21.—Messrs. Charles and George Green ascended in their balloon from the gasworks at Lynn in the presence of 15,000 spectators, and descended at Southery, near Downham Market.

JULY.

4.—A meeting of the “Blue and White” freemen was held at the Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. William Smith, M.P., at which was formed the Norwich Union Independent Society.  Its object was “to promote the purity of election.”

8.—Died at Dublin, aged 24, Lieut. Henry Francis Bell, 58th Regiment of Foot, grandson of Mr. Henry Bell, of Wallington.  He was accidentally shot by a recruit while at practice with ball cartridge.

10.—Great rejoicings took place at Cromer on the coming of age of the heir of Felbrigg.  The horses were removed from Mr. Windham’s carriage, which was dragged through the streets of the town.  “Fourteen barrels of strong ale and porter having been placed on a pleasant eminence on the road to Felbrigg, thirteen were broached and distributed among the company, and the remaining barrel was given to the poor of Cromer.  A ball was held at Felbrigg Hall in the evening.”

13.—In the Rolls Court Lord Gifford delivered judgment in the tithe case Bayley v. Sewell.  The plaintiff was the lessee of the impropriate rectory of Wymondham, and the defendant the occupier of certain farms called the Great Park Farm and the Little Park Farm, which had been purchased upwards of 200 years previously by Sir Henry Hobart, the then Lord Chief Justice of Common Pleas, as tithe free, subject only to the demand of a modus of £1 6s. 8d. in respect of the Great Park and of 13s. 4d. in respect of the Little Park.  This suit was instituted for the purpose of compelling payment of tithes in respect of both farms; and at the Norfolk Summer Assizes in 1825 the jury found for the plaintiff.  Lord Gifford, in his judgment, established the two ancient moduses which exempted the properties from the payment of tithes.

15.—A fine vessel called the Rapid, upwards of 160 tons, was launched from Mr. Preston’s yard at Yarmouth.

22.—A historical play entitled “Viriatus, the Lusitanian Hero,” written by Mr. Thwaites, jun., of Norwich, a member of the Norwich Company, was produced at the Theatre for the first time, and “was received with great approbation.”

30.—A singular phenomenon was witnessed at Cromer.  “The lighthouse hill and adjacent heights were literally covered with myriads of the insect called Lady Bird of an unusually large sort.”

AUGUST.

7.—The prisoners at the old City Gaol at Norwich were removed to the new Gaol at St. Giles’ Gates.

28.—Ten thousand persons were attracted to the neighbourhood of St. James’s Hill, Norwich, to witness the performances of “Signor Carlo Cram Villecrop, the celebrated Swiss Mountain Flyer from Geneva and Mont Blanc,” who was to exhibit “with the Tyrolese pole, 50 feet long, the most astonishing gymnastic flights never before witnessed in this country.”  It was a hoax.

29.—The election of the freemen’s Sheriff at Norwich was attended with great excitement.  The candidates were Mr. J. Bennett and Mr. T. O. Springfield.  “Complimentary half-crowns were paid to the ‘friends of independence,’” and it was mentioned as a circumstance highly creditable to the poor freemen of the “Purple and Orange” interest, that “they contented themselves with a fee of 5s. each from their own party.”  The poll was declared as follows: Bennett, 1,164; Springfield, 1,079.

—The North Walsham and Dilham Canal was formally opened by a grand procession of vessels which started from Wayford Bridge accompanied by a band of music and filled with company, among whom were Lord Suffield and many of the principal residents in the district.  At Antingham the company landed, formed in procession, and marched to North Walsham, where a dinner was held at the King’s Arms Inn, under the presidency of Col. the Hon. John Wodehouse.

SEPTEMBER.

4.—The Ven. Archdeacon Oldershaw preached at Pulham Market church on the occasion of the opening of the newly-erected organ, built by Mr. Bullen, “an ingenious mechanic of that place.”

13.—A man named Gibson, for a wager of £50, undertook to walk from Norwich to Yarmouth in seven and a half hours carrying £4 worth of copper coins, weighing four stones four pounds.  He started from Bishop Bridge at five o’clock in the morning, accomplished the first twelve miles in three hours, and arrived at Yarmouth half an hour within the stipulated time.

18.—A prize fight, “one of those revolting scenes, which are equally an outrage on every feeling of humanity as well as a scandal to civilised society,” took place at Bramerton.  The combatants were prevented by a magistrate from bringing off the affair at Surlingham; and the parish constable at Bramerton on attempting to stop the fight was almost killed in the execution of his duty.

OCTOBER.

5.—Joseph Wiggins, driver of the Norwich Phenomena coach, was fined at Ixworth in the mitigated penalty of £90 for having 36 head of partridges in his possession, contrary to the statute 5 Anne c. 14, s. 2.

11.—Died in Goat Lane, Norwich, aged 75, Mr. John Reynolds, who served the office of Sheriff in 1796.

17.—At Norwich Quarter Sessions a committee of justices reported that the Bridewell was “insufficient, inconvenient, and inadequate to give effect to the rules and regulations enforced in recent legislation, and it was necessary from the increased number of commitments to such Bridewell that some other and more commodious building should be erected or substituted.”

19.—A meeting was held at the Angel Inn, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. Unthank, at which was passed a resolution to the effect “that by the present mode of electing Guardians the great body of the payers of the poor-rates are entirely unrepresented, that the extraordinary increase in the poor-rates of the city within the last six months has caused the greatest alarm and demands the strictest scrutiny, and that it is desirable a Bill should be brought in to amend the present Court of Guardians Act so far as to the choosing members of the Court.”  A petition embodying the principle of this resolution was ordered to be presented to the House of Commons.

21.—Died, Mr. John Ansell, plumber and glazier, St. John Maddermarket, who served the offer of Sheriff of Norwich in 1806.

—At about this date large numbers of people assembled nightly on Orford Hill, Norwich, to watch for a “ghost” which was said to haunt the premises of a Mr. Hart.  Martin, a police officer, examined some unoccupied premises adjoining, and discovered a hiding-place which had evidently been used by the person who had annoyed Mr. Hart’s family.

22.—The Friends’ Meeting House in Goat Lane, Norwich, erected on the site of the old Meeting House demolished in 1825, was opened for public worship.  The architect was Mr. Patience, and the builder, Mr. John Bensley.

28.—At the adjourned Quarter Sessions at Norwich, Mr. Alderman Crisp Brown made serious allegations as to the way in which the contractors for the new Gaol had done their work.  The court appointed Mr. Nicholls, of London, to survey the work.  Vestry meetings were held in St. Giles’, St. Peter Mancroft, St. Andrew’s, and St. Julian’s, at which resolutions were adopted expressing approval of Mr. Brown’s action.  On May 12th, 1827, it was announced that Mr. Nicholls had awarded the sum of £1,552 to the contractors over and above the balance previously due to them.

NOVEMBER.

5.—A great part of the premises erected on the site of the old alms-houses, adjoining the Friends’ Meeting House, Goat Lane, Norwich, fell with a tremendous crash.

11.*—“Mr. W. Wilkins has received another testimony to his ability as an architect in the preference given to his design for the London University.”

—Died at Brundall, aged 72, Mr. Elisha De Hague, Town Clerk of Norwich, to which office he was elected on August 8th, 1792, on the death of his father.

18.*—“An intelligent mercantile gentleman from Russia, who landed at Yarmouth, with whom we had some conversation on the subject of the free admission of foreign corn into this country, gave it as his opinion that the fears entertained here by the landed interest of excessive importations, at least for some time to come, are quite groundless.  He admitted, however, that in eight or ten years, from the encouragement we shall have given to the foreign grower by our free trade system, if it should be extended to corn, abundant supplies may be expected.  What will then be the state of the agriculture of this country by no means too flourishing now may be easily imagined.”

21.—At a special assembly of the Corporation of Norwich, Mr. William Simpson, for 34 years Chamberlain, was elected Town Clerk and Clerk of the Peace, and steward of the several manors belonging to the Corporation, in the room of Mr. Elisha De Hague, deceased.

25.—A county meeting was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the twofold purpose of opposing the Bill presented to Parliament for the appointment of district surveyors of highways, and of expressing dissent from the practice which prevailed at the Shirehall of conducting county business with closed doors.  With regard to the first subject a resolution was passed stating that the county-rate had increased from £7,200 to £20,400 in twenty years, and that it was undesirable to increase it by making the proposed appointments.  It was decided to take counsel’s opinion upon the other matter.  (See January 12th, 1827.)

DECEMBER.

2.*—[Advt.]  “Whereas a report was very generally circulated last week, and in a great measure obtained credit, that the body of William Tounshend, which was buried at Lakenham, on Sunday, November 19th, had been disinterred and taken away, we, the undersigned, have investigated the matter and certify the following statement to be correct:—The relatives of the deceased being much affected at such a report and naturally anxious to ascertain the truth of it, made application to have the grave examined.  After due deliberation upon the subject permission was granted for that purpose.  The grave was opened on Saturday last in the presence of them, together with us, when it was discovered that the body reposed in its peaceful abode undisturbed.  We consider it to be our duty to give this public contradiction to so groundless and scandalous a report, in order thereby to satisfy the minds of the parishioners and the public at large.—George Carter, vicar; Hunton Jackson, William Norman, churchwardens; Lakenham Vestry, November 26th.”

6.—At a meeting of the Norwich Corporation, Mr. Robert Alderson was elected Recorder in place of Mr. C. S. Onley, resigned.  “Mr. Alderson, though only what is technically termed an ‘utter barrister,’ is now the Recorder of three Corporations, namely, Norwich, Yarmouth, and Ipswich.  An ‘utter barrister’ (according to Bailey) is a young lawyer admitted to plead at the Bar, or a person well schooled in the common law who is called from contemplation to practice.”

8.—At a special court of the Corporation of Guardians, Norwich, Mr. Roger Kerrison, solicitor, was elected clerk in the room of Mr. William Simpson, resigned.

—Died at Holkham, aged 90, William Jones, for upwards of 50 years huntsman and principal stable servant in the Coke family.  “On his death-bed he was seen by Mr. Coke, who took with him the young heir of Holkham, to shake his faithful old servant by the hand.  Lady Anne Coke, Lady Anson, and all the family at Holkham showed every possible kindness and attention to the venerable and much-respected old man.”

12.—Mr. Isaac Preston was elected Steward of Norwich in room of Mr. Robert Alderson, appointed Recorder.

14.—A meeting of the Hundred of Eynsford was held at the Swan Inn, Reepham, at which it was decided to petition Parliament against any alteration in the Corn Laws.  Similar petitions were adopted by almost every Hundred in the county.

17.—The depôt of the 40th Regiment of Foot marched from Norwich for Bradford.

1827.

JANUARY.

6.—Mons. Louis, a native of Lorraine, 26 years of age, seven feet six inches in height, was exhibited at the Angel Inn, Norwich.

7.—Intelligence was received in Norwich of the death of H.R.H. the Duke of York, and the great bell of St. Peter Mancroft, and the bells of other churches in the city, were tolled for two hours.  On Saturday, the 13th, the day of the funeral, “all the shops in Norwich were kept as closely shut as on the Sabbath”; the Mayor and Corporation attended service at the Cathedral; and funeral sermons were preached at many of the parish churches and city chapels.

11.—A meeting of the Norfolk Cricket Club was held at Norwich, when rules were adopted.  It was agreed to play four matches during the year, one on each of the four grounds to be established by the club in the neighbourhood of Norwich, Yarmouth, Swaffham, and Gunton.  Rule 20 provided that members, clergymen excepted, should wear at the annual meetings the uniform dress—“a dark blue coat with buttons lettered ‘N.C.C.,’ with white waistcoat, &c.”  Mr. Philip Gurdon, of Letton, was elected treasurer.

12.—A bull driven along St. Martin’s Street, Norwich, entered the Bess of Bedlam public-house, and rushing upstairs made its way into a room where a musical party was held.  The animal was dislodged with great difficulty.

—At a meeting of the county magistrates the question of the conduct of business was discussed.  Several magistrates resisted the idea that the public had a right to claim admission, and it was agreed that the proceedings be read in the lower court at the close of each meeting, and “such of them as appeared advisable be advertised in the newspapers.”

26.—A severe storm occurred on the Norfolk coast.  Four vessels drove from their anchors and stranded on Yarmouth beach; and a brig was wrecked on Happisburgh sands.  The whole of her crew perished.

29.—On November 28th, 1826, three candidates were nominated for the office of City Chamberlain at Norwich, of whom Mr. James Goodwin had the majority in the Court of Aldermen and Mr. Beckwith in the Common Council.  The assembly broke up without electing the Chamberlain.  On January 29th a special meeting of the Corporation was held in consequence of the Mayor having received notice that a rule of the Court of King’s Bench would be applied for requiring them to shew cause why a writ of mandamus should not issue commanding them to admit and swear Mr. Goodwin into the office of Chamberlain and other offices.  It was ordered that cause be shown.  On February 10th the Court of King’s Bench discharged the rule nisi.  At a special meeting of the Corporation on March 9th, the Town Clerk reported on the result of the motion, and Mr. A. A. H. Beckwith was then unanimously elected Chamberlain, and Mr. John Skipper Speaker of the Common Council, in place of Mr. Beckwith.  A new Council was elected in April, and at a special assembly on May 16th, Mr. Beckwith was requested to leave the room.  The Speaker, Mr. J. S. Parkinson (who had been elected in place of Mr. Skipper), declined to recognise Mr. Beckwith as Chamberlain.  Mr. Goodwin was then proposed, and elected to the office.  At a Council meeting on June 7th, Mr. Beckwith took his seat as Chamberlain, and was asked to retire; he refused, and the beadle was called in.  Mr. Beckwith, addressing that officer, said, “I give you notice, if you lay your hands on me you do so at your peril.”  One of the members remarked that if the beadle did not turn him out they would.  Mr. Beckwith was then led out by the beadle, and the incident terminated.

FEBRUARY.

2.—A fine specimen of the sea eagle (falco ossifragus) was shot near Fritton Decoy.  It measured from tip to tip of its wings seven feet nine inches, and was presented to the Norwich Museum.

5.—Four thousand weavers met at Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich, and passed resolutions protesting against the action of certain manufacturers in reducing the rate of wages without consulting other employers, and requesting the Mayor to summon a meeting of the masters to shew cause why the reduction had been made.  On the 12th a procession of 600 operatives, headed by a man carrying a loaf of bread draped in black crape, passed through the streets of the city.  A petition to Parliament was prepared, in favour of an Act to regulate the price of labour.  The petition was presented in the House of Commons on May 30th, by Mr. William Smith.

17.—Died at Wymondham, aged 69, Mr. Thomas Troughton, who was Sheriff of Norwich in 1810.

19.—The Crim. Con. case, Sir Jacob Astley, Bart., v. Capt. Garth, was tried in the Court of Common Pleas, when a verdict was given for the plaintiff, damages one shilling.

20.—A cricket match was played on the ice at Diss Mere.  It commenced at 10 a.m., and was well contested until dusk, in the presence of about 1,500 spectators.

24.*—“Died last week, at Kenninghall, aged 105, Mrs. Sarah Barham.”

—“Died at Yarmouth Mr. Nathan Fenn, in his 101st year.”

—A detachment of the 12th (Prince of Wales’) Royal Lancers marched into Norwich Barracks from Hounslow, under the command of Capt. Cunnyngham.

25.—Died at Norwich, aged 101, Thomas Greenfield, gardener.

26.—Major Peel presented in the House of Commons a petition from the Chancellor and Prebendaries of Norwich Cathedral, and from the Archdeacon and clergy of Norfolk, against further concessions to the claims of Roman Catholics.

MARCH.

3.—Died at Costessey Hall, the Rev. Lawrence Strongitharm, aged 31, formerly of the Roman Catholic church, St. John Maddermarket, Norwich.  “To great learning and a highly gifted mind, to the most elegant and refined manners, and to the most powerful and commanding eloquence he added a most fervent and unaffected piety and undying zeal for the furtherance of religion.”  His remains were interred on the 9th, before the altar in the chapel of St. John Maddermarket.

8.—“Two celebrated amateurs of fashion,” the Hon. W. Berkeley and the other “a military man,” appeared in the parts of Othello and Roderigo at Norwich Theatre.  They afterwards appeared as Romeo and Mercutio, and in other characters.

9.—Died Adam Burrell, many years carrier between Flitcham and Lynn.  “The deceased was rather an eccentric character, and often designated as ‘Adam Slow,’ as he usually occupied six or seven hours going from Flitcham to Lynn, a distance of about 10 miles.  He was, however, a very honest and inoffensive man.”

10.—Particulars were published on this date of the Norfolk and Norwich Joint Stock Banking Company, of which Mr. Samuel Bignold was managing director.  The capital was advertised as £200,000, and the bank had branches at Lynn, Swaffham, Dereham, Foulsham, and Harling.

19.—A large portion of the city wall at Richmond Hill Gardens, Norwich, fell into the Bracondale Road, from the effects of a violent gale on the 17th.

—Died, aged 59, Mr. Edward Dewing, of Guist.  He was out hunting with his hounds when he was seized with a fit of apoplexy and dropped from his horse.  During a second attack he expired.

22.—Sixty-five prisoners for trial at the Lent Assizes at Thetford were escorted from Norwich Castle to that place by men of the Norfolk Yeomanry Cavalry.

31.*—“Lately died at Wicklewood, Mrs. Mary Spraggs, aged 100.”

—*“Died lately, Mrs. Catherine Mann, aged 102.”

APRIL.

1.—A newly-erected malthouse, belonging to Mr. W. Hardy, at Letheringsett, was destroyed by fire.  The building was 150 feet by 40 feet, and contained 90 last of malt, a considerable quantity of wool, barley, and empty casks.  “The engine from Holt did not arrive until after the roof fell in, the people supposing the alarm of fire to be only an April hoax.”

2.—The annual election of Common Councilmen commenced at Norwich.  “For several years ‘cleansing week’ has passed off without any serious contests, and the ‘Purple and Orange’ party has held uninterrupted ascendency in three of the great wards since 1820.  All at once, however, the ‘Blue and Whites’ have roused themselves from their inaction, and again entering the field of party warfare, have succeeded in displacing their opponents.  It is useless to deny that the week’s proceedings have been marked by undisguised bribery and corruption, and that the object of the triumphant party has mainly been achieved by superior weight of metal—by dint of money.”

10.—Died at his residence in London, aged 78, the Marquis of Cholmondeley, of Houghton Hall, Lord Steward of his Majesty’s Household, &c.

13.—Died, aged 82, Mr. Daniel Clark, of Norwich.  “He was in the commercial establishment of Messrs. Ives for nearly 70 years and was justly esteemed in nautical and musical communities.  To the last his song was cheerful and his convivial good humour unabated, and many a head must lie as low as his before the name of ‘Admiral’ Clark will be forgotten, or his memory ceased to be cherished with respect.”

14.—The Norwich Cricket Club announced that a lease had been taken of a field at Lakenham, “without Ber Street Gates, and nearly opposite Lakenham Terrace,” and that the ground had been “laid down with fine turf by Mr. Bentley, of Lords.”  The secretary of the club was Mr. Henry Hobart, solicitor, of Bethel Street.

22.—Died at Harleston, aged 66, Mr. Robert Paul, formerly of Starston, “well known to agriculturists for several ingenious inventions and for his inquiries into the nature, history, and habitudes of the turnip fly and wireworm.”

1.—Four candidates were nominated for the Mayoralty of Norwich, namely, Alderman Peter Finch, who received 918 votes; Alderman Yallop, 867; Alderman J. S. Patteson, 566; and Alderman C. Brown, 565.  At the Court of Aldermen on the 3rd Mr. Finch was elected Mayor.

3.—Newspaper reporters were for the first time admitted to the assembly of the Norwich Corporation.

9.—Died at Margaretta Farm, Clenchwarton, aged 83, Dr. Charles Browne, for many years physician to the King of Prussia.  On his return to England his Majesty conferred upon him the Order of the Red Eagle as a mark of his esteem.  Dr. Browne was a man of high literary attainments.

24.—The bounds of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, were perambulated.  “It gave rise to those scenes of vulgar mirth for which occasions of this kind are used as an excuse for indulging in with impunity.  We never remember the ducking system carried to such lengths.  The Rev. J. Bowman, in the early stage of the proceedings, was on Hay Hill drenched from head to foot.  The pail which a fellow had in his hand (and which had been filled with water from an adjoining pump) being dropped at his feet, he accidentally fell over, but fortunately escaped without any serious injury.  The company afterwards met for dinner at the Angel Inn.”

29.—The Bishop of Chichester, acting on behalf of the Bishop of Norwich, held a visitation at Lynn and confirmed 1,400 persons at St. Margaret’s church, and 620 at St. Nicholas’ chapel.  The number confirmed at Holt was 1,120; at Fakenham, 1,800; at East Dereham, 1,100; and at Hingham, 803.

JUNE.

4.—Mr. Bolton, formerly coach proprietor and landlord of the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, was driving between Melton Mowbray and Stamford when his horse ran away and overturned the vehicle.  Mr. Bolton received severe injuries, from which he died on the 10th.

19.—Breakfast à la fourchette with the Mayor-elect (Mr. Peter Finch) and luncheon with the Mayor (Mr. E. T. Booth), prepared the Sheriffs, Aldermen, &c., for the Guild Day proceedings at Norwich.  The customary ceremonies were observed at the Guildhall, service was attended at the Cathedral, and 600 guests dined at St Andrew’s Hall.

23.—The Surrey Gardens, Thorpe Road, Norwich, were advertised as a resort “for the reception of respectable families and invalids,” where “pure air, unbounded prospects of land and water, refreshing fruits and odoriferous flowers” could be obtained.  A military band played on Sunday evenings, from five to seven o’clock.

27.—The Bishop of Norwich confirmed at North Walsham church 1,280 persons.  On one day in the previous week his lordship confirmed in Norwich Cathedral 1,100 persons.

30.—Died at Yarmouth, aged 87, Mr. Jacob Preston, senior magistrate of the borough.  He was Mayor in 1793, 1801, and 1813.

—Mr. Yates gave his entertainment, “Portraits and Sketches,” at Norwich Theatre.  On subsequent evenings he was assisted by Mr. Brunton and Mrs. Yates (formerly Miss Brunton).

JULY.

25.—A well-contested prize fight took place at Bessingham, between Rix and Sharpens, for £5 aside.  The former beat his opponent, after fighting 78 rounds in 45 minutes.

AUGUST.

5.—A duel took place on Yarmouth Denes “between J--- B---, Esq., and W. M---, Esq., in consequence of a dispute the previous day at the Bath Rooms.  Both were to fire at the same time, but on the signal being given Mr. M.’s ball did not take effect, and Mr. B.’s pistol missed fire.  The seconds then interfered, and the affair was adjusted without much difficulty.”

6.—The Norfolk Cricket Club played the first of a series of matches which took place during the Norwich Assize week.  The annual dinner was held at the Rampant Horse Inn on the 10th, under the presidency of Lord Suffield, and in the evening a ball was given at Chapel Field Rooms.  The patronesses were the Countess of Albemarle, Lady Anne Coke, Lady Stafford, Lady Suffield, the Hon. Mrs. Wodehouse, Lady Lacon, and Mrs. Gurdon.  “The waltz was introduced for the first time in the course of the evening, but a very select few appeared inclined to join in that rotatory movement.”

28.—The election of freemen’s Sheriff took place at Norwich; the candidates were Alderman T. O. Springfield and Lieut. Fred White, R.N.  “As soon as the polling commenced, a ticket was given by the ‘Blue and White’ party, entitling the voter who chose to accept it to half-a-crown.  Nothing was given on the side of the ‘Purple and Orange,’ Lieut. White having merely come forward in consequence of a requisition sent to him by the poor freemen and signed by upwards of 300 names.”  The poll was thus declared: Springfield, 1,210; White, 474.  Lieut. White, in his subsequent address, wrote: “I consider my failure more honourable than to have gained the day by bribery and corruption.  The 474 votes I obtained will at least rescue the character of a considerable portion of our fellow-citizens from the reproach of selling themselves to the highest bidder.”

SEPTEMBER.

5.—The first stone of the new Roman Catholic chapel in St. Giles’ parish, Norwich, was laid by the Hon. and Rev. Edward Clifford.

8.—Died, aged 74, at his house in St. Faith’s Lane, Norwich, Mr. William Herring, 32 years an alderman of the city.  He was the second son of the Very Rev. William Herring, D.D., Dean of St. Asaph.

12.—The election of an alderman to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr. Herring took place at Norwich.  The candidates were Mr. Angell, “Purple and Orange,” and Mr. Marshall, “Blue and White.”  Great excitement prevailed throughout the contest.  “The ‘Purple and Orange’ party were informed in the course of the day that some of their friends had been carried off and were detained in a warehouse in St. Clement’s.  A magistrates’ warrant was applied for and the captives set at liberty.”  At the close of the day the voting stood as follows: Angell, 215; Marshall, 195.  The friends of the latter demanded that the poll be continued on the 13th, “because seven of Mr. Marshall’s friends were detained at Ranworth against their will.”  The other side retaliated that eleven of their voters had been forcibly carried away by the “Blue and Whites.”  The Mayor deprecated the system that had been put in force, and adjourned the poll till 10 o’clock the following morning.  The poll was finally declared as follows: Angell, 218; Marshall, 196.  (See September 24th.)

24.—An inquest was held by Mr. Bell, the Norwich Coroner, on the body of James Bailey, one of the persons who was forcibly carried away to prevent his voting at the Alderman’s election on the 12th.  “On the 10th he was taken away by the ‘Blues and Whites’ to Wroxham Castle public-house, the next morning removed to Horning Swan, afterwards taken to Smallburgh, and on the same night removed to Ridlington Plough.  They wanted nothing for eating and drinking, but Bailey being very ill, suffered very much from being moved about.”  On his return to Norwich he was engaged to sell programmes at the Musical Festival, where he was in attendance from the 18th to the 20th.  On the 22nd he broke a blood vessel and died.  “His attendance at the Festival took the onus off his captors, and the jury returned a verdict of ‘Died from the visitation of God.’”

28.—Mr. Samuel Stone was elected Speaker of the Common Council of Norwich, in the room of Mr. J. S. Parkinson, deceased.

29.*—[Advt.]  “£100 Reward, and his Majesty’s Pardon.  Eight horses belonging to Mr. William Slack, of Norwich, died between the 25th August last and the 10th September, six soon after their return from Attleborough (one of the depôts for horses drawing the London vans) to Norwich, one at Attleborough, and the other at Newmarket, and upon being opened it has been ascertained that they died by mineral poisoning, supposed to have been administered in water or in some liquid form.  The Government offer the above reward.”

—*“The week before last Mr. Meyer Levi, gold and silver smith, a converted Jew, together with Mrs. Hannah Levi, a converted Jewess, received the rite of Christian baptism at the hands of the vicar in the parish church of St. Stephen’s, Norwich, when the Christian names of John and Hannah were given to the above parties, and at the same time they adopted the surname of Herbert.”

OCTOBER.

6.—A number of silver coins, some of them bearing date 1577, were dug up by a gardener at Thorpe, who sold them for £30.

13.—The portrait of Mr. Henry Francis, Mayor of Norwich in 1824, was hung in St. Andrew’s Hall.  The artist was Mr. Lane, of Greek Street, Soho.

18.—Died at Costessey, Mrs. Anne Maria Teresa Vere, aged 100, sister of Mr. Charles Gosnold, formerly of Norwich.

20.—Killed at the battle of Navarino, aged 24, Lieut. George William Howe FitzRoy, R.N., of H.M.S. Dartmouth, second son of Lieut.-General the Hon. William FitzRoy, of Kempston Lodge.

3.*—“At the auction mart last week Mr. Hoggart sold the well-known estate called St. Andrew’s Hall, Old Buckenham, a fine mansion house, and 532 acres of land, at £29,300.”

10.—It was announced that Mr. Smith, manager of Norwich Theatre, had taken of the patentee, Mr. Wilkins, a seven years’ lease of that and the other houses in the circuit.

—Mr. Mathews commenced a three nights’ engagement at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich.

17.*—“The expense of erecting the house of industry at Wicklewood in 1777 was defrayed by a tontine called the ‘Forehoe Tontine,’ consisting of 110 shares at £100 each, bearing an interest of £5 per cent.  Fifty years have now elapsed, and in 1827 there are still 50 survivors out of the original number.”

25.—Died at Prospect Place, Gorleston, aged 65, Mr. F. F. Hope, for 30 years paymaster of the East Norfolk Militia.  “Previously he was an officer of the line, saw much service during the great American War, was at the siege of Yorktown in Virginia in 1781, and there taken prisoner by the combined Armies of France and America, with the whole of the British Army under Lord Cornwallis.”

DECEMBER.

16.—The small organ in East Dereham church, mentioned by Dr. Burney in his “History of Music” as a curiosity, which was built by the famous Schmidt, in 1666, for the Hon. Roger North, of Rougham Hall, and purchased for the parish in 1786 for the small sum of £30, was, after enlargement under the direction of the Rev. R. F. Elwin, of Norwich, opened before a congregation of 1,600 persons, by Mr. Last, of Orford.  The builder, Mr. Joseph Hart, of Redgrave, found that Schmidt’s pipes were as sound as on the day they were finished.

—A boy of 13, named William Moore, was brutally murdered in a field at Brisley, by John Kenney, a lunatic, aged 24.  The body was horribly mutilated.  The prisoner was committed for trial on the Coroner’s warrant, on the charge of wilful murder, and at the Lent Assizes, held at Thetford on March 21st, before Mr. Baron Garrow, the jury returned a verdict of not guilty, on the ground of the insanity of the accused.

22.*—[Advt.]  “A main of cocks will be fought at the White Hart Inn, Swaffham, on Thursday, the 27th of December, 1827, for 50 guineas, between Mr. J. Farrer, of Necton, and Mr. G. Gould, of Swaffham.  A very superior day’s play is expected, as there are several other matches besides.”

—*“Died lately, at Northrepps, Hannah Storey, in her 101st year.”

24.—Died at Lynn, Samuel Pearson, a journeyman cabinetmaker, “who, in the intervals of his labour, acquired a deep knowledge of mathematics, and possessed the faculty of communicating his knowledge to others.  He established a mathematical academy, which had every prospect of success.”

29.—Miss C. Morgan’s Menagerie was exhibited on the Castle Hill, Norwich.

—Great excitement was caused in Yarmouth by the discovery that upwards of twenty recently interred bodies had been removed from the churchyard by resurrection men.  “The churchyard was quickly crowded by the population.  Wives were searching for the remains of their deceased husbands, husbands for those of their wives, and parents for their children.”  Three men, Thomas Smith, alias Vaughan, William Barber, and Robert Barber, were apprehended, and committed for trial at Yarmouth Quarter Sessions, whence, on April 1st, 1828, the indictment was removed by writ of certiorari to the Court of King’s Bench.  The case was tried at Norwich Assizes, before Lord Chief Baron Alexander, on August 11th, 1828, when only Vaughan (or Smith) was proceeded against.  Robert Barker turned King’s evidence, and described the method by which the graves were robbed, and how the bodies were sent to London by the wain.  A verdict of guilty was returned, and on November 14th, 1828, the prisoner was brought up for sentence in the Court of King’s Bench.  He urged that he was driven by poverty to the commission of the offence, and was sentenced by Mr. Justice Bayley to six months’ imprisonment in the house of correction at Norwich.

31.—Miss Clark, a native of the city, commenced an engagement with her equestrian company at the Pantheon, Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich.

1828.

JANUARY.

4.—A grand concert, given at Wells Theatre, was attended by Earl Rosebery, Lord and Lady Bury, Lord Dalmeney, Viscountess Andover, Admiral Digby, Lady H. Primrose, the Hon. Misses Anson, the Hon. B. Primrose, &c.  The programme opened with Haydn’s “Surprise Sinfonia,” and the artistes engaged included M. Venna, Master Sporle, Madame Baur, and Mr. Barron.  “Gentlemen amateurs” sang glees, and at the close of the concert a ball took place, at which 200 were present.

23.—Norwich Theatre opened for the season with Mr. Smith as manager and lessee.

24.—Died, Mr. Martin Fountain, who was Sheriff of Norwich in 1812.

26.—Atkins’ Menagerie was exhibited on the Castle Hill, Norwich.

31.—Lord William Bentinck addressed a circular letter to his constituents at Lynn, announcing his resignation as one of the members for the borough, in consequence of his appointment as Governor-General of India.

FEBRUARY.

4.—Lord George Bentinck was elected without opposition a member for King’s Lynn.  “No colours were worn, agreeable to the regulations of Lord John Russell’s most sapient Act, and for which the ribbon-makers must feel highly indebted to him in depriving them of a source of consumption for an important branch of British manufacture of no inconsiderable extent.”

5.—At a meeting of the Norwich Court of Guardians, a report was adopted in favour of altering the mulcts of the assessable property in each of the parishes and hamlets of the city.  In the parishes the old valuation was £61,302; the new, £89,080; increase, £27,778—45 per cent.  In the hamlets the old valuation was £19,722; the new, £21,487; increase, £1,765—about 9 per cent.  At the vestry meetings in several parishes the new assessment was rejected—(1) on the ground of increased local and public burdens to which the citizens would be exposed by increased rent on such valuation; and (2) because of the disproportion of the assessment of the hamlets as compared with the assessment of the city at large.  At a meeting of the Guardians on April 1st, a resolution was adopted declaring the mulct to be unequal, and advising that steps be taken to place it upon a fair and equitable basis.

8.—A “trial of speed” took place between the Westacre and Melton Constable hounds.  “A noble stag stood before the hounds an hour and ten minutes, but from the numerous field, amounting at least to 400, the greater part of whom were shamefully riding the roads and heading the stag at every point, the sport was not brilliant.  Through the greater part of the day the Westacre hounds took the lead, carried the best head, and did all the work; but from the jockeyship of Sir Jacob Astley’s huntsman in continually lifting his hounds, and numerous horsemen pressing on them in the lanes and woods, so completely frightened the Westacre hounds, which are more timid and less accustomed to such crowds than the Melton, that most of them were thrown out and could not again recover their ground.”  The match took place in the neighbourhood of East Dereham.

13.—A squadron of the 6th Dragoons arrived at Norwich Barracks, to replace the depôt of the 12th Lancers.

23.—A man named Bailey did penance in the chancel of Yarmouth parish church for applying an opprobrious epithet to a Mrs. Jenner.  “It being a very great novelty, there was a large assemblage of persons to witness the performance of the ceremony and to hear Bailey repeat his recantations, which continued for some time, but he did not, as generally supposed, stand in a white sheet.”

MARCH.

5.—The election of a County Coroner took place at Norwich, consequent upon the resignation of Mr. C. Bringloe.  Mr. E. Press, of Hingham, the successful candidate, polled 1,073 votes, as against 766 obtained by his opponent, Mr. Henry Hobart, Norwich.

17.—Died at his house in Surrey Street, Norwich, aged 68, Sir James Edward Smith, M.D., F.R.S., President of the Linnæan Society.  He was born in Norwich December 2nd, 1759, proceeded to Edinburgh University in 1780, and completed his medical studies in London.  In 1792 he had the honour of instructing her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Princesses in botany at Windsor.  He married, in 1796, a daughter of Mr. Robert Reeve, of Lowestoft, and in 1810 received the distinction of knighthood.  He was the author of “English Botany,” and other works.

18.—Mr. Macready appeared at Norwich Theatre in the part of Virginius.  On subsequent evenings he performed the characters of Macbeth and William Tell.

22.*—“Died at Canton, in China, by falling overboard, Henry, son of Mr. Alderman Thurtell, of Norwich, master-at-arms of the Atlas Indiaman.”

—*“Died at Yarmouth, Mr. David Service, aged 52, the well-known author of the ‘Caledonian Herd-boy’ and many other poetical productions of considerable merit.”

APRIL.

2.—Died, aged 106, Thomas Scrape.  “He was the father of Mrs. Lovell, of the Lobster Inn, St. John Maddermerket, Norwich, and was born at Stalham in 1722, in the 9th year of the reign of George I.  He had been often heard to speak of remembering as a child the illuminations on the occasion of the accession of George II.  At the age of 105 this extraordinary old man presided at a large convivial party at his residence.  His pipe was his constant companion, and he was often to be seen smoking and enjoying it at his daughter’s house, where his latter days were rendered comfortable.”

3.—Tombland Fair, Norwich, was ushered in by a severe snowstorm.  “The Banisters, the Samwells, the Chipperfields, the Adamses, and a host of other ornaments of the vagrant stage for daylight gauds and the practical wit of buffoons displayed themselves in imposing array.”  The only “rational” exhibition at the fair was Atkins’ Menagerie.

5.—A vessel, named the Lord William Bentinck, was launched from the shipyard of Mr. Frederick Preston, at Yarmouth.  She was nearly 500 tons burden, and the largest ship, with one exception, ever built at the port.

7.—Ching Lau Lauro, “the celebrated posture master and buffo from Drury Lane,” appeared at Norwich Theatre.  On the 10th he performed in a harlequinade, entitled, “The Man in the Moon.”  “No viler tissue of nonsensical stuff could be foisted on the patience of an insulted audience.  It had more revolting coarseness, and infinitely less ingenuity than ever characterised the worst puppet shows’ clumsiest performers.  ‘Harlequin in the Shades’ descended to the lowest vault of the Capulets, amidst universal hisses which such execrable trash deservedly called forth, in spite of Ching Lau Lauro swallowing his own head.”

19.—The Norfolk County Cricket Club announced the completion of a new cricket ground at East Dereham, described as one of the best in the provinces.

25.—A remarkable whirlwind occurred at Gresham.  “It came suddenly as in a moment from the south-west, accompanied by a roar like thunder, and taking a north-easterly direction towards Cromer, spent itself at sea.  The extreme force of the whirlwind lasted scarcely three minutes, but in that time it completely ruined one William Watts, by rending the sails and stocks from his mill, lifting the whole fabric from off the post, and crushing the beams and inside works to pieces, together with the roof and walls of the round-house.”

MAY.

1.—Mr. Angell and Mr. Patteson were nominated for the Mayoralty of Norwich.  Mr. W. Wilde nominated Mr. Alderman Thurtell, the senior alderman below the chair; and Mr. Alderman Yallop was also proposed.  A poll was demanded, and the result was declared as follows: Thurtell, 1,144; Yallop, 1,148; Angell, 1,042; Patteson, 979.  Application was made by Messrs. Angell and Patteson for the reopening of the books on the following morning, when the voting was: Thurtell, 1,210; Yallop, 1,212; Angell, 1,097; Patteson, 1,020.  The Court of Aldermen subsequently elected Mr. Thurtell.

5.—A public meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Finch), at which resolutions were passed affirming that it was objectionable to continue bounties on the export of sugar and prohibitory duties on the produce of Colonial free labour, by which slavery was supported at the expense of the British public.  It was also decided to petition Parliament to repeal such bounties and duties, and to take measures to ensure the immediate alleviation and the ultimate extinction of British Colonial slavery.  The petition, which was signed by 10,125 persons, measured 150 feet in length, and was presented in the House of Commons by Mr. William Smith.

6.—A new theatre was opened at North Walsham by Mr. Fisher, with the performance of the comic opera, “Sweethearts and Wives,” and the musical farce of “The Turnpike Gate.”

8.—Died at Tittleshall, Mr. Thomas Riches, farmer, aged 69.  “In his early life he for many years, by being pressed from Lynn, served his country at sea, and was in many distinguished actions.  He was at Gibraltar, at the Chesapeak with Hood, in the same ship with our present Lord High Admiral, then a boy; and was in the Formidable (flagship) with Sir George, afterwards Lord Rodney, in the memorable battle of 1782, when M. De Grasse was taken.  On his discharge and his return to his native county, he embraced farming for a livelihood, and always retained many of the peculiarities and superstitions of a sailor’s life.”

27.—The first seaborne vessel from London to Norwich port direct, the Thames steam packet, Capt. John Morley, arrived at Carrow Bridge.  She was of 120 tons burden, 82 feet in length, and handsomely fitted up for the accommodation of passengers.  The duration of her voyage was 28 hours.

—The Norwich Corporation decided to rebuild Fye Bridge of iron, in accordance with the plans of Mr. Stone.  The foundation-stone of the new bridge was laid by the Mayor (Mr. Thurtell) on June 2nd, 1829.

9.—Mr. Kean, jun., made his first appearance at Norwich Theatre in the character of Romeo.  During his engagement he appeared also as Jaffier (“Venice Preserved”) and Felix (“Hunter of the Alps”).  “It is difficult, indeed, to imagine,” says the critic, “what besides an irresistible penchant for the stage and an hereditary attachment for the most elevated dramatic work, could have induced this gentleman to choose the profession of a tragedian.  Of a stature rather below the middle size, and with a countenance that forms no index of the heroic mind, the younger Kean seems studious of displaying all those peculiarities of attitude, action, and intonation which we have been accustomed to regard rather as defects than as excellencies in his justly celebrated father.  The genius of the elder Kean does not shine forth in his son.”

—A prize-fight took place between Warren and Cocks, light weights, for £50 a side.  The gathering, which was at Mattishall, was attended by many of the principal gentry in the county, and by several members of the London ring, including Phil Sampson (conqueror of Big Brown), Dick Curtis, Tom Oliver, Frank Redmond, Ned Stockman, and Frosty-Faced Fogo, “the Poet Laureate of the Ring.”  The combatants met in a meadow belonging to Mr. Petchell, but a magistrate interfered, and a move was made to Elsing Common, where the fight was brought off.  Cocks was attended by Ned Painter and Ben Gale, and Warren by Curtis and Redmond.  Forty-one rounds were fought in 56 minutes.  Cocks, who won, threw his man 23 times in the first 25 rounds.

17.—Guild Day was celebrated in Norwich.  Mr. Alderman Thurtell, on being sworn in as Mayor, stated that he stood in rotation for the office in 1818, and to his utter astonishment the late Mr. Back was put in nomination and elected.  “I thank God,” he added, “I have had nerve enough to break all connection with a set of men who have acted with so much duplicity and injustice towards me.”  The Guild feast at St. Andrew’s Hall was attended by 460 guests.

24.—Died, Captain John Murray Browne, of the 75th Regiment, aged 36, only son of the Rev. M. Browne, Minor Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and grandson of Dr. John Murray.  Capt. Browne, who was drowned while fishing on a Lake near Mullingar, had been in the Army from his youth, and served throughout the Peninsular War.  He was the author of a work entitled, “The State of Portugal, by an eyewitness.”

26.—Died at Hingham, suddenly, Charles Alexander, aged 23, “an excellent cricketer, and the fastest length bowler in the county.”

JULY.

4.—A severe storm occurred in the Dereham, Fakenham, and Cromer districts.  Unsettled weather prevailed until the 13th, when the lower parts of Norwich and the meadows and marshes above and below the city were flooded.  Much meadow hay was swept away, and the grain crops beaten down.

9.—An inter-county cricket match, Norfolk v. Lincolnshire, was commenced at East Dereham.  Scores: Lincoln, 110; Norfolk, 74-30.  At the conclusion of the first day’s play, a dinner, presided over by Lord Suffield, and attended by eighty-six ladies and gentlemen, was given at the Assembly Rooms; and on the 10th a grand ball took place in the evening.

12.—The following statement was published of the number of benefits, with the gross receipts, at Norwich Theatre during the period of 22 years, ending 1828:—

16.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, Mr. T. W. Coke, M.P., gave notice that at the ensuing October Sessions he would move “that reporters for the newspapers be admitted into the Grand Jury Chamber when the magistrates assemble there at Quarter Sessions for the despatch of the business of the county.”  The motion was discussed on October 17th, when, after three hours’ debate, the Court divided, with the following result: For the motion, 46; against, 45.

22.—Died at Stalham, aged 103, Isabella Perowne.

25.—A Jews’ Synagogue was opened in the parish of St. George, Tombland, Norwich.

26.—The announcement was made that the Norwich Cricket Club had “engrafted an archery branch” on their own “excellent establishment.”  The members of the Archery Club were permitted the use of the Norwich Cricket Ground on certain days.

AUGUST.

4.—Died at the Deanery, in his 83rd year, the Very Rev. James Turner, D.D., F.S.A., Dean of Norwich, Master of Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, and rector of Sudbourne and Orford, Suffolk.  He was installed Dean of Norwich on June 24th, 1790.  His remains were interred in the Cathedral on August 12th.  Dean Turner was succeeded by the Hon. and Rev. George Pellew, Prebendary of Canterbury and of York, and third son of Lord Viscount Exmouth.  Dean Pellew was installed on December 13th.