform Act, took place at the Guildhall. The Liberal candidates were Col. Sir William Russell, Bart., C.B., Charlton Park, Charlton Kings, Gloucester, and Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett; and the Conservative candidates Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart., of Rackheath, who had been selected about a fortnight previously. The show of hands was in favour of the Liberals, and Sir Samuel Bignold demanded a poll, which was opened on the 17th “at 29 polling places most conveniently arranged in the different wards.” The pronouncement of the electorate at this election was upon the Irish Church, and at Norwich, as elsewhere, a severe contest resulted. The poll closed at four o’clock with the return of Sir William Russell and Sir Henry Stracey, the figures being officially declared on the 18th as follow:—Stracey, 4,521; Russell, 4,509; Tillett, 4,364. Sir Henry Stracey, accompanied by Lady Stracey, on the morning of the 18th was escorted from Rackheath Park to Norwich, by his mounted tenantry, and received at Magdalene Gates by an imposing procession of Conservative electors, who, amid the playing of brass bands and the ringing of St. Peter Mancroft bells, accompanied him to the Guildhall. After the declaration the procession, half a mile in length, marched through the city. Mr. Tillett, in an address to the electors, stated: “The Tory party have, beyond all precedent, and in the most undisguised manner, committed themselves to the disgrace involved in the wholesale purchase of votes.” (See January 14th, 1869.)
16.—The nomination of representatives to serve in Parliament for the Western Division of the county took place at Swaffham, when Sir William Bagge, Bart., and the Hon. Thomas de Grey were re-elected without opposition.
17.—The nomination of candidates for the borough took place at King’s Lynn. Lord Stanley and the Hon. Robert Bourke were nominated by the Conservatives, and Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, Bart., by the Liberals. The poll was opened on the 18th, and resulted as follows:—Stanley, 1,265; Bourke, 1,125; Buxton, 1,012. (See March 16th, 1869.)
—Died at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, in his 82nd year, Mr. Thomas Brightwell. A native of Ipswich, he married the only daughter of Mr. W. M. Wilkin, of Costessey, and settled in Norwich, where he resided for 60 years, and practised as a solicitor. An earnest Nonconformist, he joined the congregation which assembled at the Old Meeting in St. Clement’s, where to the close of his life he officiated as one of the deacons. He was the author of a work on the Pentateuch, and his intellectual attainments and scientific pursuits gained him admission into the circle which included William Taylor, Doctors Sayers, Martineau, Rigby, and Barrow, Sir James Smith, and other Norwich celebrities. Men bearing historic names, and of widely different sentiments, had from time to time been entertained beneath his roof—Williams, Dr. Gary, Moffat, Doctors Philip and Wolff, of missionary fame; Joseph Kinghorn, the eloquent Irving, Belzoni, the Egyptian explorer; Professor Sedgwick, George Borrow, and many others who had done good service in the cause of religion, literature, and science. A close observer of nature, Mr. Brightwell gave much of his time to entomology, and a fine collection of insects in the Norfolk and Norwich Museum was formed by him. But the study to which, in his later years, he devoted especial attention was that of Infusoria. A treatise upon Infusoria, illustrated from drawings by his daughter, was written by Mr. Brightwell and printed for private circulation. At the Norwich Congress of the British Association, of which he was a vice-president, he was greatly amused by the anxious and ineffectual endeavours made by several of the scientific men present to procure copies of the work, then out of print. In 1821 Mr. Brightwell became a Fellow of the Linnæan Society, and he also rendered considerable assistance in the formation of the Norfolk and Norwich Literary Institution and of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.
21.—The nomination of candidates for South Norfolk took place at the Shirehall, Norwich. The Conservative candidates were Mr. Edward Howes, of Morningthorpe, and Mr. Clare Sewell Read, of Honingham Thorpe. Mr. Henry Lombard Hudson, of Harleston, was nominated by the Liberals. The polling, on the 24th, resulted as follows: Read, 3,097; Howes, 3,055; Hudson, 1,679.
23.—The following gentlemen were nominated at Aylsham to contest the new constituency of North Norfolk:—Sir Edmund Knowles Lacon, Bart., and the Hon. Frederick Walpole, Conservatives; Mr. Edward Robert Wodehouse and Mr. Robert T. Gurdon, Liberals. The polling took place on the 26th, at nine polling-places—Aylsham, Cromer, Holt, North Walsham, Ormesby, Reepham, Stalham, Wells, and Yarmouth. The official declaration was made at Aylsham on the 28th, as follows:—Walpole, 2,630; Lacon, 2,563; Wodehouse, 2,235; Gurdon, 2,078. (See May 17th, 1869.)
DECEMBER.
19.*—“A club bearing the name of the Norwich Football Club has been started, and has already begun to play upon the Norfolk and Norwich Cricket Ground. Mr. Croker has been elected president, and Mr. Edward A. Field treasurer and secretary.” The members made their public début on February 5th, 1869, in a match against King Edward VI. School. (This is the first reference to football, as distinct from the old game of camp ball, made in the columns of the Norfolk Chronicle.)
26.—The pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre was entitled “The White Fawn, or the Loves of Buttercup and Daisy and the Fairies of the Coral Lake.” At Wombwell’s Menagerie (then owned by Mr. Fairgrieve, of Edinburgh) was exhibited, “Prince Bonta Workey, son of the late King Theodore, who held levées in his grand state saloon at stated intervals during the day.”
—Died at his residence, Chapel Field Road, Norwich, Mr. Trivet Allcock, in his 80th year. “He was an active politician and staunch Liberal, and had associated in his earlier life with men like William Taylor and others, whose superior learning formerly made Norwich celebrated.”