25.—Died, at Morningthorpe Rectory, the Rev. Edmund Nelson Rolfe, eldest son of the Rev. Robert Rolfe, rector of Hempnall aged 73. He was first cousin to Lord Chancellor Cranworth. “Of an old Norfolk family, he bore the Christian name of Nelson to mark his relationship to the great Lord Nelson. His mother was a daughter of the Rev. Edmund Nelson, and aunt to Horatio Viscount Nelson.”
28.—The Royal assent was given to “The City of Norwich (Mousehold Heath) Scheme Confirmation.”
MAY.
1.—At St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Rev. Sidney Linton, D.D., vicar of St. Philip’s, Heigham, Norwich, was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Bishop of Riverina, New South Wales. A farewell meeting was held in St. Philip’s parish on May 26th, when the Bishop received parting gifts.
13.—“Cuthbert Bede” (the Rev. Edward Bradley), author of “Verdant Green,” lectured in the Assembly Room, Agricultural Hall, Norwich, on “Modern Humourists.”
19.—In the Court of Appeal, Lords Justices Baggallay, Cotton, and Lindley commenced the hearing of the appeal case, Boswell and others v. Coaks and others. This was an appeal from the judgment of Mr. Justice Fry in the action brought by Mr. J. F. Boswell and Mr. James Baxter on behalf of themselves and of other unsatisfied creditors of Sir Robert John Harvey, deceased, against Isaac Bugg Coaks and others, to have the purchase of a life interest on certain property set aside. Mr. Justice Fry had given judgment for the defendants, and from that judgment the plaintiffs now appealed. On Wednesday, 28th, the sixth day of the hearing, their lordships adjourned until after the Whitsuntide recess. The hearing was resumed on June 12th, and continued until June 16th, when Lord Baggallay said their lordships would consider their judgment. On July 31st judgment was given for the plaintiffs. “The arguments of counsel and examination of witnesses in the appeal occupied the time of the Court for nine days, and it is just over six weeks since the case closed and their lordships announced that they would consider their judgment. It amounts to a complete vindication of the action taken by the plaintiffs, for whom practically the verdict throughout was given, with costs.” (See December 9th, 1885.)
29.—Died, at Wimbledon, the Right Hon. Sir Bartle Frere, G.C.B., G.C.S.I. He belonged to an ancient family established in Norfolk and Suffolk from the time of the Conquest, and was a younger brother of Mr. George Edward Frere, of Roydon, near Diss. Born on March 29th, 1815, he was educated at Bath Grammar School, and at the age of seventeen was nominated to Haileybury; in the entrance examination he came out last but one, but once admitted he set himself to work with such energy that at the end of 1833 be passed from the college as its foremost student into the ranks of the Company’s Civil Service. His name will ever be associated with South African diplomacy.
31.—A great county and city meeting was held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester, for the purpose of taking such measures as might be necessary to induce the Council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England to hold their annual meeting at Norwich in 1886. Resolutions were adopted in furtherance of the objects of the meeting. (See July 12th, 1886.)
JUNE.
10.—A fire occurred at Scole, and resulted in the destruction of the shop of Mr. A. Pettit, and of other property. Mr. Pettit’s loss amounted to upwards of £1,000.
—Died, at Catton, Mrs. Mary Sewell, widow of Mr. Isaac Sewell. She was the daughter of Mr. John Wright, of Buxton, and was born in 1797 at either Felthorpe or Great Yarmouth. Most of her early life was spent at the former place; and in 1818 she married Mr. Sewell, of Yarmouth. Subsequently they removed to the neighbourhood of London, where they resided until 1835. During the next twenty years they lived at Brighton and at Chichester, and then removed to Bath, where they remained till 1867, when Mrs. Sewell went to reside with her son at Catton. Her connection with literature began at a very early period of her life, and her publications were both numerous and popular. The most successful were “Mother’s Last Words” and “Our Father’s Care.” The former was issued by Messrs. Jarrold on November 1st, 1860, and up to January 25th, 1884, upwards of one million copies had been printed and circulated. Similar success attended the latter work, which proved equally popular. Mrs. Sewell was originally a member of the Society of Friends, but in consequence of misgivings she withdrew in 1834, and for a time attended a Congregational chapel in London. On her removal to Brighton she associated herself with the Church of England. “She was no sectarian, but a Christian in the broadest and most genuine sense.”
18.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association opened at Lynn, and was continued on the 19th. Sir Lewis W. Jarvis was president.
26.—Died, at Newmarket Road, Norwich, Mr. John Pymar, aged 76. For more than fifty years he served the city in various capacities, but never aspired to the higher offices. For nearly half a century Mr. Pymar was a member of the Board of Guardians, and for more than forty years an alderman of the city. Throughout his career he was a moderate and consistent Liberal.
—Died, at Prince’s Street, Norwich, Mr. John Quinton, for fifty-five years librarian at the Norfolk and Norwich Literary Institution, aged 72.
28.—Died, at Yarmouth, aged 73, Mr. Charles Cory Aldred, Deputy-Mayor of the borough. In early life he served as naval surgeon in H.M.S. Dreadnought, and was afterwards surgeon-major in the Norfolk Artillery Militia.
29.—The Rev. Frederick Baggallay, who had been elected vicar of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, in succession to the Ven. Archdeacon Nevill, officiated for the first time. He was the fifth son of the Right Hon. Sir Richard Baggallay, Lord Justice of Appeal, and formerly curate at St. George’s, Hanover Square.
JULY.
1.—St. John’s church, Yarmouth, was re-opened after further enlargement, at the cost of £1,500. Within a quarter of a century the building had been five times enlarged.
—Died, at Glaisdale Lodge, Hunstanton, Rhoda Bunn, formerly of Wolferton, in her 104th year. She was born at Beeston-next-Mileham, on February 23rd, 1781, “and shortly after her last birthday was presented by the Queen with her portrait upon receipt of a photograph of the old lady sent by the vicar, the Rev. A. Waller.”
7.—Colonel George Wilson Boileau was presented by the members of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, at Norwich, with a massive silver Monteith bowl “as a mark of respect and esteem on his retirement in 1883, after commanding the battalion fifteen years.”
14.—A large meeting of the Conservative party in West Norfolk was held at Swaffham “with the object of supporting the Lords in their constitutional action with regard to the Franchise Bill.” This was the first of many meetings held throughout the county at which the principle of redistribution was strongly enforced, and Mr. Bright’s famous dictum at Bradford in 1859 quoted: “Repudiate without mercy any Bill of any Government, whatever its franchise, whatever its seeming concessions may be, if it does not redistribute the seats.” At Lynn, on July 22nd, Sir Stafford Northcote, Lord Cranborne, and Mr. Bourke addressed a largely-attended meeting in support of redistribution, and at Norwich, on the 29th, the Earl of Donoughmore, Sir Hardinge Giffard, Q.C., M.P., and Sir R. J. Buxon, M.P., spoke in favour of the action of the House of Lords.
—The newly-erected parish church at Edgefield was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. The dilapidated church of SS. Peter and Paul standing upon the confines of the parish had been demolished, and the materials capable of being re-used were utilised for the erection of the new church upon a more convenient site. The demolition was commenced on November 13th, 1882, and the building of the new church was carried out from plans by Mr. J. D. Steading, of Charlotte Street, Bradford Square, W.C., by Mr. Bartram, builder, of Aylsham, at the cost of £1,900.
30.—Deopham church was re-opened, after restoration by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, of North Walsham.
AUGUST.
9.—Died, at Merton Rectory, the Rev. George Crabbe, B.A. He was a son of the eldest brother of the celebrated poet Crabbe, and was born at Pucklechurch, Somerset, in 1819. Educated at Bury St. Edmund’s School, and at Queen’s College, Cambridge, he was presented to the living of Merton by Lord Walsingham, father of the present peer. Mr. Crabbe married his cousin, the third daughter of the Rev. George Crabbe, younger son of the poet. During the last two or three years of his life he was engaged in examining and arranging the family documents at Merton Hall, and the result of his researches was published in 1883 by direction of the Committee of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society, under the title of “Robert de Grey, Recusant.” This was followed by Part I. of “A Report on the Muniments of Merton Hall, Norfolk,” published in the “Norfolk Antiquarian Miscellany,” edited by Walter Rye. Part II. was nearly completed at the time of his death.
11.—Great heat was experienced on this date. “The heat registered in the shade was 90 degrees at Eaton, and 95 in Park Lane, Norwich.” A violent thunderstorm occurred on the 12th.
13.—Died suddenly, at Brighton railway station, the Duke of Wellington. Born February 3rd, 1807, he succeeded his illustrious father, the greatest of British generals, on September 14th, 1852. As Lord Douro he was elected Conservative member for Aldeburgh in 1830, and retained his seat until 1831. In 1837 he was returned for Norwich, and continued to sit until July, 1852, a few months previous to the death of his father. During the life of Sir Samuel Bignold, with whom he was on terms of the closest intimacy, the Duke of Wellington was a frequent visitor to Norwich, the last occasion being in 1874, when he joined in the celebration of the venerable knight’s 83rd birthday, on October 13th, and on the following evening accompanied him to the annual dinner of the Eldon Club.
21.—Died suddenly, at Cranmer Hall, Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart., aged 63. He was the second son of Major-General Sir John Thomas Jones, K.C.B., aide-de-camp to the Queen (who was created a baronet in 1831), by Catherine Maria, daughter of Mr. Effingham Laurence, of New York. Educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took a wrangler’s degree in 1843, he entered for the Bar, but his future career was decided by the death of his brother, Sir Laurence Jones, who, having held the baronetcy for only two years, was murdered by brigands whilst on a tour in Turkey, in November, 1845. Sir Willoughby, on succeeding to the baronetcy, devoted himself to the pursuits and duties of a country gentleman. He was for nearly thirty years Chairman of the Norfolk Court of Quarter Sessions, chairman of the Norwich centre of the Cambridge Local Examinations, and a member of the Archæological Society and of the Naturalists’ Society. He also took great interest in the Volunteer movement, and in its early days was captain of the 10th Company of Norfolk Rifles. Sir Willoughby served the office of High Sheriff in 1851, and married in 1856 his cousin, Emily, daughter of Mr. Henry Taylor Jones, of Chatham, by whom he left three sons and four daughters. In early life he was a Conservative, and as such sat for Cheltenham in 1847–48; but he afterwards changed his principles, and in 1865, as a Liberal, unsuccessfully contested West Norfolk.
25.—Mr. Edward Terry commenced a three nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Captain Ginger (“Weak Woman”). His other impersonations were Chevalier Walkinshaw (“The Rocket”), Kerry (“Kerry, or Night and Morning”), and Paul Pry.
26.—A long and heated discussion took place at a meeting of the Norwich Town Council on a motion for adopting a recommendation by the Libraries Committee “that the reading room at the Free Library be opened on Sundays from 3 o’clock until 9 p.m., from Michaelmas to Christmas next, by way of experiment.” A strong protest was handed in on behalf of the clergy of the city, and the motion was defeated by 21 votes against 12.
SEPTEMBER.
20.—It was announced that the Mousehold site for the new brigade depot for the Norfolk Regiment had been handed over to the military authorities, and plans were in hand for the erection of the barracks. (See June 18th, 1888.)
29.—A new lifeboat was launched at Cromer, and was named by Mrs. Bond-Cabbell the “Benjamin Bond-Cabbell.” It was built by Messrs. Beeching, of Yarmouth.
OCTOBER.
6.—The Eastern and Midland Railway extension to Holt was inspected and approved by Major-General Hutchinson.
14.—The Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival commenced with an evening performance of “Elijah.” The other productions were: On the 15th “The Redemption,” first time of performance in Norwich; the 16th the dramatic oratorio, “The Rose of Sharon,” the music composed expressly for this Festival by A. C. Mackenzie; the 17th “The Messiah.” Grand miscellaneous concerts were given on the evenings of the 15th, 16th, and 17th. The principal vocalists were Miss Emma Navada, Miss Anna Williams, Madame Patey, Miss Damian, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Maas, Mr. H. E. Thorndike, and Mr. Santley. Mr. Alberto Randegger conducted. The balance, after the payment of expenses, amounted to £953 1s. 3d., of which amount £700 was distributed among the local charities.
15.—The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Norwich from Melton Constable, where they were on a visit to Lord and Lady Hastings, and attended the Musical Festival. Their Royal Highnesses arrived at the City Station of the Eastern and Midlands Railway at 11.40 and were received by the Mayor (Dr. Eade), the Sheriff (Mr. J. Farrar Ranson), and the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. C. R. Gilman), and were escorted to St. Andrew’s Hall by a detachment of the 4th (Queen’s Own) Hussars. During the interval in the performance of “The Redemption” their Royal Highnesses and a distinguished company were entertained to luncheon by the Mayor. On leaving the hall the Prince and Princess visited the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and later returned to Melton Constable. Their Royal Highnesses again visited the city on the evening of the 17th, and attended the Festival concert, at the conclusion of which they proceeded to Melton Constable, and ended their visit to Lord and Lady Hastings on the 18th.
NOVEMBER.
6.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference commenced its sittings at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich. The proceedings ended on the 7th.
7.—The new building erected on St. James’s Road by the Corporation of Lynn, for the reception of the Stanley Library, was opened. The Bishop of Carlisle (Dr. Harvey Goodwin, son of Mr. Charles Goodwin, of Lynn) delivered an inaugural address, in the course of which he reviewed the changes and improvements in his native town since he last visited it twenty-five years previously.
10.—Mr. John Hotblack was elected Mayor and Mr. William Howard Dakin appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
18.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee reported that counsel was of opinion “that the Corporation should for the present hold its hand and not make any further distribution among the freemen of the funds arising from the Town Close Estate.” The recommendation of the Committee “that the question of payment remain in abeyance until the next meeting,” was adopted by 45 votes against 11. At an adjourned meeting held on December 16th “to consider the case submitted to the Solicitor-General and Mr. Asquith,” Mr. Hackblock moved the adoption of the recommendation of the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee “that the City Treasurer be directed to carry the amounts of the rents of the Town Close Estate in his hands to a separate account, with the view of affording an opportunity for obtaining a judicial decision as to the rights of the freemen to the estate.” Mr. Joseph Stanley moved “That the freemen be paid as usual.” The amendment was defeated by 26 votes against 21. On the adjournment of the Council a writ issued by Mr. Stanley on behalf of four freemen, and directed against the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors and her Majesty’s Attorney General, was served upon the Town Clerk. It claimed for the freemen a declaration that the Corporation was seized and entitled to the receipt of the rents and profits of the Town Close Estate upon trust only for the benefit of the plaintiffs and others the freemen of the city, and an account of the rents and profits of the estate which had been received by the Corporation. The appointment of a receiver was asked for, and in addition the plaintiffs sought an injunction to restrain the Corporation from admitting to the freedom of the city by servitude any persons who had served only under articles of clerkship to a solicitor for not exceeding five years, and had not served seven years’ apprenticeship to a freeman trader. The Corporation was also desired to furnish an account of all persons so admitted from September 9th, 1835, it being contended by the freemen that the profession of law was not a trade or business as required by the Act, and that no man could be admitted under less than a seven years’ apprenticeship. (See March 21st, 1887.)
30.—Died, at Costessey Park, the Right Hon. Henry Valentine Baron Stafford. He was a son of George William, eighth lord (in whose favour an attainder was reversed in 1824), by his first wife, Frances Henrietta, youngest daughter and co-heiress of Mr. Edward Sulyarde, of Wetherdon, Suffolk, and was born January 2nd, 1802. His lordship was twice married, first on February 13th, 1829, to Julia, second daughter of Mr. Edward C. Howard, F.R.S., and niece of the 12th Duke of Norfolk, who died in November, 1856; and, secondly, in September, 1859, to Emma Eliza, daughter of Mr. Frederick S. Gerard, of Aspull House, Lincolnshire, and niece of Robert Lord Gerard, by whom he was survived. He was one of the first Roman Catholics who sat in the House of Commons after the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill, when he was chosen member for Pontefract. On the occasion of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Queen of Denmark, and the Duke of Edinburgh to Norwich, in 1866, Lord Stafford entertained them at Costessey Park. In recognition of his munificent liberality on that occasion a subscription was inaugurated by the Corporation of Norwich for a full-length portrait of his lordship, which was placed in St. Andrew’s Hall. Lord Stafford was the courtliest of gentlemen and the most liberal of landlords.
DECEMBER.
2.—Died, at Bacton Grange, North Walsham, in his 67th year, Mr. William Partridge Cubitt. He was born at Bacton, where the Cubitt family had been for many generations tenants under the Wodehouses. As a coal merchant he owned ships which traded between Bacton and the North. For many years he was captain of the Bacton lifeboat crew, and had received medals and certificates for courageously saving life on the Norfolk coast. On one occasion he swam his horse out to a wreck and brought the sailors to shore hanging to the stirrup-leathers of his saddle. “He was not only a good sailor, a good farmer, and a sharp and wise merchant, but he was also a splendid horseman across country.” In politics Mr. Cubitt was strongly Liberal.
2.—A meeting was held at King’s Lynn, at which was formed for West Norfolk a branch of the National Fair Trade League. The principles of the League were, for a time, advocated in this and other parts of Norfolk, but the movement was short-lived.
3.—Died, at the Close, Norwich, Mr. John Orfeur, in his 80th year. He was a son of Lieutenant Abdiel Orfeur, R.N., of Great Yarmouth, a descendant of the family of Orfeur in Cumberland. By business a timber merchant, he devoted his leisure time to scientific pursuits, was one of the promoters of the Norwich Geological Society, and of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, and a warm supporter of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.
6.—The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture adopted a resolution affirming its belief that the long-continued depression in agriculture injuriously affected all other industries, and its desire that a Committee of the two Houses of Parliament should enquire into the causes of the distress and recommend such practical remedies as might be found advisable. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., moved a similar resolution at a meeting of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, on December 10th.
16.—Died, at Houghton Hall, his seat in Norfolk, the Marquis of Cholmondeley. His lordship, who was born August 31st, 1800, was the younger of the two sons of George James, fourth earl and first Marquis of Cholmondeley, by his marriage with the Lady Georgina Charlotte Bertie, second daughter and co-heiress of Peregrine, third Duke of Ancaster. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, and at the age of 22, as Lord Henry Cholmondeley, he entered the House of Commons as one of the members for the pocket borough of Castle Rising, in the place of his brother, Lord Rocksavage, who was called to the Upper House in his father’s Barony of Newburgh. In 1832 Castle Rising was disfranchised under Lord John Russell’s Reform Act, and Lord Henry remained out of Parliament until 1852, when he was returned as one of the members for South Hampshire. In May, 1870, on his elder brother’s death, he succeeded to the Marquisate and the rest of the family honours, and to the estates of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, and of Houghton Hall, Norfolk. He was an excellent and considerate landlord, and did his best to encourage agricultural improvements on his estates.
17.—An extensive fire occurred in the drapery establishment of Mr. Alfred Jermyn, High Street, Lynn. A range of buildings was entirely destroyed. The premises were valued at £6,500, and the stock in trade at £20,000.
26.—Messrs. T. W. Robertson and H. Brace’s Comedy Company appeared at Norwich Theatre in the farcical pieces, “Nita’s First” and “My Milliner’s Bill.” At Messrs. John Sanger and Son’s Circus, at the Agricultural Hall, was produced the Christmas spectacle, “Aladdin, or an Old Lamp with a New Face.”
29.—Died, at Bridewell Alley, Norwich, aged 53, Mr. Arthur Dale Ventnor, a well-known portrait painter.
30.—Died, at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Mr. Richard Makilwaine Phipson, F.S.A., aged 57. He commenced practice as an architect in London, and in 1849 took an office at Ipswich. In 1859 he was appointed to the post of County Surveyor of Norfolk, and afterwards became one of the diocesan surveyors under the Ecclesiastical Dilapidations Act, 1871. Much of the work of church restoration carried out during the quarter of a century preceding his death had been entrusted to him, and he was the architect of the Norwich City Asylum. Mr. Phipson was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, and took great interest in the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society.
1885.
JANUARY.
2.—The Hon. T. W. H. Pelham, one of the Commissioners appointed to inquire as to the boundaries to be assigned to the divisions of the several counties under the Redistribution of Seats Bill, attended at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the purpose of receiving suggestions and of hearing objections as to the constitution of the divisions of the county of Norfolk. On February 28th it was announced that the Commissioners had issued their report and had determined the areas of the six divisions into which the county would be divided, with one member to each. These were known as South, South-West, East, North, Mid, and North-West. Yarmouth and King’s Lynn were allotted one member each.
6.—Died, at Cathedral Street, Norwich, Mrs. Emily Stannard, widow of Joseph Stannard, artist, and daughter of Daniel Coppin, aged 82. Mrs. Stannard was a clever painter of fruit, flowers, and still life. In 1821 she was presented with the large gold medal of the Society of Arts for an original painting of fruit, and in 1828 received a gold medal for a painting of game.
8.—The coming of age of Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward of Wales, eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was marked by great rejoicings not only at Sandringham, but throughout the county. Addresses and gifts were presented by the tenantry, and by the Corporations of Norwich and Lynn; Sanger’s circus company from Norwich gave performances for the amusement of the villagers; and in the evening a grand ball took place at Sandringham House. The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. John Hotblack) invited 600 children to a fancy dress ball given at St. Andrew’s Hall in honour of the event.
15.—The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended at St. Andrew’s Hall to inaugurate an art loan exhibition in aid of St. Peter Mancroft church restoration fund, and of the churchyard improvement. The exhibition remained open for three weeks, and realised a balance of £517.
21.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before the Lord Chief Justice, Mr. Hamon le Strange brought an action against the Corporation of Lynn for the purpose of determining the boundary between his fishery and the fishery of the Corporation, which were coterminous. It was alleged that the defendants wrongfully cut away and removed two buoys belonging to the plaintiff. The defendants denied the act, but subsequently justified it on the ground that the buoys were an interference with the fishery of the Corporation. The hearing concluded on the 24th, when the jury found for the plaintiff and allowed 40s. damages in order to carry costs. The defendants gave notice of motion for a new trial on the ground of misdirection of the jury. On June 24th the application was made in the Queen’s Beach Division, and was refused.
21.—Died, at All Saints’ Green, Norwich, Thomas Frederick Armes, bugle-major of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Formerly in the 4th Light Dragoons, he took part in the famous light cavalry charge at Balaclava, in which he was wounded and left for dead on the field.
26.—The Prince of Wales attended the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk Freemasons at Lynn, and was present at the banquet presided over by Lord Suffield.
29.—A widow, named Elizabeth Everitt, 50 years of age, of Wormegay, near Downham Market, was murdered by her son, William Everitt. The murderer was certified to be insane, and was removed to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.
—Died, at Hill House, Surlingham, Mr. Frederick Anthony Mills, in his 85th year. Born at Pulham St. Mary, where for many years his father practised as a surgeon, he received his early education under Valpy at Norwich Grammar School, and was one of the last survivors of the Valpeian Club. A taste for natural history and anatomical investigation rendered his studies when a pupil at Guy’s both congenial and promising. For some time he practised surgery in Norwich in partnership with Mr. Cadge, and after the death of his wife, settled at Surlingham with his old friend and fellow-sportsman, Mr. Robert Pratt, and indulged in his favourite pursuits of fishing and shooting. Mr. Mills was a Liberal of the old school, “but his contempt for mere party triumphs led him to speak with more pride than regret of his never having been a member of the Norwich Town Council.”
FEBRUARY.
2.—Died, at Surrey Street, Norwich, Mrs. Louisa Mary Barwell, widow of Mr. John Barwell. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Mackenzie Bacon, and was born March 4th, 1800. In early life she showed great taste and talent in music, became one of the finest amateur singers of her day, and assisted her father in editing the “Musical Review.” In 1824 she married Mr. John Barwell, and soon afterwards contributed articles to the “Journal of Education” and other similar periodicals. Mrs. Barwell in 1833 published her first book, “Little Lessons for Little Learners.” Her works on educational subjects numbered fourteen.
11.—The “Tichborne Claimant” (who was released from Pentonville Prison on October 20th, 1884) appeared at Sanger’s Circus, Norwich, and addressed the audience on his life and adventures. He made a second appearance on the 12th.
16.—Sir J. W. Lubbock, M.P., and Mr. H. L. Courtney, M.P., at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, propounded the principles advocated by the Proportional Representation Society.
MARCH.
5.—A “service of humiliation” was held in the nave of Norwich Cathedral, “with prayers for our nation in general and specially for our soldiers and sailors in Egypt.”
—A salmon trout, weighing 4¾ lbs., was captured at Pull’s Ferry, Norwich.
7.—At the Norfolk Adjourned Quarter Sessions, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, Mr. T. H. B. Heslop of Thames Ditton, Surrey, was appointed County Surveyor, in place of Mr. R. M. Phipson, deceased.
APRIL.
6.—An English Opera Company, including Mr. Faulkner Leigh, Madame Cave-Ashton, Madame Campobello, and Mr. William Parkinson, commenced a season at Norwich Theatre in the operas of “La Sonnambula,” “The Waterman,” “Il Trovatore,” “Pygmalion and Galatea,” “Maritana,” &c. Sir Julius Benedict was announced as conductor, but in consequence of his serious illness his name was withdrawn.
—The annual conference of the National Union of Elementary Teachers opened at the Lecture Hall, Prince’s Street, Norwich, and concluded on the 9th.
19.—Died, at his residence, Heigham, Norwich, aged 84, the Rev. Frederick Field, LL.D. He graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained the Tyrwhitt Hebrew Scholarship, and took his Bachelor’s degree as tenth wrangler and Chancellor’s medallist. He was afterwards elected to a Fellowship, and in 1843 was instituted to the rectory of Reepham, which he held till 1863. In 1875 he was created an honorary LL.D. of Cambridge University. Dr. Field was a member of the Old Testament Revision Committee, and the editor of “Barrow’s Treatise on the Pope’s Supremacy,” and of several learned works published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Clarendon Press, Oxford, and the Cambridge University Press.
21.—Died, at Hill House, Dersingham, Captain William D’Urban Blyth, late 14th Hussars, aged 59. He was a member of an old Norfolk family, and joined his regiment, then the 14th Light Dragoons, in India in 1847. He served through the Punjaub Campaign of 1848 and 1849; and with the Central India Field Force, under Sir Hugh Rose, during the Mutiny. Captain Blyth for some time held the post of riding master in his regiment, and in addition superintended the training of 1,200 remounts for cavalry during the Crimean War. He took part in thirty-six separate engagements, and was never once wounded. On retiring from the Army he settled at Weasenham Hall, his birthplace, and subsequently at Dersingham, where he became a warm supporter of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, and a justice of the peace.
MAY.
1.—A “habitation” of the Primrose League was inaugurated at Holt at a meeting held under the presidency of Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart. This is the first record of the formation of a branch of the organization in Norfolk. The preliminary meeting was followed by a great gathering held in the same town on May 12th. Other “habitations” were quickly formed in various parts of the county.
9.—The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture discussed the question of inaugurating a series of agricultural experiments. The committee to whom the matter had been referred reported in favour of the proposal, which had the warm support of the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Leicester. The report was adopted, and it was decided to commence experiments in the autumn. An address on the subject was delivered by Sir Thomas Acland, M.P.
20.—The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 21st inspected the Norfolk Artillery, in which Prince Albert Victor was serving at the time. On the 22nd the Prince of Wales was to have visited Norwich for the purpose of inspecting the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, but the parade was abandoned in consequence of the heavy rain. A ball given at Yarmouth Town Hall in the evening by the officers of the Eastern District Brigade, was attended by their Royal Highnesses. The Prince of Wales left for Sandringham on the 23rd.
21.—Died, aged 78, Mr. Jeremiah Colman, of Carshalton Park, senior partner in the firm of Messrs. J. and J. Colman. He was one of the twelve sons of Mr. Robert Colman, and a member of the cricket team of eleven brothers.
JUNE.
3.—The Derby Stakes were won at Epsom by Lord Hastings’ Norfolk-bred horse, Melton, which beat Mr. Brodrick-Cloete’s Paradox and Mr. Childwick’s Royal Hampton. On September 16th Melton won the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster by six lengths.
4.—A festival of the Choir Benevolent Fund took place at Norwich Cathedral.
13.—The Queen, it was announced, had conferred the honour of knighthood upon Dr. Eade, of Norwich. The Norwich Town Council on the 16th passed a vote of congratulation to Sir Peter Eade, who on August 1st was presented to her Majesty at Osborne.
17.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Watton, and was continued on the 18th. Lord Walsingham was president.
JULY.
4.—Captain Smith, East Surrey Regiment, son of Mr. Henry Smith, of Ellingham Hall, was enthusiastically welcomed on his return after active service in Afghanistan and the Soudan. Captain Smith entered the Army in 1878, and went immediately to the front. He served in the Afghan War under Sir Donald Stewart, and in the Soudan under General Graham, and took part in the operations at Hasheen and Tamai. While at Suakim he contracted fever and was invalided home.
9.—The Merton flock of pure-bred Southdown sheep, the property of Lord Walsingham, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. The 541 lots revised £3,254 12s. 6d.
—Died, at Catton, aged 82, Mr. William Jary Cubitt, who served the office of Sheriff of Norwich in 1865–66.
10.—Died, at Thorpland Hall, Fakenham, aged 83, the Rev. Henry James Lee Warner. He was born at Stanton St. Quintin, Wiltshire, where his father was then curate. Soon afterwards his grandfather succeeded to the Walsingham Abbey estates, and in 1807 his father accepted the charge of the adjoining parishes of Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. Having attended Aylsham Grammar School he proceeded to Rugby, and thence to St. John’s College, Cambridge, where, in 1825, he took double honours in classics and mathematics, being fourth Senior Optime and in the second class of the Classical Tripos. After residing at the Temple and reading for the Bar, he travelled for some time on the Continent, and on returning to England read for Holy Orders, and was ordained at Norwich by Bishop Bathurst. Mr. Lee Warner first held a curacy at Canterbury, and in 1834 succeeded his father in the parishes of Great and Little Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. From conscientious motives he resigned his plurality of livings and thenceforth devoted himself to the more populous parish of Little Walsingham on a stipend of £100 per annum. Mr. Lee Warner largely identified himself with Church work in the diocese, and in 1863 was appointed an Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. He was a well-known archæologist. “A man of singular modesty, of simple faith and self-denying habits, he was not only a strong teetotaller by conviction, but also in many ways opposed to what he considered excessive luxury.”
10.—The North Elmham herd of red polled cattle, purchased and bred since 1875 by Mr. Thomas Fulcher, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. Forty-six cows and heifers realised a total of 1,077 guineas, and nine bulls 165 guineas.
21.—A terrible disaster occurred at Caister. At about midnight a vessel was observed in distress near the Barber Sand, and the yawl Zephyr, manned by a crew of fifteen hands, was launched. The yawl had not proceeded far when she struck a sunken wreck, and her side being ripped away, she sank rapidly, and eight of her crew were drowned.
22.—Died, at Yarmouth, Alfred George Stannard, artist, aged 57. He was the eldest son of Alfred Stannard, of Norwich, a nephew of “Joe” Stannard and brother of Miss Stannard, the painter of fruit and flowers.
25.—The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment went into camp at Yarmouth.
AUGUST.
1.—The Norfolk Agricultural Association decided to merge with the Royal Agricultural Society in 1886 and to hold no county show that year.
6.—In the House of Commons, Mr. J. A. Picton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was a fact that, as reported in the London papers, the Rev. Coker Adams, rector of Saham Toney, had on Sunday, July 26th, pronounced in his parish church sentence of excommunication against Joseph Payne, a parishioner, aged 82, because of his persistent neglect of the Church’s ordinances and refusal of her ministrations, and enquired whether notice would be taken of his illegal action? Sir Richard Cross replied that he saw this account with extreme surprise and regret, and he thought it right the sentence should be sent to the Bishop, who, he had no doubt, would make enquiry into the matter.
7.—Died, at Rackheath Park, Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart. A prominent member of a well-known county family, Sir Henry for many years occupied a distinguished position. Born in 1802, he was educated at Eton, and afterwards served for several years in the 1st Dragoons, and on succeeding to the baronetcy, on the death of his father in 1855, he entered with considerable ardour into politics. Just previously he had been returned without opposition as one of the representatives of East Norfolk on the retirement of Mr. Edmond Wodehouse. On the dissolution of Parliament in 1857 Major-General Windham, in the flush of the fame he had gained in the Crimea, was brought forward for East Norfolk with Sir E. N. Buxton, and there being divided opinions in the Conservative camp, Mr. Burroughes and Sir Henry Stracey declined to contest the seat. On the death of Sir E. N. Buxton in June, 1858, Sir Henry was again nominated, and was defeated by the Hon. Wenman Coke. In the following year he was returned with Sir Edmund Lacon for Yarmouth, defeating Mr. (afterwards Sir E. W.) Watkin and Mr. Young, and sat for that borough until 1865. In 1868 he stood for Norwich in opposition to Sir W. Russell and Mr. Tillett, and was returned at the head of the poll, but was unseated on petition. In 1874 he again came forward, in conjunction with Mr. Huddleston, was unsuccessful, and thereafter took no share in polities. Sir Henry married, in 1835, Charlotte, only daughter and heiress of Mr. George Denne, of the Paddock, Canterbury. He served the office of High Sheriff in 1871, and was a Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for the county of Norfolk.
18.—Died, at Hingham, Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., aged 61. He married, on December 19th, 1850, Sophia Jane, daughter of the Rev. Clement Chevallier, rector of Badington and Cransford, Suffolk, and widow of Mr. Isaac Jermy Jermy, who, with his father, Mr. Isaac Jermy, fell a victim to the murderer, James Blomfield Rush. “The Beevor family, which, with their connections, are very numerous, are descended from the Rev. William Beevor, rector of South Walsham and Rockland in 1659 (the eldest son of Abraham Beevor, of Heckmondwike, Yorkshire), whose grandson, Sir Thomas, eldest son of Thomas Beevor, of Norwich, and Hester, daughter of John Sharpe, of Norwich, was created a baronet in 1784.” The subject of this notice was educated for the Bar, but in his latter years devoted himself to the supervision of the business of the Norwich Union Life Assurance Society, of which he was chairman of the directors, and was at the same time a director of the Norwich Union Fire Office. His eldest son, Thomas Edward, died to 1879, and the second son, Hugh Reeve, succeeded to the baronetcy.
24.—Norwich Theatre was opened under the management of Mr. Fred Morgan. The inaugural performance, “In Chancery,” was given by Mr. Edward Terry’s company. On succeeding evenings “Weak Woman” and “The Rocket” were produced, and Mr. Terry also appeared in the character of James Blodder in an adaptation of Thackeray’s “Jeames’s Diary.” Several improvements had been effected in the Theatre, which had undergone much-needed redecoration.
SEPTEMBER.
4.—The 4th Queen’s Own Hussars marched from Norwich Cavalry Barracks, en route to Edinburgh and Glasgow.
14.—The first exhibition by members of the Norwich Art Circle (formed in the month of February) was opened at the Old Bank of England Chambers, Queen Street.
25.—The annual congress of the homœopathic practitioners of Great Britain was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Dr. Herbert Nankivell, of Bournemouth.
—Mr. Arthur Coyte, of Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, died from gunshot wounds accidentally inflicted whilst shooting on the Stratton Strawless estate on the previous day. Mr. Coyte, who was the second son of the Rev. James Coyte, rector of Polstead, Suffolk, was 53 years of age.
30.—Died, at Norwich, aged 91 years, the Rev. Henry Banfather. He was educated at Norwich Grammar School under Forster and Valpy, by the latter of whom he was made an assistant master. On Valpy’s death he took private pupils, and was most successful in obtaining candidates for Holy Orders. He was then appointed by the Corporation headmaster of the school, a position which he held for many years before his retirement to the living of Sprowston.
OCTOBER.
7.—Died, at his chambers, Great Ormond Street, London, Mr. Robert Hindry Mason, aged 61 years. Mr. Mason had led a busy life as a journalist. He established, edited, and conducted, from 1852 to 1854, the “Greenwich, and West Kent Observer,” owned the “Sunderland Times” and “Sheffield Advertiser,” and subsequently became proprietor of the “London and Eton Gazette.” Some years previously, when a resident in Norwich, he published a work, entitled “Norfolk Photographically Illustrated,” and at the time of his death was engaged upon his best known work, the “History of Norfolk.”
12.—A great Conservative demonstration was held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, at which a requisition, signed by 5,000 electors, was presented to Mr. Harry Bullard, inviting him to contest the representation of the city in the Conservative interest. Lieutenant-Colonel Bignold presided, and was supported by the Earl of Dunraven, Under Secretary for the Colonies, and by many prominent leaders of the party in county and city. In reply to the requisition Mr. Bullard said, “My answer is unhesitatingly ‘Yes.’” This meeting was said to have been the largest ever held in a public building in Norwich.
19.—Lord Randolph Churchill addressed a large meeting of the Conservative party at Lynn in support of the candidature of Lord Henry Bentinck for North-West Norfolk. On the 20th Lord Randolph proceeded to Merton Hall as the guest of Lord and Lady Walsingham.
24.—The Channel Squadron, consisting of the Minotaur (flagship), Agincourt, Monarch, Sultan, Iron Duke, and Leander, arrived in Yarmouth Roads, and anchored between the Britannia and Wellington Piers. Admiral Fellowes was in command, and the officers and men numbered 3,750. The squadron sailed for Deal on November 4th.
31.—Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., was presented, at the Fishmongers’ Hall, London, with a valuable service of silver plate, subscribed for by many fishermen, boatowners, and others in recognition of his successful efforts to serve the fishing industry of the United Kingdom. The presentation was made by the Prince of Wales, who was accompanied by Prince Albert Victor.
NOVEMBER.
4.—The 13th Hussars, who formed the principal cavalry contingent of Sir Charles Warren’s Bechuanaland expeditionary force, arrived at Norwich by two special trains. A portion of the regiment had proceeded to Colchester. Lieutenant-Colonel Miller was in command of the headquarter troops, which numbered 16 officers and 240 men.
9.—Mr. John Gurney, of Sprowston Hall, was elected Mayor, and Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
12.—Madame Albani gave a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in aid of the Jenny Lind Infirmary. She received the voluntary assistance of Miss Damian, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Santley, Lady Benedict (solo pianist), M. Carl Walther (solo violinist), Dr. Bunnett (organist), and the Norwich Gatehouse Choir. Signor Bisaccia conducted, and the proceeds amounted to £529 14s. 8d.
13.—Died, at Milgrove House, Fulham, Thomas Heron Jones, seventh Viscount Ranelagh. He was born at Fulham in 1812, and succeeded his father in 1820. His lordship took a prominent part in originating and forming the Volunteer force in 1859. For some time he served in the 1st Life Guards and in the 7th Fusiliers. By his death the title, which was created in 1628, became extinct. He was succeeded in his estates (principally at St. Faith’s, Norwich) by his cousin, Alexander Montgomery, son of Vice-Admiral the Hon. Alexander Montgomery Jones, son of the fourth Viscount. Lord Ranelagh served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk in 1868.
13.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Stephen, Robert Goodale, 45, gardener, was indicted for the wilful murder of his wife, Bathsheba Goodale, at Walsoken, on September 15th. He was found guilty and sentenced to death. The execution took place at Norwich Castle on November 30th. Berry, of Bradford, was the executioner. “As the clock of an adjacent church struck the hour of eight, Berry, who was stationed behind the prisoner with the lever in his hand, asked him, ‘Do you wish to say anything else before you go?’ to which Goodale replied in the negative, and before the eighth stroke had sounded, the lever was pulled, the trap-door fell, and the prisoner, who weighed 15 stone, and was 5 ft. 11 in. in height, and was allowed a drop just short of six feet, disappeared from view. To the horror of the bystanders the rope rebounded, and it was thought that by some means it had become unfastened. On looking into the pit below the scaffold the spectators observed the body lying on the ground, with the head still enveloped in the white cap, completely severed from the trunk.” At the subsequent inquest the jury found that death was caused by hanging, and “they imputed no blame to anyone for what had occurred.”
19.—A desperate encounter took place between a couple of tigers at Bostock and Wombwell’s menagerie at Norwich. One animal seized the other, named Tippo, by the throat, and although every effort was made to separate them, Tippo was laid lifeless upon the floor. The victim’s windpipe was crushed, and death resulted from suffocation. The animal, a fine specimen of the Royal Bengal tiger, was valued at £400.
23.—The General Election under the extended franchise commenced on this date. The nomination of candidates for the representation of Norwich took place at the Guildhall, before the Sheriff (Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul). The following were proposed:—Mr. Harry Bullard, of Hellesdon House (C.); Mr. Jeremiah James Colman, of Carrow House (L.); and Mr. Robert Samuel Wright, of 1, Paper Buildings, Temple, London, barrister-at-law (L.). The polling took place on the 25th, between the hours of eight a.m. and eight p.m. “The Market Place was the scene of a regular carnival. The principal form of practical joking was the discharge of small bags of flour at any prominent person who chanced to run the gauntlet of the crowd. No ill-temper was displayed, and probably no election ever took place in Norwich where so little animosity was exhibited. We think the keeping of the poll open until eight o’clock was generally admitted to be a mistake, as unnecessarily prolonging the excitement incidental to an election where party feeling runs high.” At the close of the poll the ballot boxes were conveyed to the Guildhall, where the counting immediately commenced, and the result was declared at 12.45 as follows:—Bullard, 7,279; Colman, 6,666; Wright, 6,251. On December 21st a petition was lodged against the return of Mr. Bullard. (See March 17th, 1886.)
—At Yarmouth, on the re-enfranchisement of the borough, Sir Henry Wheatley Tyler (C.) and Captain Cecil W. Norton (L.) were nominated. The polling, which took place on the 24th, resulted as follows:—Tyler, 2,661; Norton, 2,476.
—The Right Hon. Robert Bourke (C.) and Sir W. ffolkes, Bart. (L.) were nominated for King’s Lynn. The polling on the 25th resulted—Bourke, 1,472; ffolkes, 1,302.
24.—For South Norfolk Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Bart. (C), and Mr. Francis Taylor, of Diss (L.), were nominated. The polling took place on the 27th, and the result was declared at the Shirehall, Norwich, on the 28th as follows:—Taylor, 4,580; Buxton, 3,588.
—The candidates nominated for East Norfolk were Mr. Edward Birkbeck (C.) and Mr. Philip Falk, of Kensington Palace Gardens, London (L.). The polling took place on the 30th, and the result was declared at the Shirehall, Norwich, on December 1st as follows:—Birkbeck, 4,682; Falk, 4,459.
25.—The nomination of candidates for North Norfolk took place at Aylsham. The nominees were Mr. Samuel Hoare, of Cliff House, Cromer (C), and Mr. Herbert Hardy Cozens-Hardy, Q.C., of 50, Ladbroke Grove, Notting Hill, London (L.). The polling was on December 1st, and the declaration, at Aylsham, on December 2nd. Result:—Cozens-Hardy, 5,028; Hoare, 3,342.
27.—The nomination of candidates for South-West Norfolk took place at Swaffham. The candidates were Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst (C.) and Sir W. Brampton Gurdon (L.). The polling was on December 4th, and the declaration on December 5th:—Amherst, 4,096; Gurdon, 3,776.
30.—The candidates for North-West Norfolk—Lord Henry Bentinck (C.) and Mr. Joseph Arch (L.), were nominated at Lynn. The latter, described as the president of the National Agricultural Labourers’ Union, was nominated by Sir Lawrence Jones, Bart. The polling, on December 8th, was declared on December 9th as follows:—Arch, 4,461; Bentinck, 3,821.
DECEMBER.
3.—Mid Norfolk election, candidates, Mr. Ailwyn E. Fellowes (C.) and Mr. R. T. Gurdon (L.), took place. The poll was declared on the 4th at East Dereham—Gurdon, 5,275; Fellowes, 2,872.
9.—The parish church of East Dereham, partially restored at the cost of £2,134, by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, of North Walsham, under the supervision of Mr. E. P. Willins, was re-opened. The eighteenth century plaster, which concealed the Early English roof of the nave, was removed, and the unsightly old galleries, which blocked up the north and south aisles and the west end, were demolished. The Perpendicular font was transferred from the north transept to its original position near the west door. Colonel Bulwer was chairman of the Restoration Committee.
—In the House of Lords, before Lords Selborne, Blackburn, Bramwell, Watson, and Fitzgerald, was commenced the hearing of the appeal, Coaks and others v. Boswell and others. This was an appeal from the judgment of Lords Justices Baggallay, Cotton, and Lindley. On Monday, 14th, the fourth day, the case for the respondents closed, and their lordships reserved judgment. (See February 22nd, 1886.)
20.—The new reredos at the church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, designed by Mr. Seddon, and executed by Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter, was formally dedicated. It was described as “an adaptation of the Norfolk screen, with its carved oak and painted panel work.”
26.—Miss May Holt’s company appeared at Norwich Theatre in her “local drama,” entitled, “Every Man for Himself.” “Little Red Riding Hood” was produced at Sanger’s Circus at the Agricultural Hall.
1886.
JANUARY.
2.—The appointment of Dr. Bates, of Edinburgh, as organist and master of the choristers at Norwich Cathedral, was announced.
7.—The county magistrates decided to hire of Mr. James C. Snelling the mansion known as Eaton Hall as lodgings for the judges of Assize, at the yearly rental of £250. On January 20th, Mr. Justice Hawkins, after delivering his charge to the Grand Jury at the Norfolk Assizes, said he could not offer the magistrates his gratitude for their endeavours to provide for the comfort of her Majesty’s judges, unless, indeed, they thought he and his marshal had the habits and tastes of a Polar bear and an Arctic fox. Eaton Hall was well fitted for one or both, as it was simply a bleak house in a frozen waste; it was redolent of putty and paint; workmen were tapping just beyond the dining-room door in precisely the same way as he should expect to hear tapping in the back manufactory of an undertaker’s shop; and the rooms were furnished with the view to economy and discomfort with a show of luxury skilfully but not very judiciously combined. On November 15th Mr. Justice Field, in concluding his charge to the Grand Jury, said he found the accommodation at Eaton Hall exceedingly nice and extremely comfortable, and he added, amid laughter, he had not seen any Polar bears or Arctic foxes.
10.—The jubilee of the Norwich District of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was celebrated by a special service held at the Cathedral, and attended by several hundred members, and by the Mayor and Corporation. “The Order was introduced into Norfolk in the year 1835 by five woolsorters from the North of England—John Raven, Walter Meldrum, Thomas Dack, Benjamin Fearnside, and Thomas Lambert. They were the founders of the mother lodge of the district, the Travellers’ Rest, the first place of meeting being at the New Brewery, Pockthorpe.” The Mayor (Mr. John Gurney) entertained to dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall, on May 18th, upwards of 900 members of the Order.
19.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, an application was received from the Norwich School Board for the consent of the Corporation to an assignment of the lease of the Dutch Church from the trustees to the Board, with the view of converting the building into a higher grade school. The Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society addressed to the Council a strong protest against the application, which was refused by 35 votes against 12. On April 21st a meeting was held, under the presidency of the Mayor, at the Old Bank Buildings, at which it was moved by Mr. Colman, M.P., seconded by Mr. Harry Bullard, and unanimously agreed, “That the provisional contract entered into by Mr. Frederic Oddin Taylor in February last for the purchase of the lease of the Dutch Church be adopted, and that a scheme be formulated assuring the future inalienable use of the building as an adjunct to and in connection with St. Andrew’s Hall, subject to existing rights.” It was further decided to raise by public subscription the sum required (£800) to present the building, “hereafter to be called Blackfriars’ Hall,” to the city after proper renovation. The Town Council on June 29th passed a resolution expressing warm appreciation of the efforts made by Mr. F. Oddin Taylor, and received a deputation composed of the gentlemen who had taken part in the movement, from whom they accepted Blackfriars’ Hall as a gift to the citizens.
21.—Died, at Child’s Hill House, Hampstead, Mr. Joseph Hoare, in his 72nd year. He was the fourth son of Mr. Samuel Hoare, banker, of London, by his marriage with Louisa, daughter of Mr. John Gurney of Earlham. Mr. Hoare, who was educated at Trinity College, Cambridge, was a Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Middlesex, and was president of the Hampstead Conservative Association. In May, 1859, he was returned to the House of Commons as member for Hull, but was unseated on petition. He married, in 1847, Rachel Juliana, second daughter of Mr. Charles Barclay, M.P. For many years it was his custom to spend the summer at Cromer, where he was known as a generous supporter of charitable and religious institutions.
22.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Hawkins, John Thurston, 30, labourer, was indicted for the wilful murder of Henry Springall, an old man, at Hingham, on December 5th, 1885. The prisoner was found guilty, and received sentence of death. The execution took place at Norwich Castle on February 10th. The culprit was a nephew of Henry Webster, who was hanged at the same prison on May 1st, 1876, for the murder of his wife at Cranworth.
—St. Cuthbert’s church, Sprowston, erected at the cost of £2,000, was opened by the Bishop of Norwich. The building was designed by Mr. A. R. G. Flemming, of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, and the contractor was Mr. G. E. Hawes, of Norwich.
26.—A violent explosion, caused by an escape of gas, occurred at Victoria Station, Norwich.
FEBRUARY.
2.—Died, at St. Clement’s Hill, Catton, the Rev. Richard Rigg, M.A., for forty-two years rector of St. Clement’s, and some time rector of St. Michael-at-Coslany and St. Edmund the King, Norwich, in his 81st year. A clergyman of the old school, he was a warm adherent to the Evangelical party, was for forty years secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Auxiliary of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and one of the founders of the Norwich Church of England Young Men’s Society.
—Mr. John Ellis, of Sprowston, received from the Treasury a grant of £150 “in consideration of his services to the nation in having been the founder of the first juvenile reformatory in England, that of Saltley, near Birmingham.”
6.—It was announced that her Majesty the Queen had conferred upon Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., the honour of a baronetcy.
7.—Died, at Brockheath, Salisbury, General William Custance, C.B., colonel of the 11th Hussars, in his 75th year. The second son of Mr. Hamilton Thomas Custance, of Weston House, he entered the Army in 1831, and served with distinction in the Crimean War and the Indian Mutiny.
13.—A deputation of unemployed workmen waited upon the Mayor of Norwich at the Guildhall and urged upon him the necessity of steps being taken to relieve the exceptional distress then prevailing in the city. On the 17th a public meeting was held, at which a fund was opened. Relief works were shortly afterwards started on Mousehold Heath.
14.—Died, at St. Helen’s House, Norwich, Mr. Edward Field, in his 75th year. He succeeded Mr. Thomas Bignold as solicitor to the Norwich Fire and Life Assurance Offices, and in 1857–8 served as Mayor of Norwich. On the death of Sir Samuel Bignold Mr. Field became leader of the Conservative party in the Town Council, and was for many years Chairman of the Board of Guardians. He drafted the Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act, 1877, and was chiefly instrumental in getting it passed; subsequently he became honorary secretary to the Board of Conservators, of which also he was a member. Mr. Field, who was a magistrate of the city, for several years held the rank of captain in the Norwich Rifle Volunteers.
20.—Died, at 49, Brook Street, Grosvenor Square, London, Mr. George William Pierrepont Bentinck, aged 82. He was the eldest son of Vice-Admiral William Bentinck (a representative of the junior branch of the family of the Duke of Portland), by marriage with Lady Frances Eliza Augusta Pierrepont, only daughter of Charles, first Earl of Manvers. In 1853 he was returned as Conservative member for West Norfolk, and retained the seat until March, 1868, when he retired on account of ill-health. He was, however, re-elected by the same constituency in 1871, and sat till February, 1884, when he finally retired from Parliamentary life. Mr. Bentinck, who was a Tory of the old school, and maintained his principles to the last, was a magistrate and a Deputy Lieutenant for the county.
22.—In the House of Lords judgment was given in the case, Coaks and others, appellants, and Boswell and others, respondents. Their lordships held that there had been no fraud in the purchase of the Harvey life interest, and therefore reversed the order of the Court of Appeal and that of Mr. Justice Fry, dismissing the action with costs restored. The respondents were condemned in the whole costs of the case. On September 17th, 1887, it was announced: “The plaintiffs have discharged the taxed costs of the defendants. These amounted to £12,930 19s. 11d., of which £2,194 13s. 5d. was allowed in respect of the appeal in the House of Lords.” Mr. M. S. Emerson, solicitor to the plaintiffs, stated, in a letter published on September 24th, 1887, that they had the opportunity of compromising the case. “It is a fact,” he wrote, “that I refused £30,000 before the case came into court. . . . The six counsel engaged for the plaintiffs met, and were unanimous in their opinion that I was right in refusing the £30,000.” (See July 22nd, 1892.)
MARCH.
2.—At a special meeting of the shareholders of the Norwich Public Library, held for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of amalgamating the Library with the Literary Institution, according to a scheme prepared and approved by the committees of both institutions, it was agreed by 27 votes against 4 to adopt the proposal.
17.—The trial of the election petition presented by Mr. Henry Birkbeck and others against the return of Mr. Harry Bullard as one of the members for Norwich, commenced at the Shirehall before Mr. Justice Denman and Mr. Justice Cave. Counsel for the petitioners were Mr. Charles, Q.C., Mr. R. T. Reid, Q.C., and the Hon. Mark Napier; and for the respondent Mr. Gully, Q.C., the Hon. Mr. Denman, and Mr. Blofeld. Bribery, treating, undue influence, and personation by agents, were alleged. The only case of bribery that was proved was the gift of a two-shilling piece by an alleged agent, to a voter, but it was sufficient to render the election void, and Mr. Bullard was unseated. The judges, however, declined to give the petitioners their costs, and Mr. Bullard’s costs were defrayed by the subscriptions of men of all parties. (See May 7th.)
18.—Died, at Marham Hall, Mr. Henry Villebois, aged 79. An excellent landlord, an ardent sportsman, and for some years Master of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, Mr. Villebois was one of the earliest friends in Norfolk of the Prince of Wales, whom he had the honour of several times entertaining at Marham. He married, in 1831, Maria, elder daughter of Mr. Thomas Philip Bagge, of Stradsett Hall, and was a magistrate and a Deputy Lieutenant for the county. Mr. Villebois commenced active duties as a M.F.H. about 1842, when he took the Vale of White Horse, purchasing the pack from the triumvirate, the Earl of Suffolk, Earl Bathurst, and Mr. Cripps, who had hunted the country conjointly. He likewise purchased the Herefordshire Hounds from Sir Vevers Cornwall, and, with John Dinnecombe as huntsman, showed excellent sport until 1854, when, in consequence of a severe accident, he resigned the mastership to Lord Gifford, and sold his hounds to the Earl of Portsmouth. For the next three or four years he hunted with Lord Suffield, and in 1858 consented to hunt the West Norfolk. His lordship continued with the East Norfolk, but resigned in 1859; Mr. Villebois then hunted the entire country, but after two or three years resigned the Eastern portion to Lord Hastings. In the spring of 1865 Mr. Villebois sold his hounds and horses at Albert Gate, when seven of the hunters, bought from Mr. Newcome Mason, of Hendon, his great ally in all hunting matters, realised 1,015 guineas. After giving up the mastership he stuck to West Norfolk, and from 1871 to 1875 hunted the country round Marham with a small pack purchased from the Rev. “Jack” Russell. The shooting at Marham could not be excelled, for Mr. Villebois would have partridges and pheasants as well as foxes. His funeral at Marham on March 24th was attended by upwards of three thousand persons.
29.—The funeral took place, at the Rosary burial ground, Norwich, of Thomas Harrison, who was born in the city in 1795, and had seen much active service as a soldier. He joined the 69th Regiment at the age of 17, was taken prisoner at the bombardment of Antwerp, was present at Waterloo, went out to India, where he was under arms for fourteen years, took part in the first expedition to Burmah, and on returning to England in 1832 was rewarded with a pension of fifteen pence per day.
31.—A fire occurred at Browick Hall, near Wymondham, and did damage to the amount of £2,000.
APRIL.
7.—At the Guildhall, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Hoare, of Cliff House, Cromer, was nominated a candidate to fill the vacancy caused in the representation of the city by the unseating on petition of Mr. Harry Bullard. The Liberal party offered no opposition, and Mr. Hoare was declared duly elected.
9.—Died, at Great Yarmouth, Mr. Oswald Diver, aged 59. When a young man he was renowned as an oarsman, won many sculling matches on the Thames, and at Norwich, Lynn, and other places, and in 1847 beat Playford, who then held the Thames Amateur Championship.
22.—The Archbishop of Canterbury administered at Sandringham church the rite of confirmation to the Princess Victoria of Wales.
24.—The Prince of Wales visited Norwich for the purpose of inspecting the show-ground of the Royal Agricultural Society, and was entertained at Carrow House by Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P.
29.—A special meeting of the Norwich Diocesan Conference, convened by the Lord Bishop, in compliance with a numerously-signed requisition, was held at Noverre’s Rooms to take into consideration the subject of Church Reform.
MAY.
1.—The new station erected by the Great Eastern Railway Company at Thorpe, Norwich, was opened for inspection, and on the 3rd was used by the public for the first time. It was built by Messrs. Youngs and Son, of Norwich, from designs by Mr. J. Wilson, the company’s engineer, at the cost of £60,000, and replaced the old station, which had been in use since the opening of the line.
—A great meeting of “an entirely non-party character” was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, in support of the principles of the Irish Loyal and Patriotic Union. A resolution was adopted affirming that any proposals tending to invalidate the legislative union between Great Britain and Ireland would prove disastrous to the interests of both countries. On June 25th Lord Leicester wrote a letter which had an important influence upon the electorate of the county. “I have never been in the habit,” he wrote, “of taking part in political matters of a purely party description, though if ever I should have been inclined to break through the rule it would be at a time like the present, when we are passing through a great crisis in our national history, when the old party barriers have been broken down, and when Liberals, Radicals, and Conservatives meet on a common platform in a common cause. The question before the country is solely this: whether the loyalists and Protestants of Ireland should be legislated for by an independent Parliament composed of men whom Mr. Gladstone himself has termed as marching through rapine to the dismemberment of the empire, or whether the United Kingdom is to remain under one Queen and one Parliament. I cannot believe that Englishmen will ever consent to the former proposal. I trust that the electors of Norfolk, with those of the rest of England, will insist that their members shall be patriots and decline to support Mr. Gladstone’s dangerous policy.” Lord Suffield and other prominent Liberals also renounced their adhesion to Mr. Gladstone.
7.—At the combined Norfolk and Suffolk Assizes, held at Ipswich, before Mr. Baron Pollock, Charles Edward Wigger, a shoemaker, was indicted for receiving from one Walter Banham, a bribe for voting, or agreeing to vote, for Mr. Harry Bullard at the Norwich election on November 25th, 1885, and was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment with hard labour.
10.—George Edward Ray, 31, solicitor, of Norwich, was sentenced at the Norfolk and Suffolk Assizes, at Ipswich, to seven years’ penal servitude for forging the conveyance of a real estate with intent to defraud.
11.—At the same Assizes Edward Burgess, of Norwich, the printer and publisher of a newspaper called “Daylight,” was indicted for publishing on February 20th a libel upon Mr. Joseph Stanley, solicitor, and Coroner for Norfolk. The trial occupied three days, and on the jury finding the defendant guilty he was sentenced to three months’ imprisonment without hard labour, and ordered to pay the costs of the prosecution.
12.—The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. John Gurney), as chairman of the Conservators of Mousehold Heath, opened the new road constructed thereon, and dedicated the Heath to the free use of the people as a recreation park for ever.
19.—The sale of the Westacre shorthorns and shirehorses, the property of Mr. Anthony Hamond, was conducted by Mr. John Thornton and Mr. Sexton, respectively. Forty-five cows averaged £28 ls. 5d.; seven bulls averaged £34 16s., and 16 mares and seven stallions £53 16s. 3d. The total amount realised was £2,690 13s. 6d.
25.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. E. S. Steward tendered his resignation of the office of City Treasurer. On June 8th it was decided that the resignation be not accepted, but that Mr. Steward be dismissed from office. Mr. Hugh Gurney Barclay was on June 16th appointed to fill the vacancy. At the Norwich Assizes, on November 23rd, the late City Treasurer was indicted for falsifying and making certain false entries in the bankers’ pass book belonging to the Mayor and Corporation, with intent to defraud them of £1,848 16s. 9d., and on the 24th was found guilty and sentenced by Mr. Justice Field to six months’ imprisonment, (See January 25th, 1887.)
29.—The 19th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Hussars, who had been on active service in Egypt since 1882, arrived at Norwich, and took over the Cavalry Barracks, vacated during the week by the 13th Hussars. The regiment, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Combe, came by special train from Harwich, where they had disembarked from the transport Geelong, and at Thorpe station were received by the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. John Hotblack), the Sheriff (Mr. J. J. Dawson Paul), and other prominent citizens. The route from the station to the barracks was profusely decorated, and the regiment received an enthusiastic welcome from the citizens.