Transcribed from the 1901 edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org. Many thanks to Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, UK, for allowing their copy to be used for this transcription.

NORFOLK ANNALS

CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF REMARKABLE EVENTS IN THE
NINETEENTH CENTURY

(Compiled from the files of the “Norfolk Chronicle”)

BY
CHARLES MACKIE

VOLUME II.

1851–1900

“It is beyond the capacity of the human intellect to discriminate beforehand between what is valuable and what is valueless in the pursuit of historical research. What would we give now for newspapers and trade circulars illustrating the social habits of many bygone times and peoples?”—The Times, May 4, 1900.

[Entered at Stationers’ Hall]

1901
Printed at the Office of the “Norfolk Chronicle” Market Place Norwich

PREFACE.

In the terms of the publishers’ announcement the two volumes of “Norfolk Annals” were to have contained 800 pages; the work has really exceeded that estimate by 255 pages.

Although the period from 1851 to 1900 was marked by many incidents of great importance in the history of Norfolk and Norwich, the record thereof in Volume II. of “Norfolk Annals” lacks several of the features which made Volume I. acceptable to the lover of folk lore and to the student of local events in the earlier days of the Nineteenth Century. If, however, the present volume be less interesting than Volume I., it may yet be useful for the verification of the dates of occurrences regarding which the public memory is proverbially shortlived and unreliable.

CORRIGENDA.

Page 40, fourth line of fifth paragraph, for “56 seconds” read “2 minutes 56 seconds.”

ADDITIONAL SUBSCRIBERS.

George Cubitt, Tombland, Norwich.

H. R. Ladell, Aylsham Road, North Walsham.

Arnold H. Miller, The Guildhall, Norwich.

H. Newhouse, Bella Vista, Thorpe Road, Norwich.

Colonel H. T. S. Patteson, Beeston St. Andrew Hall.

Simms Reeve, 29, Thorpe Road, Norwich.

The Earl of Rosebery, K.G., K.T., 38, Berkley Square, London, W.

T. O. Springfield, The Rookery, Swainsthorpe.

F. Oddin Taylor, St. Ethelbert, Norwich.

Arthur Wolton, 78, Borough High Street, London, S.E.

NORFOLK ANNALS.
VOLUME II.
1851–1900.

[Note.—Marginal dates distinguished by an asterisk are dates of publication, not of occurrence.]

1851.

JANUARY.

2.—Died at Shipdham, Mary, widow of Mr. Henry Tash, farmer, in the hundredth year of her age.

3.—At the Norfolk Court of Quarter Sessions a report was presented upon the expenditure of the county, into which a committee had inquired in consequence of representations made at public meetings in various districts, to the effect that the ratepayers were unable to control the finances. The Court passed a resolution affirming that the evidence given before the committee had tended to prove that the financial affairs of the county had been conducted by the Court of Quarter Sessions with proper attention to economy, with just regard to the public interests, and with the publicity required by law.

18.*—“A few days since the steeple of Drayton church fell to the ground with a tremendous crash, the lead which covered the falling mass being completely buried in the débris.”

20.—A prolonged magisterial inquiry took place at Reepham, into disturbances at Lenwade arising out of the Wesleyan schism. Two parish constables, Samuel Fairman and John Elliott, were fined for refusing to perform their duty when requested by the Rev. C. Povah. At Aylsham Petty Sessions, on February 4th, four persons were charged with disturbing the Wesleyan congregation at Cawston on January 19th, and three were committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions. One of the defendants, Elizabeth Southgate, was ordered by the Court, on March 13th, to pay a penalty of £40; the other two were discharged on their own recognisances to appear at the next Quarter Sessions. A singular case arising from the same disruption came before the Vice-Chancellor, Lord Cranworth, on May 7th. The relators and plaintiffs were the Rev. William Worker and the Rev. George Badcock, and the defendants the trustees of two deeds dated 1814 and 1837, declaring the trusts of the Methodist chapel at Holt subject to the trusts of a deed executed in 1784 by John Wesley, by which the Wesleyan body was organized. The funds for building the chapel were advanced in 1814 by Mr. Hardy, who, in 1821, received from the trustees a mortgage of the chapel to secure his advances, which amounted to about £700. In 1833 the debt was reduced to £350. The congregation having increased, it was determined, in 1837, to build a new chapel, and a site was purchased and conveyed to the trustees upon the trusts of a deed of another chapel, prepared in 1832, and known to the Methodist body as the “model deed,” to which all subsequent deeds were conformable. By the trusts then declared, such persons only were to be permitted to preach as should be duly approved by a Methodist body called the Conference. Mr. Hardy assisted in advancing money to build the new chapel, and received as security a mortgage on the chapel. When the schism occurred it was alleged that the majority of the trustees of the chapels mortgaged were among the schismatics, who now called themselves Wesleyan Reformers, and that they had all formed a scheme of wresting the chapels from the preachers appointed by the Conference. The defendant united with the character of mortgagee those of acting trustee and treasurer of the two chapels, and it was alleged that he was using his powers as mortgagee, and had publicly recommended others to do the same—most of the Wesleyan chapels being mortgaged—for the purpose of carrying the general scheme into effect, and thus to deprive the Conference of the old body of Methodists of the use of their chapels. Mr. Hardy accordingly advertised the chapels for sale, and actually sold the old chapel, which was then in possession of the Reformers for their preachers. Similar proceedings by ejectment were resorted to by a person named Hill, to whom Mr. Hardy had transferred his second mortgage, for the recovery of the new chapel, and led to the filing of this information, which disputed the propriety of the transactions. His lordship was of opinion that Mr. Hardy, as mortgagee, had a right to assert a title adverse to the trust, and to transfer his mortgage to Hill. It might be proper to appoint new trustees in the place of those who had ceased to have any sympathy with the religious body from which they had seceded, but there was no ground for immediate interference. The motion was therefore refused, and there was no order as to costs.

20.—A great Protestant meeting was held at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Bignold, at which were adopted addresses to the Queen and the Archbishop of Canterbury, protesting against the aggression of the Pope, and condemning the Tractarian movement in the Church of England.

FEBRUARY.

1.—Douglas’s Theatrical Company, which performed in several of the towns previously visited by the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians for so many years under the management of the Fishers, concluded a successful season at East Dereham. “Those who have witnessed the performances have been agreeably surprised at finding so great an amount of talent in an itinerant company.”

3.—Died at Lynn, Mr. James Smith, many years manager of the Theatre Royal, Norwich. He was in his 74th year.

11.—A performance of “Speed the Plough” was given at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, for the benefit of Mr. George Bennett, the “Father of the Norwich Stage,” and “a member of the company in the palmy days of the drama in the city.” Mr. Bennett appeared in the character of Farmer Ashfield. “The Mayor gave his patronage, and in every part of the dress circle were to be recognised parties of high respectability, including the old familiar faces of those who, thirty or forty years ago, were wont to uphold and maintain the then palmy but now very depressed cause of legitimate drama.” The night’s receipts amounted to upwards of £90.

—The Norwich Town Council resolved to petition the House of Commons for the total repeal of the Window-tax.

18.—Mr. Peter Master Yarington was presented with a silver salver and a purse of 283 sovs., in recognition of his efficient discharge of duty as Superintendent of the Norwich Police. He was appointed Governor of the City Gaol on July 31st, and was succeeded as head of the police force by Mr. Dunne, formerly of the Kent constabulary. Mr. Yarington died, in his 41st year, on July 21st, 1852, and on October 19th of that year Mr. Robert Campling was appointed Governor of the gaol.

19.—Mr. Albert Smith gave his “new literary, pictorial, and musical entertainment,” entitled, “The Overland Mail,” at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich.

22.—A serious riot occurred at Yarmouth. Samuel Graystone, mate of the Ant, from Yarmouth to Plymouth, had signed articles to go the voyage, but was forcibly prevented by seamen from boarding his ship. Masters of other vessels complained to the magistrates that they had been subjected to similar treatment. The staff of the East Norfolk Militia and the Coastguard were called out to keep the riotous seamen in check, and two troops of the 11th Hussars were conveyed by special trains from Norwich to assist in quelling the disturbance. The cavalry rode through the town, and quickly cleared the streets. “The rioters, frightened by the mere appearance of the troops, flew in every direction up the narrow rows of the town, and in a few hours tranquillity was restored.” It was stated that, but for the timely arrival of the troops, a body of Gorleston seamen would have made an attack upon the town. Several of the rioters were tried at the Quarter Sessions on March 6th, when, to the surprise of the Court, a verdict of not guilty was returned.

26.—Died at his family seat, Kirby Hall, the Hon. and Rev. Lord Berners. “He succeeded to the title and estates on the death of his brother Robert, Lord Berners, better known in the sporting world as Col. Wilson. He only attended at the House of Lords on a few occasions, one of which was to vote for the Reform Bill; but though absent in person, his proxy was always given to the support of the Whigs, of which, through life, he was a firm and constant supporter.”

—An exhibition of hawking was given on Hellesdon Brakes, near Norwich, by Mr. Barr, the celebrated Scottish falconer. Many hundreds of persons were present. Mr. Barr used four young hawks of the peregrine species. They were flown at pigeons which were let loose, and in two hours two dozen were brought to the ground. “The first two or three were so frightened, that when pursued by the hawk they took refuge among the people, and one of them alighted on the back of a horse, and was taken by hand.” Mr. Barr gave a second exhibition on March 10th, on Mr. George Gowing’s land at Trowse.

MARCH.

9.—A fire occurred at the office of the “Norwich Mercury,” Castle Street, Norwich. The roof of the building fell in, and the compositors’ room, with most of the cases of type, was destroyed.

13.—Dr. White, the eminent translator of “D’Aubigné’s History,” delivered, in the old Council Chamber at the Guildhall, Norwich, a lecture on “The Causes and Consequences of the Reformation.”

27.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Jervis, the libel action, Abbott v. Bacon and Another, was tried. The defendants published a statement in the “Norwich Mercury,” to the effect that the plaintiff, a superintendent of the County Constabulary at East Dereham, had stolen certain articles from the shop of Mr. Abram, a chemist and druggist in that town. The jury assessed the damages at one farthing. On April 16th a motion was made in the Court of Exchequer for a new trial, on the ground of misdirection of the jury, and a rule nisi was granted. At a meeting held at the Norfolk Hotel, on April 5th, it was resolved, “That the recent trial offered a most painful illustration of the gross injustice which may be inflicted upon the editor of a newspaper who honestly and fearlessly comments on matters of general interest,” and a public subscription was opened to recoup the proprietors of the “Mercury” the loss they had sustained by their successful vindication of the liberty of the Press. In the Court of Exchequer, on June 27th, both sides agreed to a verdict being entered for one farthing damages.

28.—George Baldry (33) was found guilty, at the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Erle, of murdering Caroline Warnes, at Thurlton, by striking her on the head with a hammer. The sentence of death was commuted to transportation for life.

29.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Erle, John Whitley Cooper and Edmund Slingsby Drury Long, solicitors, and Frederick Goose, dealer, were indicted for unlawfully conspiring to obtain, by false pretences, from Sarah Roberts Tooke, widow, divers goods, furniture, and effects, with intent to defraud. Cooper was at the time undergoing sentence of twelve months’ imprisonment, passed upon him at Norwich Quarter Sessions on December 31st, 1850, for fraud. He was now sentenced to two years’ imprisonment in the Common Gaol; Long was acquitted, and Goose, who had absconded, forfeited his recognisances. The victim of this conspiracy, said the Judge, had been reduced from a position of respectability to one of absolute ruin.

APRIL.

12.—Mr. Fred Phillips, while performing the part of Rob Roy at Norwich Theatre, fell from a “fictitious precipice” and sustained a compound fracture of the bones of the leg “implicating the ankle joint.” He was removed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and “upon a consultation among the surgeons it was deemed necessary to amputate the lower extremity of the bone, an operation which was borne with heroic fortitude by the poor sufferer.” A performance was given at the Theatre on May 6th for the benefit of Mr. Phillips, when Mr. George Bennett made his last appearance on the stage, in the part of Farmer Ashfield, and Mrs. Phillips sustained the character of Miss Blandford in “The Ladies’ Club.” Mr. Phillips received a second benefit on April 20th, 1852, and on July 9th, 1853, announced that he had taken the Boar’s Head Inn, Surrey Street.

23.—The headquarters of the 11th Hussars, commanded by the Earl of Cardigan, marched from Norwich Barracks for Nottingham, and were succeeded on the 25th by the 2nd Dragoon Guard’s (Queen’s Bays).

—Samuel Woodhouse, of Plumstead, and William Pyle, of Holt, were buried alive in a well 115 feet deep, at Docking, by the falling in of 36 feet of soil. “Some of the inhabitants proposed to fill up the well and let them remain in it, stating that the same thing had been done at Tittleshall, where an inquest was held at the mouth of the well and the body or bodies remain there to this day.” Efforts were made, however, to recover the bodies. That of Pyle was found on May 14th, and of Woodhouse on the 15th. “Though the bodies had been buried exactly three weeks, on their being brought to the surface and moved about blood flowed freely from both of them.”

30.—Died, aged 78, Mr. Richard Slann, of Southtown, Great Yarmouth, historical engraver to her Majesty the Queen.

MAY.

3.—The Census returns for the city of Norwich were published. The number of inhabited houses was 14,990, of uninhabited 339, and in course of building 101. The population was 68,706, of whom 31,213 were males, and 37,493 females.

4.—A pauper named John Rowland, who had had a remarkable career, died at Lynn Workhouse. He was educated at Eton, and was afterwards a Fellow of King’s College, Cambridge. Ordained deacon and priest by Bishop Horsley, he officiated at St. James’s, Westminster, and went out to St. Petersburg as chaplain to the Embassy. Subsequently he either threw off his gown or had it taken from him, and became a blacksmith and coach-spring maker in Norfolk Street, Lynn. He was apprehended, tried, and transported for stealing iron, the property of Mr. Bottomley, of South Gates, in that town. At the expiration of his term of transportation he returned to Lynn, made a settlement in the town, and was for several years an inmate of the Workhouse. He died at the advanced age of 78 years.

12.—Died, at the age of 63, at his residence, the Close, Norwich, Mr. William Ollett, “who obtained justly-deserved eminence as a carver of wood for ecclesiastical purposes, and whose skill was called into requisition in most of the cathedrals of this kingdom.”

JUNE.

5.—The “members of Reffley” celebrated the 62nd anniversary of the building of their temple, “the society having existed before the memory of the oldest inhabitant” (of Lynn).

21.—The hand of a female was found in Miss Martineau’s plantation, Martineau’s Lane, Norwich, by a lad named Charles Johnson. Other portions of human remains were discovered between this date and the end of the month, in various suburbs of the city, namely, at Lakenham, Hellesdon, Mile Cross, &c. The remains were deposited at the Guildhall, where they were examined by Mr. Nichols, Mr. D. Dalrymple, and Mr. Norgate, surgeons, who pronounced them to be those of an adult female. (See January, 1869.)

JULY.

12.—The Yarmouth magistrates issued a warrant “to apprehend the bodies of George Danby Palmer and James Cherry, charged on the oath of William Norton Burroughes with being about to commit a breach of the peace by fighting a duel.” The incident arose out of an extraordinary scene at a public meeting, where “Mr. Palmer gave the lie to Mr. Cherry.”

14.—Died at Rackheath Hall, in his 83rd year, Sir Edward Hardinge John Stracey, second baronet. He was born in India, came to this country as a boy, and was educated at Norwich Grammar School and Christ Church, Oxford. He was subsequently called to the Bar, was for a time Clerk of the House of Commons, and succeeded his uncle, Mr. Hardinge Stracey, as counsel to the Chairmen of Committees of the House of Lords on Mr. Pitt’s appointment to office. For several years he was Chairman of Quarter Sessions for Cheshire, and a magistrate for that county as well as for Norfolk and Suffolk.

26.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Baron Pollock and a special jury, was tried the action, Baldry v. Ellis. This was an issue directed to be tried by the late Master of the Rolls, and involved the disposal of a sum of about £25,000. The jury had to decide whether one Bailey Bird, deceased, who contracted marriage in the year 1818, was competent to make that contract. A large number of witnesses deposed that Bird was of perfectly sound mind at the time of his marriage; an equally large number, including several medical men, asserted that he was an idiot. The jury were of opinion that Bird was not of sound mind at the time of the celebration of his marriage, and returned a verdict for the defendant.

28.—Henry Groom (42) was indicted at the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Cresswell, for the murder of John Ayton, by shooting him with a pistol, at Burnham Thorpe, on July 4th. He was executed on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on August 16th.

AUGUST.

8.—The steeple of St. Cuthbert’s, Thetford, fell upon the roof of the church, carrying away one of the arches and destroying the organ.

9.*—“A letter from Philadelphia, of the 16th ult., announces the death of Mr. Davenport, formerly lessee of the theatres on the Norwich circuit. He had been making a successful tour in the United States with his talented daughter. He died a few days before, at Cincinnati.”

16.—On this date was published an extract from the “New York Express,” giving particulars of a confession of murder by a private named Thomson, belonging to the 1st Royals, then stationed at Halifax, North America. He stated that when at Norwich eight years previously he was on terms of intimacy with a woman. A quarrel had occurred between them, and he had thrown her into a canal. The crime had so preyed upon his mind that he determined to give himself up to justice and allow the law to take its course. On September 13th it was announced that Thomson had been brought to England and committed to Winchester Gaol, pending inquiries by the police of that city. Two police-officers came to Norwich, investigated the affair, and elicited the following remarkable facts: Thomson was stationed in Norwich with the Carabineers in 1846, and afterwards exchanged to the 1st Royals, then in Canada. A girl named Anna Barber was in the habit of frequenting the barracks, and became acquainted with Thomson, whom she appeared to have displeased. In the month of August, 1846, a tailor named James Taylor was fishing for eels in the river near Blackfriars Bridge when he heard a scuffle, a shriek, a splash, and the sound of retreating footsteps. He immediately rowed to the place and assisted out of the water a young woman, who refused to give him her name. She went away, and no report was made to the police. In 1850 Anna Barber was again seen in Norwich. It was evident, therefore, that the remorse which impelled Thomson to make his confession was groundless.

28.—The Norwich Corporation adopted the Public Health Act of 1848, and appointed twenty members as a Local Board of Health.

29.—The church of St. Matthew, Thorpe Hamlet, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich.

SEPTEMBER.

10.—Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak, then on a visit to England, attended a dinner given at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, by members of the Valpeian Club, established in 1847.

25.—A severe gale occurred off the Norfolk coast, and did much damage to shipping at Yarmouth.

30.—The opening of the Norwich Waterworks was publicly celebrated. The band of the Coldstream Guards played selections in the Market Place, 220 guests dined at the Assembly Rooms, under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Bignold, chairman of the Waterworks Company, and twenty thousand persons witnessed a display of fireworks in the Market Place. The works were commenced by Messrs. Lucas Bros., the contractors, in February. There were 20,000 yards of excavations, and 2,500,000 bricks, 15,000 yards of clay, 5,000 yards of filtering sand, 7,000 yards of filtering stone, 3,000 yards of concrete, and 40 tons of lead were used. The rising main was 4,000 yards in length, and 15 inches in diameter.

OCTOBER.

4.—Died at Hampton Court, in his 80th year, George William Stafford Jerningham, Baron Stafford. He inherited a baronetcy as Sir George Jerningham on his father’s death in 1809, and established his title to the barony, under letters patent of Charles I., through his great grandmother, after a reversal of the attainder of Sir William Howard, Viscount Stafford, in 1824. He assumed the additional name of Stafford in 1826. He was succeeded by his eldest son, Henry Valentine.

7.—Mr. George Cruikshank presided at the annual temperance festival held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and delivered an address.

16.—Bexfield’s oratorio, “Israel Restored,” was “brought out” at the Choral Concert, held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The principal vocalists were Miss Birch, Miss Williams, Mr. Benson, and Mr. H. Phillips. Dr. Bexfield conducted his work, which “created the greatest interest throughout the musical world, and hundreds of applications for reserved places were received from all parts of the kingdom.”

26.—Died at Philadelphia, the United States of America, aged 62, Mr. Richard Cowling Taylor, F.G.S. He was the author of many valuable works during his residence in Norwich The most important was his “Index Monasticus,” published in 1821. Mr. Taylor was a member of several scientific societies in America.

30.—Mrs. Fanny Kemble gave a reading of “King John,” at the Assembly Room, Norwich, and on the 31st read “Much Ado about Nothing.”

NOVEMBER.

4.—A lecture on the “Bloomer costume” was delivered at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, by a Mrs. Knights. “The large audience was composed for the most part of the male sex, shop assistants, and milliners’ apprentices. The amount of money taken must have been considerable, and we regret that there should have been so many persons found in this city ready to be taken in with such nonsense. Mrs. Knights was attired in Bloomer costume, an essentially ugly and unfeminine dress. She was greeted with derisive laughter, applause, and hisses, and she left the orchestra amid a storm of groans and disapprobation.”

5.—A sculling match from Surlingham to the New Cut at Thorpe took place between Lett, of London, and R. Buttle, of Norwich, for £25 a side. Lett’s boat was overturned soon after the start, and Buttle rowed over the course. A second match, for £10 a side, was rowed on the 10th, between Bramerton Wood’s End and the New Cut, and was won easily by the Norwich man.

8.*—“Before the Lords Justices of Appeal was heard the case of the Attorney-General v. the Corporation of Norwich. It arose on the question whether the Corporation have authority to apply the borough fund in soliciting a Bill in Parliament to enable them to improve the navigation of the River Wensum. The information was filed at the relation of two of the ratepayers, and it prayed that the Corporation might be restrained from promoting and prosecuting a Bill in Parliament for this purpose and at their expense. The appeal was dismissed, with costs.”

10.—Mr. Charles Winter was elected Mayor, and Mr. Robert Wiffin Blake appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.—Mr. S. C. Marsh and Capt. Pearson (the retiring Mayor) were nominated for the Mayoralty of Yarmouth. The voting being equal, Capt. Pearson gave the casting-vote in his own favour, and declared himself duly elected.

18.—Winter set in with great severity; snow fell to the depth of two or three feet, and a severe frost commenced.

DECEMBER.

6.—The Eastern Counties Association for obtaining Agricultural Relief held its first public meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. Its principal objects were to obtain the repeal of the Malt-tax, a re-adjustment of the tithe system, security for tenants in making improvements, a reform in the management of county expenditure, and the abolition of the Game Laws.

11.—A coarse urn was turned up by a plough at Easton. The vessel contained about 4,000 small brass coins of the Lower Empire. The earliest amongst them were of the period of Gallienus, and there were about 2,500 of the Constantines; nearly 600 had the wolf and twins, and about 800 bore the victory with spear and shield. Mr. Goddard Johnson made a descriptive list of the coins.

26.—Died, in his 38th year, at Malvern, Worcestershire, Mr. J. B. Wigham, son of Mr. Robert Wigham, of Norwich. “He was a Fellow of the Royal Geological Society, and was well known as having personally collected one of the best cabinets of tertiary fossils in the kingdom.”

—Macarte’s Circus Company performed in a temporary building erected on the Castle Meadow, Norwich.

1852.

JANUARY.

5.—Died at Letheringsett, Johnson Jex, originally a blacksmith and afterwards a manufacturer of watches. He was born at Billingford in or about the year 1778. After the death of his mother, in about 1830, he led a life of complete solitude, and became a scientific anchorite. “The first watch ever constructed by Jex was made after he had settled at Letheringsett, for his friend the Rev. T. Munnings, of Gorgate Hall, near East Dereham. Every part of this watch, including the silver face, and every tool employed in its construction, was of Jex’s own making.”

10.*—“Dr. Woolley is resigning the head mastership of King Edward VI. Grammar School (Norwich), on his appointment as principal of the University College and professor of classical literature in the University of Sydney.” He was succeeded by Dr. Vincent.

10.—Mr. Justice Patteson retired from the Bench. With the exception of Barons Parke and Alderson, he was, in point of official service, the oldest judge on the Bench.

19.—After many delays, the statue of Lord Nelson, executed by Mr. Milnes, of London, arrived in Norwich, and was placed in St. Andrew’s Hall for public inspection. The estimated cost of the statue was £700. A public subscription was opened in Norwich in 1847; by 1848 £175 had been contributed; in October, 1849, the fund reached £268, and in October, 1851, £300. “At present (1852) the whole amount subscribed, which is scarcely £400, will not repay the sculptor for the purchase of the block and his out-of-pocket expenses.” (See March 24th, 1856.)

21.—Died in London, Lieut.-Col. John Smith, of Ellingham Hall, “a generous supporter of the trade and interests of the district.” He served several years in India, in the 2nd Madras Light Cavalry, and resigned his commission shortly after succeeding to the Ellingham estate. The funeral took place at Ellingham, on February 27th.

MARCH.

2.—A requisition, signed by one thousand persons, was presented to Mr. T. O. Springfield, soliciting him to offer himself as a candidate for the representation of Norwich. Mr. Springfield declined the request, on the ground that Parliamentary duties would tend to the shortening of his life.

6.*—“Died, lately, on the West Coast of Africa, in the 19th year of his age, Charles, youngest son of Mr. Wood, of Morston. He was a midshipman on board H.M.S. Sampson, and was put in charge, under Lieut. Gilbert Elliott, with twelve of the best seamen and one carpenter, in October last, of a slave felucca captured by the Sampson, and was last seen off the island of St. Thomas on the 31st, and departed on that day for Badajoz, a distance of five or six days’ sail; but although anxiously expected, and notwithstanding several ships of war having since passed over her track, she has never been heard of since. Some heavy tornados are said to have occurred about the time she was missed.”

12.—A special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held, “to take into consideration the recent gross insult to the citizens of Norwich in the person of their Chief Magistrate.” The Conservative members, with one or two exceptions, abstained from attending. It was resolved, “That the Mayor of Norwich for the time being is, by prescription and charter, the first citizen of Norwich, and by custom and courtesy has been always so esteemed in public and private; that the Council learn with regret that a gross insult has been offered to the Mayor in a place of public amusement, and it is the opinion of the Council that the conduct of the individual who offered the insult is derogatory to him as a magistrate and a citizen.” The resolution was adopted, and it was further agreed “That a copy of the resolution with respect to the insult offered to the Mayor by Capt. Ives, with the seal of the Council affixed, be transmitted to the Secretary of State, to the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and to the Mayor.” (No details were published.)

19.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Serjeant Adams (sitting as Commissioner in place of Mr. Justice Crompton), Hannah Neale was indicted for the wilful murder of William Neale, her husband, by poisoning him, at Outwell, in July, 1851. The jury acquitted the prisoner.

24.—Died at Woolwich, Col. Courtenay Cruttenden, R.A. He served in the Army 48 years, and was present at the capture of Guadeloupe, in 1815. For several years he was inspector of drills in the garrison at Woolwich.

27.*—“The late Edward Lombe, Esq., of Melton Hall, Wymondham, recently deceased at Florence, has left his personal property, subject to a life interest to his wife, to University College Hospital. The property is estimated at more than £25,000.”

APRIL.

10.—A statement was published as to the proposed disposal of the sum of £1,263 4s. 5d. realised by the two concerts given by Jenny Lind in 1849. It was her wish “that the money should be employed in founding and supporting some new charity, and, if possible, a lasting one, for the poor of Norwich.” The committee, “feeling that no charity could be permanent which was not in a great measure self-supporting,” resolved to devote the money to establishing public baths and wash-houses. A large malthouse in St. Stephen’s, formerly the property of Mr. Crawshay, was to be purchased for £700, and plans and specifications for converting the building into baths had been prepared by a London architect, “but unfortunately the lowest tenders exceed by a very large amount the sum at the disposal of the committee. They find that unless they can raise £1,000 in addition to their present fund, they must entirely give up the undertaking.” The Mayor was requested to convene a public meeting, which was held at the Guildhall on April 21st, when Mr. Samuel Bignold moved a resolution in favour of the adoption of the baths scheme. Mr. Henry Browne strongly protested against the proposed misappropriation of the money, and the question was adjourned for a month. Meanwhile several local charities made claims for assistance, and on May 27th a further adjournment was decided upon. The matter was in abeyance until February 7th, 1853, when Dr. W. H. Ranking, in a letter to the Norfolk Chronicle, advocated “the endowment of an additional ward or wards in the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, to be appropriated to the treatment of diseases of children.” On May 30th, 1853, a public meeting was held at the Guildhall, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop, “for the purpose of promoting the establishment of an institution for sick children.” It was resolved, on the motion of Mr. J. G. Johnson, seconded by the Mayor (Mr. Coaks), “That an infirmary for the treatment of the diseases of sick children be established in Norwich, to be called the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Sick Children.” The first meeting of the supporters of the new institution was held under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Samuel Bignold), “in the house in Pottergate Street taken for the Charity,” on December 16th, 1853.

17.*—“The premises of the old Waterworks Company have been purchased of the Corporation by the new company, who have liberally offered to give up their interest in Chapel Field to the Corporation on condition that the latter shall undertake to lay out the Field as a park and pleasure-ground, so as to render it an ornament to the city. The Corporation will have a considerable surplus fund in hand when the company have paid the purchase-money for the Waterworks. By a plan submitted by Mr. Lynore, engineer of the Waterworks, the Field will be enclosed by a dwarf wall and railings, with handsome entrance-gates at the Theatre Street, Crescent, and St. Giles’ corners, and a porter’s lodge at the latter. The interior is to be laid out in the style of the London parks, the reservoir to be retained, but altered in shape, and the present tower to be ornamented and furnished with waiting-rooms, it is also proposed to place the Nelson statue on an elegant fountain pedestal in the centre of the reservoir.”

18.—Died, Mr. George Bennett, comedian, aged 76.

MAY.

1.—A detachment of the 4th (Queen’s Own) Light Dragoons arrived at Norwich Cavalry Barracks, to relieve the Queen’s Bays, who had marched for Manchester.

—*“We have now had ten weeks’ drought, the last wet day being the 18th of February.”

2.—Died, in his 49th year, at his residence, Grosvenor Street, London, Mr. John Dalrymple, F.R.S. He was the eldest son of Mr. William Dalrymple, the distinguished Norwich surgeon. After studying under his father and at Edinburgh University, Mr. Dalrymple passed his examination before the College of Surgeons in 1827, and commenced practice in Norwich. In 1832 he was elected an assistant surgeon to the Royal London Ophthalmic Hospital, of which institution he became, in 1843, full surgeon. In 1847 he was appointed consulting surgeon to the North London Infirmary, and in 1851 became a member of the Council of the College of Surgeons. Mr. Dalrymple was one of the founders of the Royal College of Chemistry.

7.—In the Court of Queen’s Bench an important decision was given in the case of the Queen v. Robert Wiffin Blake, who had been required to show by what authority he had exercised the office of town councillor at Norwich. At the previous municipal election Mr. Blake, who was then one of the six aldermen of the city, became a candidate for the office of councillor of the Fourth Ward. Mr. Cundall, a Conservative, was his opponent. Mr. Blake having a majority of five votes, the presiding alderman and assessor returned him as duly elected, notwithstanding that notice had been given of his ineligibility. The Court decided that Mr. Blake could not be elected a councillor while holding the office of alderman. The defendant filed a disclaimer of the office of town councillor, and therefore allowed judgment of ouster to pass against him, with costs. (See November 23rd.)

8.—Died at Nice, in his 85th year, General Auguste De Bardelin. For many years the deceased was a highly respected resident in Norwich. A native of Aix, in Provence, and born of a noble family, he was appointed one of the garde du corps of Louis XVI., and was on duty at Versailles on October 6th, 1789, when the Royal palace was assailed by the insurrectionary mob of Paris, and the King and Queen were defended from assassination through the heroic sacrifice of life by many gentlemen of their bodyguard. M. De Bardelin accompanied the French princes in their exile, and afterwards came to England and settled in Norwich. There he remained about twenty-two years, supporting himself by teaching the French and Italian languages. In 1814 he accompanied Louis XVIII. to Paris, and the Government of the Restoration being established, he resumed his military occupation. After Bonaparte’s second abdication, he returned with has lawful Sovereign. For ten years from that time M. De Bardelin continued to reside at the Royal chateau at St. Germains, in which a handsome suite of apartments was appropriated to his use, where he always delighted in welcoming the visits of his Norwich friends. In 1830 he was promoted to be Général Maréchal de Camp. In 1815 or 1816 the Chevalier married Miss Sutton, a lady well-known to Roman Catholic families of distinction in Norfolk and Suffolk. Madame De Bardelin died in 1826. In 1830 General De Bardelin resigned has command and resided in Paris till 1848, when the Republic being proclaimed, he went to his native province, and in the winter of 1851 sojourned at Nice. “He always referred to his residence at Norwich as the best period of his life. His pupils at Thurgar’s school were enquired after with affectionate interest; he remembered the hospitalities at Crown Point, where General Money gave him a second home, and he never could forget the day when he quitted Norwich by the mail coach from the Angel Inn, on the restoration of the Bourbons;—passengers, horses, and all were decorated with white cockades, and a host of friends assembled to cheer and bid him farewell in true old English style.” The daughter of General De Bardelin became the Baroness de Fabry.

14.—St. Martin-at-Palace church, Norwich, was re-opened, after being restored and in great part rebuilt. In August, 1851, while the church was undergoing repair, a portion of the roof fell in and brought down with it the eastern end of the north aisle.

23.—A serious fire took place at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich. The roof was entirely consumed, and a number of rooms destroyed. The Watch Committee, on May 21st, held an inquiry into certain allegations regarding a deficiency in the water supply, and the inefficiency of the fire-engines.

31.—Kensington Gardens, Lakenham, were opened to the public, who “found amusement in the collections of animals and birds.” During the Assize week “there was a pyrotechnic and scenic exhibition on the meadow side of the river, called, ‘The Storming of San Sebastian,’ being an imitation of the pyrotechnic display at Cremorne.”

JUNE.

5.—Election proceedings commenced in Norwich with the arrival of the Marquis of Douro and Lieut.-Col. Dickson, who had been adopted Conservative candidates. The Whig-Radical candidates, Messrs. Peto and Warner, arrived at Wymondham on the 9th, and proceeded thence by road to Norwich. At Mile End a procession was formed, headed by men carrying large and small loaves, labelled respectively “Free Trade” and “Protection.” In the evening the candidates addressed a great meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall. (See July 7th.)

—*“Through the exertions of several persons interested, the city and county magistrates have taken steps to put a stop to spring netting in the Wensum and Yare, and a fund is being raised to defray the expenses of protecting the rivers and prosecuting offenders.”

15.—A cricket match, between 22 of Lynn and 11 of All England, commenced at Lynn, and concluded on the 16th. Lynn, 63—58; All England, 41—66.

19.—The Witton estate was purchased by Mr. John Penrice for £18,900. “The Cromer Hall estate, the property of the Countess of Listowel, including the Gothic mansion, several farm-houses, and upwards of 1,200 acres of land, with several manors, has been purchased by private contract for £60,000, by Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, M.P. for Boston.”

JULY.

2.—At the Norfolk Sessions the county justices received the resignation of Col. Richard Montague Oakes, Chief Constable. Capt. Black was elected in his place on October 22nd. Col. Oakes was presented, on October 23rd, with a silver vase, subscribed for by the superintendents and constables of the Norfolk constabulary.

7.—The nomination of candidates for the representation of Norwich took place at the Guildhall. The show of hands was in favour of Messrs. Peto and Warner, and a poll was demanded on behalf of the Marquis of Douro and Col. Dickson. The polling-booths were opened at eight o’clock on the morning of the 8th, and closed at four o’clock in the afternoon, and the result was officially declared at one o’clock on the 9th: Peto, 2,190; Warner, 2,145; Douro, 1,592; Dickson, 1,465. The issues on which the election was fought were Free Trade and Protection.

—Mr. C. E. Rumbold and Sir E. Lacon, “Moderate Conservatives,” and Mr. W. T. M’Cullagh and Sir C. Napier, Whig-Radicals, were nominated Parliamentary candidates for Yarmouth. The polling took place on the 8th: Lacon, 611; Rumbold; 547; M’Cullagh, 521; Napier, 486.

8.—Lynn election: Lord Jocelyn, 627; Lord Stanley, 551; Mr. Robert Pashley, Q.C., 383. The two first-named were returned.

9.—The Hon. Francis Baring and the Earl of Euston were returned unopposed for the borough of Thetford.

12.—Mr. Edmond Wodehouse and Mr. Henry Negus Burroughes were returned unopposed as members for East Norfolk.

17.—The nomination of candidates for West Norfolk took place at Swaffham. Mr. William Bagge and Mr. George Pierrepont Bentinck were the Conservative nominees, and Mr. Anthony Hamond the Liberal candidate. “Mr. Hamond was formerly a Protectionist, and opposed Mr. Cobden at the Free Trade meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, only a week before Sir Robert Peel proposed to repeal the Corn Laws. Mr. Hamond now avows himself a Free Trader.” He was nominated at the last moment to fill the vacancy occasioned by the retirement of the Hon. E. K. Coke. The poll was opened on the 20th and 21st, and on the 23rd the result was declared as follows: Bagge, 3,421; Bentinck, 3,143; Hamond, 1,973.

AUGUST.

14.—A general meeting of the Deputy Lieutenants of the County was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of the Act 15 and 16 Vic., for raising a force not exceeding 80,000 men, of which number 50,000 were to be raised in 1852, and 30,000 in 1855. The Earl of Orford moved, and it was resolved, that the Lord Lieutenant be requested to apply to the Secretary of State to obtain her Majesty’s Order in Council for the subdivision districts to be made coterminous with the Superintendent Registrar’s districts; and to be furnished with a list of the number of men liable to serve in each subdivision and parish. On September 18th measures were adopted for the enlistment of two regiments of Militia—612 men to serve in the Western Regiment, and a like number in the Eastern Regiment. Sufficient numbers of men were forthcoming without having recourse to the Ballot Act. (See April 19th, 1853.)

21.—Bylaugh Hall, the stately home of the Lombe family, was completed at about this date. The mansion was erected under the provisions of the will of Sir John Lombe, Bart., who died in 1817. The will directed “that so long as the house remained uncommenced the money should be invested and allowed to accumulate at compound interest.” The new mansion was begun in 1849, under the supervision and control of the trustees in whom the building fund was vested. It was erected from the designs of Messrs. Banks and Barry, of London, by Messrs. Piper, of Bishopsgate Street, whose contract amounted to £29,389. The interior was decorated by Mr. Sang “and his German artists.” (See July 4th, 1857.)

SEPTEMBER.

14.—Intelligence was received at Norwich of the death of the Duke of Wellington. The muffled bells of the city churches were tolled for several hours. On November 18th, the day of the funeral, the principal shops were closed, and the Mayor and Corporation and the military forces stationed in the city attended a special service at the Cathedral.

17.—Mr. S. Chambers, R.N., made a balloon ascent from the Vauxhall Gardens, Yarmouth, and descended on Mautby marshes.

18.—Died at Saham Toney, John Thurston, labourer, in the 105th year of his age.

21.—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The opening concert included selections from the works of classical composers, and a reading by Mrs. Fanny Kemble from the “Midsummer Night’s Dream,” with incidental music. “Israel Restored” was performed at the morning concert on the 22nd, and selections by popular composers were given in the evening. On the morning of the 23rd, “Jerusalem” (H. H. Pierson) was performed for the first time, and a miscellaneous concert took place in the evening. “The Messiah” was rendered on the morning of the 24th, and a dress ball was held in the evening. The principal vocalists were Madame Viardot Garcia, Madame Fiorentini, Miss Louisa Pyne, Miss Dolby, Miss Alleyne, Signor Gardoni, Mr. Sims Reeves, Mr. Lockey, Signor Belletti, Mr. Weiss, and Herr Formes. Mr. Benedict conducted. The gross receipts were £4,665 7s. 2d.; gross expenses, £4,171 17s. 1d.; surplus, £493 10s. 1d.

30.—Died, Rear-Admiral William Fisher, captain superintendent of Sheerness dockyard, and author of two naval novels, “The Petrel” and “The Albatross.” He was the second son of Mr. John Fisher, of Yarmouth, and was born November 18th, 1780. Admiral Fisher entered the Navy in 1795, and was engaged in many important services. He married, in 1810, Elizabeth, sister of Sir James Rivett Carnac, Bart., Governor of Bombay.

OCTOBER.

5.—A prize-fight took place on St. Andrew’s Green, near Bungay, between James Perowne, of Norwich, and James High, of Ellingham. “The former was seconded by a man named Mace,” and the other by Smith, of Ditchingham. The police endeavoured to take possession of the ring, but were put to flight by the mob; and the men fighting to a finish, High was declared the victor. Principals and seconds, with the exception of Mace, were subsequently committed for trial, and at Beccles Quarter Sessions, on October 18th, were bound over to keep the peace. Jim Mace was apprehended at Litcham, on November 2nd, and at Beccles Quarter Sessions on January 3rd, 1853, was ordered to enter into his own recognisances to be of good behaviour.

6.—Died at Quebec, Stephen Codman, for thirty-six years organist of the cathedral church in that city. He was a native of Norwich, where he received his musical education under Dr. Beckwith.

7.—The Priory Schools, Yarmouth, were opened by the Bishop of Norwich. “The site of the schools originally formed the refectory of the Benedictine friars. Many of the walls of the priory still remain, and the hall has been for many years used for the ignoble purposes of a stable.”

27.—A meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, at which a public subscription was opened for the erection of a statue to the memory of the Duke of Wellington. On October 4th, 1853, it was decided that the statue should be of bronze, and Mr. G. Adams was commissioned to prepare the model. (See November 2nd, 1854.)

NOVEMBER.

6.—Died at Ormesby, near Yarmouth, in his 82nd year, Rear-Admiral Black, one of the oldest officers in the Navy. He had seen much active service, and had been employed on the North-West coast of America.

9.—For the office of Mayor of Norwich two candidates were nominated—Mr. Samuel Bignold and Mr. Richard Coaks. The voting was equal, and the Mayor giving his casting-vote in favour of the latter, Mr. Coaks was declared duly elected. Mr. George Womack was appointed Sheriff. (See November 23rd.)

22.—Election petitions were laid upon the table of the House of Commons, against the return of Messrs. Peto and Warner, as members for Norwich. (See February 24th, 1853.)

23.—In the Court of Queen’s Bench a rule in the nature of a quo warranto was applied for, calling upon Mr. Coaks, Mayor of Norwich, to show by what authority he exercised that office. The affidavits stated that on November 9th there were two candidates for the Mayoralty, Mr. Bignold and Mr. Coaks, and that the retiring Mayor refused to record the vote of Mr. Cundall in favour of Mr. Bignold. Consequently the voting was even, and the retiring Mayor gave his casting-vote in favour of Mr. Coaks. The affidavits further stated, in support of Mr. Cundall’s right to vote, that at the election of councillors on November 1st, 1851, Mr. Cundall was a candidate in opposition to Mr. Robert Wiffin Blake, then one of the aldermen of Norwich, and therefore ineligible to be elected a councillor; and that Mr. Cundall had, prior to the election, given notice of Mr. Blake’s disqualification, but that Mr. Blake was elected by a majority of five votes. Subsequently, on a quo warranto being filed against him, judgment of ouster was obtained. Mr. Cundall therefore made the required declaration before two councillors, and took his seat as a councillor at the late election of Mayor, and claimed to have his vote recorded for Mr. Bignold, which, if received, would have placed him in a majority of one over Mr. Coaks; but such vote was rejected by the retiring Mayor. The Court granted the rule. The Attorney-General showed cause against the rule on January 28th, 1853. The Court was of opinion that Mr. Cundall had made out a clear prima facie case, and the rule for the quo warranto was made absolute. Lord Campbell gave judgment in the case on January 21st, 1854. He said it entirely depended on the right of Cundall to vote. He held that on November 9th, 1852, Cundall was a member of the Council, and had a right to vote for Mr. Bignold, and if he had so voted Mr. Bignold would have been duly elected Mayor. Mr. Coaks had usurped that office, and the quo warranto had been properly issued. Mr. Justice Crompton was of the same opinion. Judgment for the Crown.

DECEMBER.

11.*—“The long-continued rains have increased the floods in the valleys of the Eastern division of the county. Throughout the valley of the Yare, a large extent of land has been for some time under water, on either side of the river, for a distance of thirty miles.” At Southery and Feltwell about 8,000 acres were flooded, and upwards of one hundred poor families were compelled to leave their habitations. The estimated loss to the district was between £25,000 and £30,000, and a public subscription was opened for the relief of the sufferers.

21.—The Public Library and Museums Act Committee reported to the Norwich Town Council that it was desirable to hire the Museum for the use of the public for two days in the week, and to erect a building for the purposes of a free library, and that, in compliance with the Act, a rate of one halfpenny in the pound be levied, one-third to be devoted to the former object, and two-thirds to the latter. The principle of the rate was affirmed, and its application postponed for further consideration. (See September 13th, 1854.)

24.*—“Died at Reedham, a few days since, at the advanced age of 103, Mr. John Softly. He retained his faculties and was an active man up to the time of his death.”

26.—One of the most terrific storms of wind and rain ever remembered at Norwich occurred on this date. In the rural districts many stacks were blown down and scattered in all directions.

1853.

JANUARY.

8.—M. Gompertz’s panorama of the invasion of British India by the Sikh Army of the Punjaub was exhibited at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich. One of the scenic attractions was a representation of “the crypt of the Holy Sepulchre, under three distinct aspects,” a dioramic illusion which forms a popular feature in similar entertainments at the present day.

13.—A miraculous escape was recorded at Swaffham. A drunken man named Edward Horsepool went into the yard of the Angel public-house, at three o’clock in the morning, with the intention of lying down in a shed. By mistake he opened the door of the covering of a disused well, and stepping in, fell to the bottom, a depth of 117 feet. A tramp sleeping in the shed was awakened by the man’s cries, and gave an alarm. Mr. William Laxon, collar maker, procured ropes, and Horsepool was rescued uninjured, after having been half an hour in 20 feet of water. He had kept his head above the surface by clinging to the broken sides of the well.

22.—In the Prerogative Court, before Sir J. Dodson, was tried the action Gilbert (administratrix of Woolner) v. Hammond. It had reference to granting administration, with will annexed, to the goods of Miss Margaret Creak, of Norwich, who died on June 5th, 1850, possessed of personal property of about £30,000 and realty of the estimated value of £500 per annum. The will bore date January 13th, 1844, and its effect was to leave, with some trifling exceptions, the personal property to Mr. Woolner, a chemist and druggist, who was also appointed executor. The will was originally propounded by Woolner, who afterwards committed suicide, and his sister, Mrs. Gilbert, now applied for probate, as his administratrix, which was, in the first instance, opposed by Mrs. Hammond, a cousin-german and one of the next-of-kin of the deceased, but she died during the pendency of the suit, and her husband subsequently took up the case. When the disposition of the property became known, a great many rumours were put in circulation, imputing foul play to Mr. Woolner, which was the cause of his committing suicide. Judgment was pronounced, on Feb. 4th, in favour of the will. The Judge said the relatives had a right to inquire into the transaction, and had they confined themselves within due limits would have been entitled to costs out of the estate; but they had persisted down to the close of the argument in charges which they had failed to prove, and, therefore, in decreeing probate of the will to Mrs. Gilbert, he must accompany it with the condemnation of Mr. Hammond in £100 costs, nomine expensarum.

FEBRUARY.

17.—Mr. C. J. Palmer, at a meeting of the Yarmouth Town Council, called attention to the unsatisfactory condition of the Corporation records, and stated that many of the documents in existence in Manship’s time no longer existed, whilst several others belonging to the town were in the hands of private individuals in Norwich. A committee was appointed to examine and schedule the charters and rolls, and to avail themselves of the services of Mr. Henry Harrod, of Norwich, “for their better elucidation and classification,” at an expense not exceeding £20.

18.—The first snowfall of the season occurred on this date, and was heavier than had been known for several years. The mails were delayed, and great inconvenience occasioned. The morning train from London was detained for fourteen hours at Lakenheath. At Lynn, on the 23rd, the tide rose to a great height, and the low-lying parts of the town were under water. A breach occurred in the river bank near Magdalene, and occasioned the loss of much live stock and farm property.

21.—Died at Leeds, aged 69, the Rev. Robert Fountaine Elwin, rector of Wilby-with-Hargham. He was well known in Norwich for the active part he had taken in the Musical Festivals from their commencement. A few years before his death he retired to Leeds, where he resided with his only daughter, Mrs. Hyde. Mr. Elwin not only possessed fine musical taste, but was skilled in mechanics, and an excellent connoisseur of the fine arts. “Whether in the company of the great, presiding at the Choral Society’s meetings, or lecturing to mechanics, it was always delightful and instructive to listen to him.” Mr. Elwin’s paternal grandfather married a granddaughter of Oliver Cromwell.

24.—In the House of Commons, Capt. Baldero presented a petition from certain electors at Norwich, who had petitioned the House against the return of the sitting members, complaining that their petition had been withdrawn without their consent, and praying that the order discharging the petition might again be put on the orders of the House. Mr. T. Duncombe presented a protest from Col. Dickson, complaining of the withdrawal of the petition. It was alleged that Mr. Brown, the Parliamentary agent, had been guilty of a breach of privilege by withdrawing the petition. A motion for printing the petition was agreed to. On March 2nd a Select Committee was appointed to inquire into the matter. The investigation commenced on March 10th, and concluded on March 17th, on which day Mr. Duncombe brought up the report of the Committee. They were of opinion that Mr. Brown had received no instructions to withdraw the petition, but as they could find no precedent as to the proper mode of proceeding under the circumstances, they left it to the House to determine whether it could comply with the prayer of the petitioner. On March 12th a great Liberal meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Coaks), at which resolutions were adopted expressing indignation at the allegations made before the Select Committee with regard to Messrs. Peto and Warner. A duel was to have been fought between Col. Dickson and Col. Forester (a witness before the Committee) on March 19th, but “at the eleventh hour the matter was fortunately adjusted by the friendly interposition of an hon. member who sits on the opposite side of the House. Mr. Culpepper represented Col. Dickson, and Mr. Craven Berkeley, M.P., was the friend of Col. Forester.” It subsequently transpired that the withdrawal of the petition formed part of an arrangement and compromise entered into between Mr. Henry Edward Brown and Mr. James Coppock, solicitor, in pursuance of which eight petitions were simultaneously withdrawn, as implicating the seats of ten members of the House, namely, Norwich, 2; Kidderminster, 1; Gloucester, 1; Middlesex, 1; Youghal, 1; County Down, 2; and West Norfolk, 2.

24.—At Norwich Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder, Mr. Prendergast, the appeal case, Colman v. Clarke, was heard. Mr. Evans and Mr. Palmer were for the appellants, and Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Bulwer for the respondent. It was proved that in the early part of May, 1852, Messrs. Colman established at Carrow a business for the manufacture of cake from refuse rice, and it was alleged that after the process had been carried on for a short time offensive smells were observed in the neighbourhood. The firm were summoned before the magistrates for permitting a nuisance, and were fined. They now appealed against the conviction, on the ground of informalities in the original proceedings, and of want of jurisdiction on the part of the magistrates. The conviction was quashed.

28.—Hengler’s Circus and Roman Amphitheatre, Castle Meadow, Norwich, was opened with the production of a grand equestrian spectacle, entitled, “Kenilworth Castle.”

MARCH.

9.—Died at his residence, Great Stanhope Street, London, in his 78th year, General Sir Edward Kerrison, Bart., K.C.B., G.C.H. He entered the Army in 1796, as Cornet in the 6th Dragoons, and received the rank of General in 1851. He served at the Helder in 1799, and in 1808 took part in the campaign of Sir John Moore, and was present at the battle of Corunna. As Colonel Kerrison, he commanded the 7th Hussars from 1813 to 1815, through various campaigns. At the battle of Orthes he received a severe wound, and he was again wounded in the battle of Waterloo, where his horse was shot under him. Sir Edward Kerrison received his baronetcy in 1821, when he was nominated a G.C.H., and in 1840 a K.C.B. In 1830 he was appointed to the colonelcy of the 14th Light Dragoons. For forty years he was member of Parliament for Eye. He married a daughter of Mr. Alexander Ellice, and left a son and three daughters.

12.—Died at Pulham, Mr. Cornelius Whur, the author of several volumes of poems. He was known as “the Suffolk Poet.”

19.—The Rev. William Beauchamp was driving down the hill into Trowse when his horse ran away and upset the gig. In his fall he sustained a severe fracture of the skull and died instantly. Mr. Beauchamp, who was the second son of Sir William Beauchamp Proctor, Bart., of Langley-park, was 35 years of age, and had been rector of Chedgrave about ten years. He left a widow and five young children.

21.—Three hundred members of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows dined at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, and presented to Mr. Samuel Daynes, Past Grand Master of the Unity, a purse of 133 sovs., in recognition of his exertions in promoting the interests and extension of the Order during his year of office.

29.—A vessel named the Reindeer, belonging to the port of Yarmouth, owned by Mrs. King, of Gorleston, and commanded by Captain Wilson, was on her voyage from Valparaiso to Monte Video when the crew mutinied, and murdered the captain, steward, and two Roman Catholic priests (passengers). The mutineers then launched a boat, filled it with the most valuable portion of the cargo, and scuttled the ship.

APRIL.

4.—A fire occurred at Hunstanton Hall. The rooms were quickly cleared of the paintings and furniture, which were safely deposited in the school house. There being no possibility of saving the south and west sides, great efforts were made to preserve the north and east sides, with which object the communicating portions of the building were broken down, and the flames thus prevented from extending. In a few hours the roof of the west side fell in. “The bed in which it is generally believed Queen Elizabeth slept was not injured in the slightest degree.” The damage to the hall was estimated at £10,000.

7.—Intelligence was received at Norwich of the birth of a Prince (Prince Leopold), at Buckingham Palace. Flags were hoisted on the public buildings, and peals rung upon the bells of St. Peter Mancroft.

19.—The men enrolled to serve in the First or West Norfolk Regiment of Militia assembled at Norwich for twenty-eight days’ training. The officers were: Col. the Earl of Orford, Lieut.-Col. Nelthorpe, Major William E. Lytton Bulwer, Captains Hamilton F. Custance, Charles Bedingfeld, the Hon. Fred. Walpole, George A. Marsham, Mordaunt Glasse, H. L. Styleman le Strange; Lieutenants M. Gooda, Gordon Calthrop, Thomas S. Clarke, H. D. Walff, C. Girling, Chas. E. Bignold, John Edwin Day, A. W. Smith, Robert G. Hawtayne; Ensign Thomas Edward Baker; Adjutant and Acting Paymaster and Acting Quartermaster A. W. Smith; Surgeon Thomas W. Crosse; Assistant Surgeon T. E. Baker. The mess was at the Swan Hotel. “The corps consists of 612 men, and notwithstanding the vulgar sneers, reproaches, ridicule, and even hooting which they experienced from the rabble on their first appearance in the streets, in no instance was this conduct resented. We are glad that the conduct of our Liberals, by publicly parading disgusting flags, and the Peace Society in circulating exciting and seditious handbills, with the view to holding up this force to contempt and ridicule, has signally failed.” The East Norfolk Militia assembled at Yarmouth on the same date. “Their appearance was much more respectable than might have been expected, and many of those who were prepared to ridicule them acknowledged that they were a much better class than they expected.” The officers were: Col. the Hon. Berkeley Wodehouse; Lieut.-Col. William Mason; Major Sir E. K. Lacon; Captains John Longe, the Hon. Bertram Wodehouse, John Marcon, Henry Cormick, George Grenville Glover, John Gay; Lieutenants William Robert Freeman, Richard Hall, Henry Thomas Knapman, William Danby Palmer, Richard Lee Mayhew, William Reed, Frederick John Reyne, George Chester Wood, Alexander Robert Chamberlin; Adjutant William P. K. Browne; Surgeon John Capern Smith; Assistant-Surgeon Spencer Thomas Smyth. Of the 612 men enrolled, 571 appeared on parade. The Earl of Leicester, as Lord Lieutenant of the county, inspected the East Norfolk Regiment at Yarmouth on May 12th, and the West Norfolk Regiment at Norwich on the 13th. The men of the latter corps were entertained at dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall after the inspection. The cost of the entertainment was defrayed by public subscription.

26.—The foundation-stone of the Wayland Hall, Watton, was laid by Lady Walsingham. The hall was opened on November 3rd, on the occasion of the annual meeting of the Wayland Society, at which Lord Walsingham presided.

27.—A fine schooner, named the Ocean Child, was launched from the ship-yard of Mr. Southgate, at Wells-next-the-Sea.

30.*—“Died lately at Bergh Apton, at an advanced age, Mr. John Dawson, deputy registrar for the Loddon Union. He was likewise known as an active peace officer. Previous to the establishment of the police force, the whole business of thief-taking devolved upon petty constables, but as the requisite tact and intelligence was not found in every parish, what was called a running constable was usually appointed in each petty sessional division, who was considered the detective-officer of the district. Mr. Dawson was justly considered one of the first of his profession. Upon the formation of the new force these hitherto indispensable functionaries were entirely superseded, and Dawson, among others, found his occupation gone.”

MAY.

20.—There were no prisoners in Lynn gaol. To celebrate the unique circumstance the prison doors were thrown open, and the Mayor entertained the whole of the police force and borough officials to a dinner, served within the building.

JUNE.

7.—The Norwich Diocesan Training Institution for school-mistresses was removed to spacious premises in St. George’s Colegate. The Institution was founded in 1840.

9.—A cricket match between eighteen of Norwich and eleven of All England, commenced on the new Cricket Ground, Newmarket Road, Norwich, and concluded on the 11th. Norwich, 110—46; All England, 58—70.

14.—The City of Norwich Waterworks New Bill received the Royal assent. “By this Bill power is given to the Corporation of Norwich to convert Chapel Field into a public pleasure garden.”

18.—Announcement was made of the resignation of Superintendent Dunne, of the Norwich police “on the ground that he had been so much obstructed by those who ought to have assisted him in the discharge of his duties, that no alternative had been left him but to resign.” On July 6th Mr. Stephen English, of Pontefract, was elected to the post.

25.—Died, at Doughty’s Hospital, Norwich, in her 81st year, Miss Tubby, “well-known as box-keeper at our Theatre for many years, and highly respected.” She possessed a remarkable fund of information upon local theatrical matters, and for nearly half a century “Miss Tubby’s night” was one of the principal events in the Norwich season.

28.—The new cult of “table-turning” or spiritualism was introduced in Norwich for the first time at a séance given at St. Andrew’s Hall by a Mr. King.

—The first piles of the Wellington Pier at Yarmouth were driven by the Mayor (Mr. S. C. Marsh), Mr. D. Waddington, chairman of the United Norfolk and Eastern Counties’ Railway Companies and of the Pier directors, and by the Mayoress. A dinner was held at the Victoria Hotel in celebration of the event. The Pier was opened by the Mayor on October 31st.

JULY.

1.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions it was reported that the Secretary of State for the Home Department had ordered the formation of a corps of Artillery Militia for the county.

9.—A thunderstorm of great severity occurred at Norwich. The main sewer in London Street burst from the enormous pressure upon it, and its contents inundated the adjacent business premises. Every house at the bottom of Exchange Street was flooded, and fire-engines were afterwards employed to pump the water from the cellars. The weather continued to be very stormy during the succeeding week. The newly-completed tower and spire of Mundham church were wrecked and became a heap of ruins.

23.—Three troops of the 6th Dragoon Guards (Carabineers), under the command of Capt. Sawyer, marched into Norwich from Chobham Camp. The headquarters were stationed at Ipswich.

25.—Miss Fanny Vining appeared at Norwich Theatre as Margaret Elmore in “Love’s Sacrifice.”

30.—The Norfolk Chronicle announced the repeal of the advertisement duty and of the duty upon newspaper supplements.

31.*—Died at Shoreditch Workhouse, London, Benjamin Reeder, of Helhoughton, who was in many respects a very remarkable character. He had served sixteen years as a private in the 2nd Dragoon Guards. “Altho’ of an obtuse and somewhat forbidding appearance, he possessed an uncommon faculty for mathematical attainments. He had Euclid at his finger ends, while his knowledge of algebra and logarithms enabled him to solve in a few minutes the most difficult questions. He once had the management of a school, but his irregularities reduced him to the level of a common labourer, and eventually he ended his days in the union house.”

SEPTEMBER.

3.*—“The degree of Doctor of Music has been recently conferred on Mr. Buck, organist of Norwich Cathedral, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, in the exercise of the privilege possessed by his Grace as Primate of bestowing that and other degrees in divinity and arts upon persons of merit in any of those faculties.”

4.—An interesting ceremony took place in the tower of the dilapidated church of Eccles-next-the-Sea. The Rev. Edward Evans, of St. Stephen’s, Norwich, who had recently been presented to the vicarage, read himself in, and preached to a congregation of about 200 persons. “Owing to the want of the church, which has been destroyed upwards of 200 years by the encroachments of the ocean, this is a sinecure benefice, and the inhabitants use the neighbouring church of Hempstead. The tower of the church in which the ceremony took place is embedded in sand to the height of the former walls of the church.”

8.—George Borrow performed an intrepid act on Yarmouth beach. “The sea raged frantically, and a ship’s boat, endeavouring to land for water, was upset, and the men were engulfed in a wave some 30 feet high, and struggling with it in vain. The moment was an awful one, when George Borrow, the well-known author of ‘Lavengro’ and ‘The Bible in Spain,’ dashed into the surf and saved one life, and through his instrumentality the others were saved. We ourselves have known this brave and gifted man for years, and daring as was his deed, we have known him more than once risk his life for others.”

17*.—“If the rivalry of the different railway companies in this district has been agreeable to the public it has been attended with fearful loss to the shareholders. Excursionists are not expected to object to being carried from Norwich to London for half a crown, but we should suppose that the proprietors in the Eastern Union will have a decided objection to the great increase of their working expenses to 60 per cent. by the process. The ruinous competition now going on can only be terminated by a union of interests, and it appears, from the reports of the Eastern Counties’ and Eastern Union Companies, that an amalgamation is proposed.”

—The kitchen floor of a house, occupied by Mr. Bunting, on St. Giles’ Hill (near St. Giles’ Gates?), Norwich, suddenly gave way, and Mrs. and Miss Bunting, who were in the apartment, were precipitated with the chairs, table, and other furniture, into a funnel-shaped hole 27 feet in depth. When rescued they were insensible but uninjured. “Caves were some time since cut through the hill in different directions and of considerable length, and the whole of the hill has been at various periods excavated for chalk. Some of the caves were used for wine vaults, and it appears that one of these caves passed under the back of Mr. Bunting’s house. A water-pipe had been leaking for a long time, and it is supposed that the water descending through the soil caused the roof of the cave to give way, and the whole of the earth above to fall with it.”

24.—A young man named E. Elson completed the task of walking from Lynn to Dereham and back, a distance of 60 miles, for six successive days.

26.—A violent hurricane of wind and rain did great damage in the county. “The injury to orchards and gardens has been immense, and the apple crop, which was an abundant one, has been reduced probably one-half.” On the coast there were many shipping casualties, attended by loss of life.

OCTOBER.

10.—The hand-loom weavers in Norwich struck for a rise of wages. A memorial was presented to the manufacturers, asking for an advance of twopence per dozen on all finished fabrics.

16.—Died at Liverpool, aged 70, Admiral Bell, C.B., son of Mr. J. Barker Bell, of Gorleston, Yarmouth. He entered the Navy in 1796, and distinguished himself in many actions against the enemy. He attained to flag rank in October, 1846.

26.—A public demonstration took place at Lynn in honour of Lieut. S. Gurney Cresswell, the bearer of the despatches from Commander M’Clure, relating to the expedition in search of Sir John Franklin. Lieut. Cresswell was presented with a congratulatory address at a meeting held at the Guildhall, and afterwards entertained at dinner at the Assembly Rooms. He was third son of Mr. Francis Cresswell, a partner in the banking firm of Gurney, Cresswell, and Co., King’s Lynn, and a native of the borough, where he was born in 1827. Not only was he the bearer of the despatches announcing the discovery of the North-West passage, but he had taken an active and important part in the expedition.

29.—Died at his residence, Monmouth Road, Bayswater, Dr. Bexfield. He was born in Norwich on April 27th, 1824, and at seven years of age became a chorister at the Cathedral. At the age of eleven he composed an anthem in eight parts, which fully satisfied Mr. Buck that he possessed extraordinary talent. On the expiration of his articles in his 21st year, he was elected organist of Boston parish church, and in the same year graduated Mus. Bac. at Cambridge. He afterwards published his Concert Fugues for the organ, which were played during the Great Exhibition. In 1847 he composed his “Six Songs,” and earned for himself the popular distinction of “the Poet-Musician.” He was appointed, out of thirty-five candidates, organist at St. Helen’s, Bishopsgate, London. At about this time he published a collection of pieces under the title of “Musica di Camera,” and at the age of twenty-four took the degree of Mus. Doc. Dr. Bexfield was the author of a volume of “Church Anthems,” which formed part of the repertoire of most English cathedrals. In 1850 he married a daughter of Mr. J. B. Millington, solicitor of Boston. The work on which his reputation mainly depended was his oratorio “Israel Restored,” which on two occasions he conducted at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, viz., at its first production at the Choral Society’s concert in October, 1851, and at the Musical Festival in 1852. A benefit concert was given at St. Andrew’s Hall on December 16th for his widow and family. The sum of £500, including a donation of 20 guineas from the Queen, was realised.

NOVEMBER.

6.—Died at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea, the Right Hon. Lord Charles Vere Ferrars Townshend, of Rainham Hall and Tamworth Castle. He was born in 1783, and in 1812 married his cousin, the eldest daughter of General William Loftus. The funeral took place at Rainham on November 24th. He was succeeded in his estates by his nephew, Capt. John Townshend, R.N., member for Tamworth, who also became heir to the marquisate.

9.—Mr. J. R. Gough, of America, delivered a temperance oration at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. He also addressed meetings on the 10th and 11th.

—Mr. Samuel Bignold was elected Mayor, and Mr. Henry Birkbeck appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.—A new church was opened at Wootton. It was built on the site of the old church at the sole expense of the Hon. Mrs. Howard. It cost nearly £6000.

13.—The announcement was published that Mr. David Fisher, the actor, who was so well known and highly respected in Norwich and Norfolk, had made a successful début at the Princess’s Theatre, London.

DECEMBER.

1.—In the Vice-Chancellor’s Court application was made in the suit Jermy v. Jermy for the administration of the estate of the late Mr. Jermy, of Stanfield Hall. The only question that arose was about certain timber growing on the estate and fines of copyholds. But a difficulty of a novel character had occurred. Since the murder the mansion had been untenanted. Although many persons were willing to take it they could not procure servants who would live in the house, so great was the superstitious feeling which existed. It was stated that the parties were willing to allow the house to be occupied for two years for nothing, in order to overcome the prejudice. The Vice-Chancellor said that Mrs. Jermy Jermy was entitled to a third of the timber and fines, and he expressed surprise that such prejudices existed against the house.

3.—Died, at her residence on the Castle Meadow, Norwich, in her 85th year, Amelia Opie, widow of John Opie, R.A., and only daughter of Dr. James Alderson. After her marriage with Opie in 1798 her numerous literary productions gained her considerable reputation, and as a novelist she moved in the highest literary circles. Her works included “Father and Daughter,” “Simple Tales,” 4 vols. (1806); “New Tales,” 4 vols. (1818); “Temper, or Domestic Scenes,” 3 vols.; “Tales of the Heart,” 4 vols.; “Detraction Displayed” (moral treatise); “Illustrations of Lying,” “Lays of the Dead,” and other poems. Mrs. Opie was a member of the Society of Friends, and her remains were interred in the Quakers’ Burial Ground, Gildencroft, on December 9th.

17.—The provision of a time-ball connected by electric telegraph with Greenwich Observatory, and exhibited in a prominent position in Norwich Market Place, was, in consequence of the irregularities of the public clocks, advocated in the Norfolk Chronicle on this date.

20.—A meeting of the landowners, farmers, and tradesmen of Harleston and the district was held at the Corn Hall in that town, to consider the desirability of promoting the construction of a railway from Tivetshall station on the Eastern Union line. In 1851 an Act of Incorporation was obtained for making a railway from Tivetshall to Bungay, but from various causes, chiefly from the depression in the railway world, no further steps were at that time taken.

22.—Died, at the house of his son-in-law at Cambridge, aged 69, Mr. Seth William Stevenson, F.S.A., one of the proprietors of the Norfolk Chronicle. He was elected Sheriff of Norwich in 1828, he became alderman in the same year, and in 1832 served the office of Mayor. Literary pursuits, especially of an antiquarian character, engrossed his leisure. In early life Mr. Stevenson made several Continental tours. The year after the battle of Waterloo, he, in company with Capt. Money, visited the scene of the struggle, and afterwards published “A Journal of a Tour through part of France, Flanders and Holland, including a Visit to Paris and a Walk over the Field of Waterloo in the Summer of 1816.” The work was dedicated to the Norwich United Friars Society, of which literary body he was almost the last surviving member. In 1828 appeared the account of a second tour in Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the Netherlands. The book to which he devoted no inconsiderable portion of the last ten years of his life was the complete “Dictionary of Roman Coins.”

24*.—“We have received from Mr. Garthon, one of the district surgeons of Norwich, a return in a tabular form showing the extraordinary number of 96 cases of small-pox in Heigham and St. Benedict’s, during the last three months. These arose from the strong prejudice still existing amongst ignorant and poor people against the only preventive—vaccination.”

—The funeral of the Marchioness of Wellesley took place at Costessey Hall, whither the remains had been removed from Hampton Court. “In accordance with the good old charitable practice a dole of bread was given to the poor of Costessey on the occasion of the funeral.”

26.—Mr. Joseph Clarence produced at Norwich Theatre his grand Christmas pantomime, entitled, “Harlequin Prince Bluecap and the King of the Silver Waters, or the Three Kingdoms, Animal, Vegetable, and Mineral.”

1854.

JANUARY.

1.—Died at his residence, Thickthorn, near Norwich, in his 71st year, Mr. Richard Hanbury Gurney. He was the son of Mr. Richard Gurney, of Keswick, and in early life was a member of the Society of Friends. In 1818 Mr. Gurney was elected member for Norwich in conjunction with Mr. W. Smith; he was re-elected in 1820, in 1830, and in 1831. At the General Election in 1832 he and the other Liberal candidate, Mr. Ker, were, after a very severe contest, defeated by Lord Viscount Stormont and Sir James Scarlett. Mr. Gurney was a patron of the Turf and a genuine lover of old English sports, but he was never known to bet. His remains were interred, on January 9th, at the Rosary Burial-ground, Norwich.

3.—A heavy snowstorm, accompanied by a severe gale from the north, passed over the Eastern district. The snow was deeper than had been known for many years previously; all the roads were blocked, and railway communication between Yarmouth and London was stopped. The telegraph poles were blown down, and the wires broken. A train which left Fakenham at 6 a.m. did not reach Norwich till 5.15 p.m. At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, at Norwich, on the 4th, it was found impossible to form a grand jury, in consequence of the non-attendance of those who had been summoned. All travelling by road was suspended for some days; the port of Lynn was frozen up, and several ships were driven ashore at Yarmouth.

5.—A serious collision occurred on the line near Thetford. A train conveying sixty navvies, who were employed to clear away the snowdrifts, ran into the down train from London. “The engines rose up into the air, and two men on them were instantly killed; two others in the train from Norwich were also killed by the tender being driven through the carriage in which they were seated.” The Rev. Joseph Bell, of Barningham, a passenger in the London train, died on the 8th from the injuries he received, and Mr. Thomas Ellison, of Dove Street, Norwich, another passenger, succumbed on the 14th. The Coroner’s jury, after repeated adjournments, returned, on February 6th, a verdict of manslaughter against Mr. Peter Ashcroft, superintendent of the permanent way, and Mr. John Latham, locomotive superintendent, who, it was alleged, had acted contrary to the orders of Mr. King, station-master at Harling Road. At the Norfolk Assizes, on March 24th, before Lord Chief Baron Pollock, the jury, without hearing the defence, acquitted the defendants.

15.—Died at Heigham Hall (private lunatic asylum), Norwich, aged 84, Mr. Cockle, “the original proprietor of the antibilious pill which goes by his name, and who some years ago sold the recipe for several thousand pounds.”

21.*—“An invention calculated to prove of great national benefit has been recently patented by Mr. Samuel Rainbird, carpenter, of Norwich. It is described in the specifications as an apparatus for grappling and raising sunken vessels and other submerged bodies.”

—A meeting of the Deputy Lieutenants of the county decided, by 25 votes to three, that Yarmouth was the most suitable place in the district at which to centre the three regiments of Norfolk Militia. At another meeting, held on February 25th, the former resolution was rescinded, and it was agreed “that the present Committee be empowered to receive estimates and tenders for building barracks for one regiment of Militia at Norwich, and for one regiment of Militia and one regiment of artillery at Yarmouth, on such plans as they may think best suited for the purpose.”

27.—Died near Holston River, in Knox County, East Tennessee, North America, Mr. William Forster, of Earlham Road, Norwich, in his 70th year. He was a member of the Society of Friends, and a brother-in-law of Mr. Fowell Buxton. He went out in the autumn of 1853 to carry petitions to the slave States of the Union, on behalf of the oppressed Africans.

MARCH.

8.—At a meeting convened by the Mayor (Mr. Bignold), and held at the Guildhall, Norwich, petitions to both Houses of Parliament were adopted in favour of an Act “for the legal prohibition of the sale of intoxicating drink during the whole of Sunday (except to bona fide travellers).” A committee was appointed to make arrangements for forming a Sunday Closing Association.

10.—A troop of the Carabineers marched from Norwich Barracks, to join the headquarters at Ipswich. The remaining troop left on May 1st.

—In the Rolls Court, before the Master of the Rolls, was heard the case, the Attorney-General v. Hudson, in re the Grammar School and Hospital at Norwich. This was an information filed by the Attorney-General, at the relation of certain inhabitants of the city, against the trustees appointed under the Corporation Act, of two charities called the Free Grammar School and the Great Hospital. The object of the information was to show that the Grammar School had not received a fair amount of the funds of the charity, and that undue preference had been given to the Hospital in their distribution. A decree was made, directing a scheme to be settled in Chambers. On December 18th it was stated in the Rolls Court that when the case was in Chambers a deed of covenant, contemporaneous with the letters patent of King Edward VI., and to which the Corporation were parties, had been found, by which the whole surplus, after the stipulated payments, was to be applied to the sustentation of the poor. The question then before the Court was how far this varied the case. It was contended that the Hospital and the poor were entitled to the entire surplus. The Master of the Rolls was of opinion that the deed did not control the letters patent, that no predominance or priority was given to one part of the charity over the other, and that the surplus rents should be equally divided, and in such a way as would be most consistent with the intentions of the founder. The case was taken before the Chief Clerk to the Master of the Rolls on February 6th, 1855. “The result is that upwards of £1,000 per annum in addition to the property comprised in the charter will be secured for the general benefit of the charity, including, of course, the School. The matter now stands over, in order that a scheme may be prepared for the general administration of the charity under the sanction of the Attorney-General.” On April 7th, 1855, it was announced that the following proposal had been made on the part of the “promoters of the new Grammar School” as to the future division of the funds “hitherto belonging to the Great Hospital”: “That the present salary of the chaplain of the said Hospital be increased £100 per annum, he having at present £200 per annum besides his residence; that one moiety of the net income of the charity be annually applied for the benefit of the School and the objects thereof, and that the other moiety be applied for the benefit of the poor in the Hospital; and that no further election of inmates shall be allowed to take place until the number shall by death or other causes be reduced to 100, and that until the numbers shall be so reduced, the expenses occasioned thereby shall be provided for out of the savings of the trust and now invested in the sum of £11,500 Consols, or out of any other monies in the hands of the defendants.” Another meeting was held in Chambers on May 9th, 1855, when the trustees strongly opposed the heads of the scheme; thereupon it was proposed that the Chief Clerk should proceed to Norwich and hold an inquiry. The trustees claimed the right to appeal against his decision, if necessary, and the Chief Clerk then declined to accede to the proposal. The trustees were invited to carry in the counter claim, but refused to do so. (See June 16th, 1857.)

13.—Henry Russell gave his entertainments, “The Far West,” and “Negro Life,” in the presence of between 2,000 and 3,000 persons, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.

16.—A meeting of the citizens was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. S. Bignold), at which it was agreed “that the wives and children of the Army of England called at this time on the service of their country to the seat of war, claim the sympathy of the British public, and that a subscription be forthwith commenced to relieve all such women and children as may be left in destitution and want.” Similar funds were raised in other parts of the county.

23.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Baron Parke, William Thompson, aged 21, was charged with the murder of Lorenzi Beha, at Tittleshall, on November 18th, 1853. Mr. Evans prosecuted, and Mr. Carlos Cooper defended. The prisoner was found guilty, and sentenced to death. The execution took place on the Castle Hill, Norwich, on April 8th. “The criminal’s struggles continued five minutes.” The lowest and most degraded classes in the city and county assembled on the Hill, “and more scenes of drunkenness and immorality were exhibited than had been seen for a long time previously in Norwich.”

25.*—“At the Walsingham Quarter Sessions, the Grand Jury, in making their presentment, called the attention of the Court to the prevailing nuisance occasioned by carts drawn by dogs, and to the facilities thus afforded for the commission of felonies. They recommended that some decisive steps be taken to procure an extension of the Act providing against this evil in and around London.” The provisions of the Act in force in the Metropolitan district were extended to the United Kingdom, and came into force on January 1st, 1855.

31.—Died at Haddiscoe, Edward Constance, aged 68, “well known for his sporting tastes, and for a considerable period a pedestrian follower of the hounds of the late Lord Berners, distinguished for his industrious habits and his ardent love of the chase.”

APRIL.

1.*—“An order has been received from the Home Secretary, calling upon the churchwardens of every parish in Norwich to discontinue forthwith the burials in the inside of their respective churches, and to discontinue those in the churchyards from and after February 1st, 1855. Burial Boards are about to be formed for the purpose of providing a suitable ground for interment in the vicinity.”

8.—Mr. G. V. Brooke concluded a week’s engagement at Lynn Theatre. He appeared in the parts of Othello, Master Walter (“The Hunchback”), Sir Giles Overreach, Claude Melnot, and Hamlet.

11.—A public meeting, held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, with the view of promoting the abolition of capital punishment, resolved to petition the House of Commons in favour of such abolition.

19.—An address to the Queen was adopted at a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, assuring her Majesty “that she had their unqualified support in the prosecution of the war.”

22.—That remarkable character, Philip Coots, better known as “Philip the Pieman,” and the “Drum-boy,” died at Norwich, aged 49.

—Died at Yarmouth, Eleanor Warrant, aged 102.

25.—The West Norfolk Militia, 1,000 strong, assembled at Norwich for a month’s training. The East Norfolk Militia and the Norfolk Artillery Militia commenced their training at Yarmouth on the same date. The East Norfolk Regiment was, on May 16th, presented with colours by the Lord Lieutenant.

26.—This date was observed as a day of humiliation. In Norwich shops were closed, all business suspended, and the Mayor and Corporation attended service at the Cathedral, where “the Almighty’s blessing was implored upon the war.” The day was similarly observed at Lynn and Yarmouth.

27.—Died at Mount Street, Grosvenor Square, London, Lieut.-Col. Nelthorpe, of the West Norfolk Militia, in his 83rd year. He was succeeded in the lieutenant-colonelcy by Major Custance.

MAY.

3.—At her Majesty’s Levée, Mr. Samuel Bignold, Mayor of Norwich, was presented and received the honour of knighthood. On the 17th the portrait of Sir Samuel was placed in St. Andrew’s Hall. It was painted by J. P. Knight, R.A., in 1850, exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1851, and afterwards engraved by Jackson.

21.—Died at Bethel Street, Norwich, aged 70, Robert Forster, formerly bandmaster of the 33rd (Duke of Wellington’s Own) Regiment. “At Waterloo he received a ball in his knee, which had never been extracted. He was a native of Norwich, and the only survivor of the band of the regiment, the whole having fallen by his side at Waterloo.”

JUNE.

30.—The Eastern Counties (Amalgamation of Railways) Bill was read a third time in the House of Commons and passed. One of the clauses was to the following effect: “That it shall not be lawful for the company to close or discontinue the Victoria Station at Norwich, now belonging to the Eastern Union Railway Company.”

JULY.

3.—Foot-racing was revived on the Old Cricket Ground at Norwich, by Mr. Thomas Sapey, a local sportsman. A one mile handicap, open to all England, brought twenty-four competitors, among whom were Thomas Horspool, of Sheffield (holder of the one mile champion belt); C. Welton, of Gateshead; William Newman, of London; Robert Bunn, John Brighton (“The Milk Boy”), Richard Fromow, Jim Mace (pugilist), William (“Cock”) Blyth, &c. The meeting was continued on the 4th.

7.—The first meeting of the Norwich Photographic Society (established on June 23rd) was held at Mr. W. Freeman’s, London Street. The objects of the society were the reading of original papers, the discussion of different photographic processes, the collection of pictures, and the formation of a photographic library.

20.—A dinner was held at the Town Hall, Yarmouth, to celebrate the inauguration of Lord Sondes as High Steward of that borough.

22.—Norwich Theatre was opened for the Assize week, under the management of Messrs. C. Gill and William Sidney, lessees of the Theatres Royal, Leicester, Portsmouth, Leamington, and Jersey. They also had the management of Yarmouth Theatre. The winter season commenced on November 11th. The new managers endeavoured to restore at Norwich the old style and prices of the entertainments. “On each Friday night the prices will be as they were a few years since, and on these occasions the pieces selected will consist of standard plays and comedies, concluding with a really funny farce.” The company was a good one, and “the starring system, which sacrifices every supposed subordinate character to two or three leading ones,” was “studiously ignored.” Mr. Gill (who was afterwards for several years manager of Lynn Theatre) withdrew from the partnership in 1855, and on December 10th in that year the winter season commenced under the sole management of Mr. Sidney.

AUGUST.

12.—Died at the residence of Lord Palmerston, in Carlton Gardens, London, Viscount Jocelyn, M.P. His lordship contracted Asiatic cholera while performing military duty at the Tower of London as Colonel of the Essex Rifles. The eldest son of the Earl of Roden, he was born on February 20th, 1816, and served on the staff of Lord Saltoun in the China Expedition in 1842. He was the author of a work entitled, “Six Months in China.” In February, 1842, on the appointment of Sir Stratford Canning as Ambassador at Constantinople, a new writ was issued for King’s Lynn, when Lord Jocelyn was returned for that borough as a Liberal-Conservative, and continued to represent it until his death. During the last two years of Sir Robert Peel’s Administration he held office as Secretary to the India Board.

15.—A whale of the “beak” species, measuring 29 feet in length and 21 feet in girth, and weighing nearly nine tons, was captured on Snetttisham beach. “When boiled, although the operation was unskilful, it produced 120 gallons of oil.”

16.—Lynn Athenæum, erected at the cost of £4,150, was inaugurated by addresses delivered by the President (Mr. H. Edwards) and Lord Stanley. The architects were Messrs. Cruso and Maberly and the contractors Messrs. J. and W. Purdy.

20.—A portion of a building at Lynn, originally a chapel-of-ease to St. Margaret’s church, and utilised as a workhouse, fell, killing a clockmaker named Andrews, and John Cana, a pauper. Fissures had been observed in the walls of the building, and measures had been taken to remove the inmates to another part of the premises, otherwise the loss of life would have been appalling. The first stone of the new Workhouse was laid on July 16th, 1855, by the Rev. J. Bransley, chairman of the Board of Guardians.

24.—A shocking accident occurred on the River Yare, near the Alder Car at Trowse Hythe, Thorpe. Mrs. Palmer (wife of Mr. T. H. Palmer, chief clerk at the Norwich County Court), her son, about six years old; Matilda Hubbard, a nursemaid; and William Plow, a lad, were drowned by the overturning of a pleasure-boat which had gone foul of a wherry.

SEPTEMBER.

8.—The first harvest thanksgiving festival held in the county took place at Brooke. It was the result of an attempt made by the vicar, the Rev. Dr. Beal, “to put a stop to the disgraceful scenes which too often characterise the close of harvest, and to the system of largess, which gives rise to cases of the grossest description.” After service at the church, men, women, and children had dinner on the vicarage lawn. “The Times” observed: “The attempt to put an end to the system of public-house harvest feasts, in which neither wives nor children can join, appears in this instance to have been eminently successful.” Many other villages in Norfolk, after the harvest of 1855, followed the example set by Brooke.

10.—The great west window at Norwich Cathedral, designed as a memorial to Bishop Stanley, was submitted to public inspection. It cost £1,500, and was designed and executed by Mr. George Hedgeland, of London.

11.—At the Norwich Police Court, the Rev. Henry Herring, formerly curate of North Pickenham, was charged with begging, under peculiar circumstances, on the previous day (Sunday), in the Cathedral Close. The prisoner, “with his gown on his back,” stationed himself in front of the great west door and exhibited a placard bearing the following inscription: “The law ordained that they which preach the Gospel should live by the Gospel. The Church of England withholds from me the justice of that tribunal which the civil law grants to the common murderer. Such is the spirit of that Church which professedly invites even a prodigal to repentance; I have spent £1,800 in her service, and have been driven to pass three nights in the streets of Norwich, and six nights in a lock-up (a hole where there is only straw to lie upon on a stone floor), solely for the want of better and proper accommodation. The Mayor and magistrates have encouraged me to apply to everyone that has a heart to feel for the miseries of a fellow-creature. I earnestly solicit the sympathy and charity of an enlightened public to enable me to live day by day and to defend myself by law from the tyranny and persecution of the Bishop of Norwich.—Henry Herring, late curate of North Pickenham, Norfolk. Norwich Streets, September 9th.” Superintendent English stated that he had offered to send the defendant to a situation in Yorkshire, or to Australia, where his brothers resided; but he had declined to avail himself of either. Mr. Herring promised not to repeat his behaviour, and was discharged.

12.—The opening concert of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival took place at St. Andrew’s Hall. The programme included Rossini’s “Stabat Mater,” a selection of sacred music, and (for the first time) “The Ninety-First Psalm.” In the evening there was a miscellaneous concert, including parts 1 and 2 of “Acis and Galatea.” On Wednesday morning (13th) Beethoven’s “Service in C” and “The Creation” were performed; at the miscellaneous concert in the evening selections from the works of Weber and Spohr were rendered. At Thursday morning’s concert (14th) “Elijah” was given, and at the evening concert miscellaneous items and selections from the works of Mozart. “The Messiah” was performed on Friday morning (15th), and in the evening a grand dress ball was given at the Assembly Rooms, with music by Weippert’s Royal Quadrille Band. The Festival artistes were Madame Angiolina Bosio, Madame Clara Novello, Madame Anaido Castellan, Madame Weiss, Miss Dolby, Signor Gardoni, Herr Reichardt, Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Bolletti, Mr. Weiss, and Signor Lablache. The instrumental solo performers were Mons. Sainton, violinist to her Majesty, and Mr. H. Blagrove, violins; Herr Hausmann, violoncello. Mr. Benedict was conductor. The gross receipts amounted to £4,244 5s. 2d., and the gross expenses and liabilities to £4,347 14s. 7d.; deficit, £103 9s. 5d.

13.—The foundation-stone of the Norwich Free Library was laid by the Mayor (Sir Samuel Bignold). Addresses were delivered by the Duke of Wellington, the Rev. Edward Sidney, Sir Morton Peto, M.P., Sir John Boileau, Sir Fitzroy Kelly, Mr. W. J. Utten Browne, and Mr. J. H. Tillett. (See March 16th, 1857.)

16.—Mr. J. H. Gurney was elected unopposed to fill the vacancy in the representation of King’s Lynn, created by the death of Lord Jocelyn.

23.*—“An attempt has been made at the Boar’s Head Inn, Surrey Street, Norwich, to originate a place of entertainment of a similar kind to Evans’ or Johnson’s, in the Metropolis. A room capable of seating upwards of 200 visitors has been very tastefully fitted up by the proprietor, the walls being adorned by a series of Norwich views exceedingly well painted by our scenic artist for many years, Mr. Thorne, and every evening there is a vocal and instrumental concert by parties of London professionals, who are almost weekly changed, so as to secure as large an amount of novelty as possible. Another new feature in this city is the introduction of the imperial measure for wine at the old rate of 2s. 6d. per pint.” This place, known as “The Shades,” was managed by Mr. Fred Phillips, and was the first music hall or variety entertainment in the city. The venture was not of a successful character.

25.—A meeting of the Norwich licensed victuallers was held at the Boar’s Head Inn, to protest against the Bill for “Regulating the Sale of Beer and other Liquors on the Lord’s Day,” which sought to prohibit the opening of public-houses between the hours of 2. 30 and six o’clock, and after ten o’clock on Sunday. The meeting decided to petition Parliament in opposition to the measure. At this meeting was formed a society called the Norwich Licensed Victuallers’ Association, of which Mr. Fred Phillips was elected president, Mr. Plane vice-president, Mr. Cushing treasurer, and Mr. S. Daynes secretary.

OCTOBER.

1.—Intelligence was received at Norwich of the victory of the allied armies at the Alma on September 20th. The bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung after service in the afternoon. A fictitious message reached Norwich on the same day (Sunday), announcing the fall of Sebastopol, and the tricolour was hoisted on St. Peter’s steeple. Regret was afterwards expressed that facilities existed “for circulating such hasty and erroneous despatches.”

7.—Died, at Brandon Parva, aged 100, Mary Goward, widow.

17.—A remarkable discussion arose at Norwich Quarter Sessions as to certain irregularities which were said to have occurred at Heigham Hall private lunatic asylum. The minutes of the proceedings of the visiting justices at an inquiry held by them on June 22nd were read. Dr. Hull alleged that the Rev. ---, then acting as chaplain at the Asylum, had been wrongly admitted as a patient. In his evidence he stated that in June, 1852, Mr. Nichols informed him that a country clergyman, a member of a high county family, had committed a rape, that his family wished to make him out to be mad, and that, in order to save him from a criminal prosecution, they desired to get him into a mad-house. Mr. Nichols requested Dr. Hull to grant a second medical certificate. Dr. Hull refused to comply. Mr. Nichols emphatically denied that he had used the expressions attributed to him by Dr. Hull. The justices came to the conclusion: “(1) That the Rev. Mr. ---, by being placed in the asylum under the circumstances disclosed in the inquiry, was rescued from the grip of the law on a criminal charge; (2) that the order and medical certificates upon which he was admitted into the asylum were regular and in the form prescribed by the Act of Parliament; (3) that in the opinion of the visitors the Rev. Mr. --- is not a proper person to have been appointed or to continue to officiate as chaplain to the asylum.” A letter from the office of the Commissioners in Lunacy was read, in which they stated they were satisfied that when the Rev. Mr. --- was admitted he was a proper person to be placed under medical care in the asylum. It was also asserted that the Commissioners had recognised him as the chaplain of the asylum. Mr. Palmer, who had moved that the licence to Heigham Hall be refused, ultimately withdrew his motion, and the incident terminated. At a meeting of the city magistrates in December, a memorial was addressed to the Secretary of State, asking that a “searching investigation be made, with power to call before the Commissioners all parties who may be able to give evidence upon the various points embraced in the case.” (No further action was taken.)

18.—The new bridge at Yarmouth was opened by the chairman and members of the Haven and Pier Commission. The contract price for the work of construction was £24,500, but the total cost, including the sums paid for property in the vicinity of the bridge, was estimated at £60,000.

19.—In an “extraordinary edition” of the Norfolk Chronicle, published on this date, was given a “nominal return of the casualties among officers in the action on the River Alma.” “1st Division—Scots Fusilier Guards: Captain W. G. Bulwer, wounded severely.”

25.—The first detachment of the V Battery Royal Artillery arrived at Norwich; and the second detachment marched in on the 26th. “The last time artillery were stationed in this city was in 1813, and they were then commanded by General Cockburn, father of Major Cockburn, of Bracondale.”

—At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, a committee was appointed to carry out the objects of the Patriotic Fund, in accordance with the terms of the Royal Commission.

—Killed at Balaclava, Lieut. Henry Astley Sparke, 4th Light Dragoons, eldest son of the Rev. J. H. Sparke, of Gunthorpe Hall, and nephew of Lord Hastings.

NOVEMBER.

2.—The Wellington statue, erected in Norwich Market Place, was unveiled by the Mayor (Sir Samuel Bignold) in the presence of 20,000 spectators. The band of the West Norfolk Militia played the National Anthem, and the Royal Artillery fired a salute on the Castle Hill. At the luncheon given at the Guildhall, speeches were delivered by the Earl of Orford, Lord Ranelagh, Sir John Boileau, Lord Royston, and Mr. H. J. S. Stracey. The statue cost about £1,000. “The hero is represented in the identical boots, cloak, and some other portions of dress actually worn by him at Waterloo, which were placed at the service of Mr. Adams, the sculptor, when he was modelling the figure. Mr. Adams has placed a copy of last Saturday’s Norfolk Chronicle in a small space chiselled for the purpose under the foot of the statue.”

8.—Swaffham Coursing Meeting, which had greatly degenerated, was held, but owing to the small number of entries, the sport concluded early in the afternoon. “Although it does not appear that in other places coursing meetings have declined, it is clear that the glories of the Swaffham one have departed. The loss of Mr. Richard Gurney struck a blow at it almost fatal. This was followed by the withdrawal of Mr. Hamond and others, leaving the club originally consisting of all the letters of the alphabet reduced to two members. Although disappointed by the curtailment of the sports of the field, it was determined that the ladies should have the assembly as usual. It was held on Tuesday (the 7th), but it was known that none of the Club would be there to meet them as heretofore.” The fortunes of the Club could only be restored, it was said, by throwing the meeting open to all England.

9.—Mr. Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor, and Mr. R. J. H. Harvey appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.—Mr. J. H. Tillett, it was announced on this date, had resigned his seat in the Norwich Town Council, in consequence of the Liberal candidate for the Seventh Ward “being forced upon the reluctant electors by bribery.” Mr. Tillett wrote: “A due regard to that peace of mind which is essential to a man’s happiness compels me to separate myself at once and for ever in the most decided and unequivocal manner possible from any association with those who are not prepared in public matters to adhere to a right and honest course.”

18.—Died at his residence, Pedestal House, Southtown, Yarmouth in his 89th year, Captain Manby, F.R.S., the inventor of the apparatus for saving the lives of shipwrecked mariners. “His life for the last fifty years had been spent in serving his country, and his name will be revered by thousands who would have been widows and orphans but for the successful application of science which was perfected by his untiring industry and perseverance.” His remains were buried at Hilgay on November 24th.

20.—Mrs. Fanny Kemble commenced a series of Shakesperian readings at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich.

DECEMBER.

8.—A writ was received at Norwich for the election of a member to supply the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr. Peto, M.P., “in consequence of the opinion of the law officers of the Crown that though he had consented to construct a railway in the Crimea without profit to himself, he would be liable to heavy penalties if he continued to sit in the House of Commons.” (See December 27th.)

9.—A description was published of the new Corn Hall at Diss, erected by a public-spirited resident, Mr. T. L. Taylor. The building was designed by Mr. George Atkins, jun. “Mr. Taylor intends vesting it in trustees for the purposes of a corn market at a nominal rental, and he further intends appropriating a spacious apartment for a reading-room and library.”

16.—Wombwell’s Menagerie arrived at Norwich, and was advertised under its new title, “Edmonds’, late Wombwell’s.” The exhibition was removed from its usual quarters on Castle Meadow to the Market Place.

22.—Died at his residence in Berkeley Square, Mr. William Howe Windham, of Felbrigg Hall. He was one of the representatives of the Eastern Division of Norfolk in 1832, when he was returned with the Hon. George Keppel, their opponents being Lord Henry Cholmondeley and Mr. Nathaniel Peach. In 1835 he came forward with Mr. R. H. Gurney, in opposition to Mr. Edmond Wodehouse and Lord Walpole, when the two last named were returned. In 1837 another election occurred, when Lord Walpole having retired, Mr. H. N. Burroughes was brought forward in conjunction with Mr. Wodehouse. Mr. Windham and Mr. Gurney, who opposed them, were again unsuccessful. Mr. Windham, who was a staunch Whig, was the oldest son of Vice-Admiral Windham (formerly Lukin), who took the name and arms in pursuance of the will of his uncle, the Right Hon. William Windham, in 1824, on succeeding to the estate on the death of Mrs. Windham. On the decease of his father, the Admiral, Mr. Windham succeeded to the Felbrigg property. He married, in 1835, Lady Sophia Hervey, daughter of the Marquis of Bristol, by whom he had one son, then in his fourteenth year. Mr. Windham died at the age of 53.

26.—Mr. J. F. Young, who for many years afterwards was a favourite actor in Norwich, made his first appearance at the Theatre Royal, in the character of Sir Edward Mortimer (“The Iron Chest”). The play was followed by a pantomime, entitled, “Harlequin St. George, or the Geni Czarnickholdofallhecan and the Fairy of Contentment.”

27.—The West Norfolk Militia assembled at Norwich for the annual training. The East Norfolk Militia were embodied on the same day, at Yarmouth.

—Sir Samuel Bignold and Mr. Anthony Hamond, of Westacre, were nominated candidates at the election at Norwich rendered necessary by the retirement of Mr. Peto. A poll, demanded on behalf of Mr. Hamond, took place on the 28th, and the result was officially declared on the 29th, as follows: Bignold, 1,901; Hamond, 1,635. After this election were published, for the first time, the expenses of the respective candidates. In Mr. Hamond’s accounts, under the heading, “hire of horses and carriages,” was the item, “W. Slaughter, Sedan chair, 15s.”

—Died, the Rev. Sir George Stracey, Bart., rector of Rackheath. “It is rather a singular circumstance that there has been but one presentation to the living of Rackheath during a period of 115 years. The late rector held the living from 1796, and his predecessor was presented to it in 1739.”

30.—A serious railway accident occurred between Thetford and Brandon. The up mail from Norwich, which left Thetford soon after 11 p.m., was detained two and a half miles beyond the station by a breakdown of the engine. Twenty-three minutes later a cattle train, travelling at full speed, dashed into the rear of the mail train. The engine-driver of the mail, John Burton, who was at work beneath his engine, was killed instantly, and three passengers in the rear carriage seriously injured. One, Mr. Meagher, a London undertaker, who had been attending the funeral of Mr. Windham, afterwards died. At the inquest, on January 15th, 1855, the jury found that the accident resulted from the inefficiency of the railway company’s rules in allowing a heavily-laden cattle train to follow a mail train at unlimited speed without telegraphic communication from the preceding station.

1855.

JANUARY.

1.—The railways from Reedham to Yarmouth and Lowestoft were flooded, owing to the high tides in the rivers. The metals were displaced, and on the 2nd traffic was stopped. At Yarmouth the water rose above the quayhead.

9.—Lynn Corn Exchange was opened for business. It was built from designs by Mr. Maberley, at the cost of £2,450.

—A “farewell festival” was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, “as a mark of respect and sympathy” to the Right Rev. Dr. Colenso, prior to his return to the diocese of Natal. Dr. Colenso, who was present had spent the greater part of the previous year in organizing means for carrying on his work in South Africa.

20.—Died in Victoria Street, Norwich, aged 67, William Laws, one of the proprietors of the Norwich Telegraph coach, which he had driven for upwards of twenty years.

23.—The Norfolk Artillery Militia were embodied at Yarmouth. The corps, on March 7th, proceeded to Eastbourne, for garrison duty, and returned to Yarmouth on April 25th. In the following month it was determined to increase the strength from 200 to 400 men and to appoint a lieutenant-colonel.

29.—Father Gavazzi, the popular Italian preacher and reformer, gave the first of a series of “Protestant orations” at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.

FEBRUARY.

10.*—“Died last week, at Lincoln, Mr. Benjamin Whall, Cathedral organist of that city, in his 75th year. He was a native of Norwich, and at an early age was distinguished for his splendid voice. At 19 he was appointed master of the choristers of Lincoln Cathedral, and subsequently organist, and held this situation for 56 years. He was distinguished as an organist, and was celebrated for his pure style of playing the old ecclesiastical compositions.”

20.—In consequence of the high price of provisions, the inclemency of the weather, and the want of employment, it was decided, at a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, to start a public subscription to aid the District Visiting Society in the relief of the poor.

24.—The dignity of a baronetcy was conferred on Mr. Peto, in appreciation of his services, “and more especially of his disinterested and patriotic conduct in retiring from the representation of Norwich to carry out the construction of the railway from Balaclava, originated by the Duke of Newcastle.”

26.—Died at Downham Green, Wymondham, Mr. James Neave, aged 68, “chairman of the market table at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich.” When hundreds of small farmers in the county were threatened with ruin after the great hailstorm, in August, 1842, Mr. Neave suggested to his brother agriculturists the introduction of a voluntary rate, by which about £10,000 was raised for the relief of the sufferers. Subsequently was established the Norwich Hailstorm Society, of which Mr. Neave was an active promoter.

MARCH.

9.—The Norwich police appeared in a new uniform. “The principal alteration in the clothing consists in the substitution of a frock-coat for the unsightly long-tailed coat, which is certainly a most becoming uniform for a civil force.”

21.—This day was observed as one of solemn fasting and humiliation, in accordance with Royal Proclamation. The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended service at the Cathedral, and there were numerous congregations at other places of worship.

22.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Baron Pollock and a special jury, was tried the libel action, Waldron, clerk, v. Bates, clerk. The Rev. Frederick William Waldron was a clergyman of the Church of England, and had been chaplain on board H.M. frigate Amazon, lying off the East India and China stations. On his return to England he became curate to the Rev. William Bates, rector of Burnham. After two years’ service, plaintiff gave the defendant three months’ notice of resignation. Mr. Bates supplied plaintiff with testimonials, by which he obtained the appointment of headmaster of a public school at Wymondham, in Leicestershire. In subsequent correspondence with the trustees of the school, the defendant stated he had “irrefragable proofs of the exceeding wickedness” of the plaintiff’s character, and, he added, “I call upon you, in the name of all that is holy and good, to dismiss him instantly from his employment.” After a trial extending over two days, the jury gave a verdict for the defendant.

26.—The battery of Royal Artillery marched from Norwich Barracks for Woolwich, whence they proceeded to the Crimea for active service. They were replaced, on April 4th, by the D battery, from Chatham, commanded by Capt. Mountain.

29.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Wightman, Mary Ann Fisher, aged 28, was indicted for the wilful murder of her husband, George Wright, at Norwich, on November 28th, by poisoning him. The jury acquitted the prisoner.

—Died at Cambridge, James Rattee, who was born at Fundenhall in 1820. After serving his apprenticeship with Mr. Ollett, carver, of Norwich, he commenced business for himself at Cambridge, at the age of 22. He was associated with Mr. Pugin in restoring the choir of Jesus College Chapel. Most of the designs were made by Rattee himself, and submitted to Pugin before execution. He carried out Mr. G. G. Scott’s designs for the carvings in Ely Cathedral, and by the advice of that gentleman spent part of the year 1852 on the Continent, where he studied the carved woodwork and artistic wrought ironwork and sculptured stone of Quintin Matsy and the other master spirits of Louvain and neighbouring cities. Returning to England, he constructed at Ely the reredos composed of choice stone and alabaster, highly enriched with delicate carving and inlaid with gold and gems, forming the most glorious piece of art workmanship executed since the Reformation. His work is to be found in churches in every county in England.

31.—Capt. Wodehouse was backed to run one mile in six minutes, on the Earlham Road, Norwich. In the presence of a large number of spectators, he ran the first half mile in less than three minutes, and accomplished the second half in 2 minutes 56 seconds. He was attended by Jim Mace. On the 31st Capt. Wodehouse performed the feat of walking one mile in 8 mins. 16 sees.

APRIL.

1.—The remains of Richard Peck, an agricultural labourer, aged 69, were buried in Docking churchyard. “The deceased had worked for forty-two years on the Choseley Farm, an extra-parochial place, and cottage property, distant from Docking two and a half miles, where he was obliged to reside, no labourers being permitted to live at Choseley. Thus he walked to and from his work five miles per day, 30 miles per week, 1,560 miles per year, and the extraordinary number of 65,520 miles during his forty-two years’ employment. This circumstance might be multiplied by numbers in England in general, and West Norfolk in particular, showing cogent reasons for Mr. Baines’ Poor-law Bill being made the law of the land.”

6.—Died at her residence, St. Martin-at-Palace, Norwich, aged 38, Harriet Gurney Gordon, many years a favourite actress at Norwich and at different metropolitan and provincial theatres.

16.—Mrs. Fanny Kemble commenced a course of Shakesperian readings at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich.

28.*—“Mr. Clare Sewell Read, son of Mr. George Read, of Plumstead, near Norwich, has been awarded by the Royal Agricultural Society the prize for the best essay on the farming of Buckinghamshire. Mr. Read obtained last year the society’s prize for his essay on Oxfordshire, and had also been a successful competitor in a former year for his essay on farming in South Wales.”

29.—Died, aged 86, Mr. J. Watts, of Yarmouth, for many years coachman of the Telegraph coach running between Norwich and Yarmouth.

MAY.

3.—A dinner to celebrate the freeing of Duke’s Palace Bridge, Norwich, was held at the Duke’s Palace Inn, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Robert Chamberlin). “Upwards of twelve years have elapsed since the abolition of the above toll-bridge was first mooted, and the citizens are to be congratulated on the removal of the toll.”

15.—A public meeting was held in the hall of the Bazaar (Victoria Hall), Norwich, presided over by the Mayor, in furtherance of the movement in favour of administrative reform. An address was delivered by Mr. W. S. Lindsay, M.P., and a resolution was adopted affirming “that, without wishing to exclude the aristocratic class from the position in the public service to which their talents and patriotism may entitle them to assert, merit is the only principle by which appointments to public offices should be attained.”

18.—Among the officers who received the Crimean medal on this date at the hands of her Majesty were Capt. Bulwer, Capt. Bathurst, Capt. Micklethwaite, Lieut. Cator, and Lieut. Cresswell.

24.—Yarmouth Waterworks were opened, with great public festivity.

29.—The Norfolk coast was visited by a violent gale, which caused considerable destruction to life and property. Off Yarmouth the smack Ruby was lost, with her crew of nine men and a boy.

JUNE.

6.—An exhibition of the Norfolk and Norwich Fine Arts Association was opened at Norwich. The collection included works by O. Short, J. B. Ladbrooke, C. J. W. Winter, H. B. Willis, Frederick Howes, C. L. Nursey, F. R. Pickersgill, R.A., John Wilson, Alfred Cooper, D. Hodgson, J. Stark, M. E. Cotman, J. J. Cotman, Mrs. J. Stannard, &c.

13.—Colours were presented to the West Norfolk Militia, on the Cricket Ground, Norwich, by the Countess of Albemarle. Lord Orford, as colonel of the regiment, received the colours, and the consecration prayers were read by the Rev. C. W. Madden, “who wore the Waterloo medal on his breast.” The non-commissioned officers and men were entertained at dinner, provided by public subscription, at St. Andrew’s Hall. The Mayor (Mr. Chamberlin) presided, and Lord and Lady Albemarle, Lady Augusta Keppel, and other distinguished visitors were present.

23.—Notice was given that on and after June 30th the new Newspaper Act would be in operation, and stamped and unstamped editions of the Norfolk Chronicle would be published. “In compliance with the request of the Postmaster-General, we would remind such of our subscribers as may desire to send the stamped edition through the post that the paper must be folded so that the whole stamp denoting the duty shall be distinctly visible on the outside. Such papers must be posted within 15 days of publication.”

—The Norton Subcourse and Raveningham estate was sold by Mr. George W. Salter, at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, for £16,632.

JULY.

2.—A ten mile match, for £20 a side, was run at the Green Hill Gardens, between Robert Bunn, of Norwich, and John Lovett, of London. The first-named won; time, 58 minutes.

3.—The West Norfolk Militia, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Custance, left Norwich for Aldershot. In December the regiment was transferred to Dublin.

—Great festivities took place at Ellingham Hall, in celebration of the coming of age of Mr. Henry Smith, son and heir of Lieut.-Col. Smith. A dinner, at which 160 guests were present, was followed by sports, and in the evening dancing was opened upon the lawn by Mr. Smith and Miss Foster in a “Sir Roger de Coverley.”

5.—The marriage took place at East Dereham, of Captain William Earle Gascoyne Bulwer, late Scots Fusilier Guards, eldest son of Mr. William E. Lytton Bulwer, of Heydon Hall, and Mary Anne Dering, only daughter of Mr. William Wilson Lee Warner, of Quebec House. The officiating clergy were the Rev. G. Dashwood, rector of Stow Bardolph, and the Rev. B. J. Armstrong, vicar of East Dereham.

7.—Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, M.P., announced that it was his intention to retire from the representation of East Norfolk, in consequence of his continued ill-health. Mr. Henry Josiah Stracey was adopted as the Conservative candidate, and was returned unopposed on the 17th.

8.—Died at Ems, Sir William Edward Parry, R.N., Lieut.-Governor of Greenwich Hospital. He was an LL.D. of Oxford, a F.R.S. of London and Edinburgh, a member of the Imperial Academy of Sciences at St. Petersburg, and author of a work entitled, “Thoughts on the Parental Character of God.” He married first, on October 23rd, 1826, Isabella Louisa, fourth daughter of Lord Stanley of Alderley, by whom he had issue two sons and two daughters. She died on May 13th, 1839. On June 29th, 1841, he married, secondly, Catherine Edwards, daughter of the Rev. R. Hankinson, of Walpole, and widow of Mr. Samuel Hoare, jun., of Hampstead, by whom he had issue two daughters. Sir William was an honorary freeman of the city of Norwich. He had commanded four Arctic expeditions, in all of which he gained high professional renown. For these services he received the honour of knighthood, and was presented by the Government with £1,000, his portion of a reward for reaching the meridian of 110 degs. W. within the Arctic circle.

18.—Died, at an advanced age, at Norwich, John Osborne. “He was a well-known character, and for many years drove the Yarmouth coach, and for some time the mail coach between Norwich and Ipswich. The railway, however, put an end to his vocation. Every morning he attended service at the Cathedral. Even when he was the driver of the coach to Yarmouth he stipulated he should have his Sunday, in order that he might be in his accustomed place at the Cathedral.”

26.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Baron Parke and a special jury, was tried the action, Fisher v. Nisbett. This was a will case, which excited considerable interest on account of the large amount of property in dispute and the number of persons concerned. The plaintiff was Miss Mary Ann Fisher, and the nominal defendant Mr. Philip Blundell Nisbett. The actual defendant was Mr. Richard Blundell Nisbett. The question at issue was the validity of the will of a lady named Nisbett. The amount in dispute was between £20,000 and £30,000 in real property, and a larger amount in personal property. The father of Mrs. Nisbett was a Mr. Fisher, a banker, of Yarmouth. Mary Ann Fisher, the plaintiff, was one of his daughters. All the children were dead in 1854 with the exception of Mary Ann Fisher. In the year 1811, when the deceased Mrs. Nisbett married, her father settled on her the sum of £10,000, and gave her during life an annuity of £500, while all that Mr. Nisbett brought was the sum of £7,000. In 1824 Mr. Nisbett died. Of the marriage there were three sons; two had died, and at the time of the trial the only one living was the eldest, Philip Blundell Nisbett, a confirmed lunatic. In the year 1835 Mr. Fisher died, leaving property to the amount of about £100,000. Mrs. Nisbett, after her father’s death, left the bulk of the property to Philip Blundell Nisbett. There now appeared on the scene Mr. Richard Blundell Nisbett, a son of Mr. Nisbett’s brother, and nephew by marriage to Mrs. Nesbitt. He took out a commission of lunacy against Philip, who was found to be a lunatic and incapable of managing his own affairs. Then he endeavoured to get a commission of lunacy against Mrs. Nisbett, but the Lord Chancellor, on receiving the report of the medical men who examined her, dismissed the petition, with costs. As soon as Mrs. Nisbett discovered the course that Richard was pursuing, she made a new will, the effect of which was that the property went to Miss Fisher, the plaintiff, for life, and after her death to blood relations. On November 10th, 1854, Mrs. Nisbett died suddenly, and these legal proceedings commenced. After evidence had been given by medical men and others, the Attorney-General (Sir Alexander Cockburn) who appeared for the defendant, unexpectedly withdrew from the case, and a verdict was entered for the plaintiff.

AUGUST.

1.—Died at Malta, of wounds received before Sebastopol, on June 18th, in the attack upon the Redan, Lieut. Charles A. P. Boileau, of the Rifle Brigade, aged 19, fourth son of Sir John P. Boileau, Bart., and Lady Catherine Boileau, of Ketteringham Park.

15.—Stalham Corn Hall, erected at the cost of £300, raised by 82 shares of £5 each, was opened.

16.—A public dinner was held at Fakenham, under the presidency of Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart., to celebrate the opening of the Corn Hall. A capital of £4,000 was raised in 160 shares of £25 each. The building was designed by Mr. Brown, architect, of Norwich, and built by Mr. Pettitt, of Ipswich, for £3,000.

20.—Mr. Charles Mathews commenced a two nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre. His characters were Sir Charles Coldstream (“Used Up”), Mr. Affable Hawk (“The Game of Speculation”), and Captain Patter (“Patter versus Clatter”). For these two nights the Theatre was under the management of Mr. John Coleman, formerly of the Norwich Company.

21.—Died at Thorpe, in his 72nd year, Mr. Edmond Wodehouse. He was a son of Mr. Thomas Wodehouse, by a daughter of Mr. Pryce Campbell, of Stackpole Court, Pembrokeshire. In 1809 he married his cousin, Lucy, daughter of the Rev. Philip Wodehouse, by whom he had four children, two sons and two daughters. In 1817 he offered himself as candidate for Norfolk, in opposition to Mr. Pratt; he was returned, and retained his seat until the General Election in 1830. At that time the excitement of the Reform agitation was at its height, which, with other circumstances, induced him to decline a contest. In that year Mr. T. W. Coke (afterwards Earl of Leicester) was returned with Sir W. J. H. B. ffolkes. In 1832 Mr. Keppel and Mr. Windham were returned. When the political excitement of the former period had subsided, Mr. Wodehouse again appeared before the constituency, and at the General Election in 1835 he and Lord Walpole were returned, in opposition to Mr. Windham and Mr. Richard Hanbury Gurney. Another General Election took place in 1837, and Mr. Wodehouse was returned with Mr. Henry Negus Burroughes, in opposition to the same Liberal candidates. In 1842 Mr. Wodehouse and Mr. Burroughes were again elected; Sir W. J. H. B. ffolkes, who was abroad at the time, was nominated without his consent as the Liberal candidate. Both Conservative candidates were re-elected without opposition in 1847. Mr. Wodehouse sat in Parliament about forty years. He was a Conservative of the old school, a Protectionist, and a zealous supporter of Sir Robert Peel until he introduced his Free Trade measures. His remains were interred at Norwich Cathedral on August 28th.

—At the Norwich Police Court, Mr. John Coleman, tragedian, and temporary manager of the Theatre, preferred a complaint against Inspector Amis, of the city police. On the previous evening, he stated, a number of persons presented themselves at the dress-box entrance and demanded admission with, silver tickets. He informed them that the majority of places had been taken by those who had paid, but the upper circle was open to silver ticket holders. Some noise and disturbance ensued. Sir William Foster came up and endeavoured to gain an entrance, Mr. Coleman tried to prevent him, a scuffle ensued, and the police were sent for by both parties. Inspector Amis came, and Mr. Coleman directed his attention to a notice on the play-bill that no one would be admitted to the dress circle without a reserved seat ticket. Mr. Coleman asked the inspector to remove the persons who were seeking to gain an entrance; and they, in turn, requested the inspector to remove Mr. Coleman. The officer, it was asserted, made an unprovoked and violent assault upon Mr. Coleman, who denied that silver ticket holders had the privilege to enter the house, and told them that they must legally prove their right. He had taken the Theatre for two nights only, at a heavy rental, there was no arrangement in the agreement with the manager as to the proprietors of silver tickets, and that was why he had put the notice on the bills. Mr. Hudson (a magistrate) remarked that the owners of silver tickets were owners of the Theatre, and had a right to go in when they pleased. Sir William Foster attended the Court, and stated that unless Mr. Coleman apologised he would take proceedings against him. Mr. Coleman said he was sorry if Sir William Foster had been injured (his waistcoat was torn to ribbons), but beyond that he should make no apology. The case against Amis was dismissed. Silver ticket holders were admitted without opposition on the evening of the 21st.

23.—Died at Norwich, in his 87th year, Mr. John Francis, manufacturer, who served the office of Sheriff in 1837.

24.—The foundation-stone of a new chapel on Hempton Green, Fakenham, was laid. The building was designed by Mr. J. H. Hakewell, architect to the Church Building Society. “Hempton has been without a church or clergyman since the Reformation, when the ancient priory church was demolished.” (See October 6th, 1856.)

SEPTEMBER.

4.—Died at Brighton, Mr. Henry Dover, of Caston, who, in the previous July, resigned the office he had long held as a chairman of the Court of Norfolk Quarter Sessions.

10.—A telegraphic message announcing the fall of Sebastopol was exhibited at the window of the Norfolk Chronicle Office, at six p.m. Thousands of citizens crowded into the Market Place, and the office was besieged by persons anxious to obtain copies of the dispatch. Peals were rung upon the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, bands paraded the streets, and the citizens sang in chorus the National Anthem and “Rule, Britannia.” A bonfire was lighted in the Market Place, followed by a display of fireworks. There were great rejoicings in every town and village in the county. Sunday, the 29th, was observed as a day of special thanksgiving.

18.—Mr. Walter Montgomery, at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich, “repeated from memory his recital of ‘Othello.’” “Mr. Montgomery is the son of a respectable Norwich citizen, and has gained much provincial celebrity for his impersonation of Shakesperian characters.”

23.—A fire occurred at the Steam Flour Mills, Lower Westwick Street, Norwich. The large building, much valuable machinery, and 200 sacks of flour were destroyed. The loss to the owner (Mr. F. W. Waters) was estimated at £4,000.

OCTOBER.

19.—At a meeting of the county magistrates, the following resolution was adopted, on the motion of Mr. T. J. Birch: “That the magistrates of the county of Norfolk, in Quarter Sessions assembled, take this, the earliest opportunity, of conveying to Major-General Charles Ash Windham, their sincere congratulations on his providential escape from the perils attendant on the assault of the great Redan of Sebastopol on the 8th of September, 1855, of expressing to him their sense of admiration of his long-enduring gallantry, of his courage, constancy, self-devotion, and self-possession, which may be equalled, but cannot be surpassed, and of tendering to him their warmest and most cordial thanks for the example he has thus held out to the British soldier.” A “Windham Testimonial Fund” was afterwards opened. (See August 1st, 1856.)

NOVEMBER.

3.—The Norfolk coast was visited by a severe gale, which did enormous damage to the shipping.

9.—Mr. J. Godwin Johnson was elected Mayor, and Mr. Timothy Steward appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

28.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the unsatisfactory state of the railway communication between Norwich and London was considered. It was stated that an apprehension existed on the part of the public, on account of delays and obstructions, that the Eastern Counties Railway was insecure. A committee was appointed to inquire into and define the grievances of the citizens. On December 7th the Committee reported upon the alleged insecurity of the permanent way; the irregularity and inconvenience in the working of the line; and the arrangements for the conveyance of the mails. The Board of Trade made an inspection of the line, and in January, 1856, reported upon its insecure and dangerous state between Norwich and Cambridge.

DECEMBER.

8.*—“The Queen has been pleased to grant unto Joseph Stonehewer Scott, of Thursford and Pinckney, in the county of Norfolk, eldest son of Mr. Joseph Scott, of Colney Hall, license and authority that he and his issue may use the surname of Chad in addition to and after the surname of Scott, and bear the arms of Chad quarterly with the family arms of Scott.”

—*“Of late years some improvements have been made in various parts of Norwich by widening the streets, but by far the most important and expensive has been that in London Street. The improvement was badly designed, and has cost almost as much already as the cost would have been of pulling down one side of the street entirely. From first to last at least £20,000 has been expended, and the whole street is a bungle after all. The lower part of the street remains as bad as ever, and in the upper part years have been required to make a fourteen feet passage.”

19.—Mr. W. L. Mendham was elected Town Clerk of Norwich, in succession to Mr. J. R. Staff, who, since 1836, had held that office with the appointment of Clerk of the Peace. Mr. A. Dalrymple was elected to the latter office.

20.—Died at Dorking, Mr. T. Cubitt, who was well known by reason of the many important building contracts he had undertaken in London. He was born at Buxton, near Norwich, on February 25th, 1788. When working as a journeyman carpenter, he, in his nineteenth year, made a voyage to India, as a ship’s joiner. On his return to London two years afterwards, he commenced as a builder in a small way of business. Later he erected the London Institution, Moorfields, and about the year 1824 entered into an engagement with the Duke of Bedford and Lord Southampton for contracts on the ground on which Tavistock Square, Gordon Square, Woburn Place, and the neighbouring streets now stand. Towards the close of the same year and the beginning of 1825 he engaged with the Marquis of Westminster and Mr. Lowndes to cover portions of the Five Fields and grounds adjacent, and of this engagement Belgrave Square, Lowndes Square, Chatham Place, and other ranges of houses resulted. He built upon the vast open district lying between Eton Square and the Thames, now known as South Belgravia, and carried out similar extensive operations in Clapham, Kemp-town, Brighton, and other places. Mr. Cubitt had two brothers, Mr. Alderman Cubitt, M.P. for Andover, and Mr. Lewis Cubitt, the architect of the Great Northern Railway terminus.

26.—The title of the Christmas pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre was “King Goggle-eyed Greedy Gobble and the Fairy of the Enchanted Lake.” Mr. Sidney was complimented upon the excellence of the production.

27.—Died, in his 80th year, Mr. W. Shalders, who was for many years a leather merchant in Norwich. He was the originator and patentee of the far-famed Norwich invention known as the “fountain pump.”

1856.

JANUARY.

21.—Mr. John Coleman, lessee of the Worcester circuit, appeared at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Claude Melnotte. His other impersonations included Evelyn (“Money”), Hamlet, Richelieu, and Ingomar.

FEBRUARY.

5.—Madame Jenny Goldschmidt-Lind sang at a performance of “The Messiah,” at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich and on the 7th took part in a concert at which a miscellaneous programme was presented. The other performers included Mr. Lockey, Mr. Weiss, Miss Bassano. M. Otto Goldschmidt, and Mr. Swift. The total receipts amounted to £2,400, of which £351 was paid to the account of the Jenny Lind Infirmary.

11.—The first performance of modern burlesque, “The Yellow Gnome,” by J. R. Planché, was given at Norwich Theatre on this date.

19.—Mr. Henry Russell appeared at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in his entertainment, entitled, “The Far West, or life in America,” illustrated by a series of views “showing the different scenes of a transit from Liverpool to the American Continent.”

23.*—“At the present time there are about forty manufacturers in Norwich, ten of them being producers of textile fabrics of various kinds. Altogether they now employ several thousand operatives in spinning yarns or in the production of immense quantities of goods composed of materials of that description.”

27.—The Lord Bishop of the Diocese consecrated the new Cemetery at Norwich. Thirty-five acres of land were purchased by the Board of Health of Mr. John Cater, but only twenty-three acres were at first utilised. The buildings were erected by Messrs. Ling and Balls, from designs by Mr. Benest, city surveyor, for £1,990.

MARCH.

12.—Mr. George Dawson, of Birmingham, delivered an address at the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew’s, Norwich, on “Martin Luther: his private life and character.” On the 17th he lectured on “Old Books: their uses, beauties, and peculiarities.”

13.—Mrs. Fred Philips, for several years a favourite actress on the Norwich circuit, took her final leave of the stage at Norwich Theatre. The house was crowded, and between 300 and 400 persons were refused admission.

22.—Hoffman’s “Organophonic Band, or Human Voice Orchestra,” with Mr. Thurton, “the living Valentine Vox,” gave an entertainment at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The performance was repeated on the 24th and 25th, and the company made a return visit in April.

24.—Mr. Walter Montgomery, a native of the city, commenced a six nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre, during which he appeared as Virginius, Macbeth, Richard the Third, &c.

—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a letter was received from Mr. J. B. Morgan, hon. secretary to the Nelson Statue Committee, stating that it was proposed, on the suggestion of Sir Richard Westmacott, R.A., Professor of Sculpture, to remove the statue from the site it had occupied during the preceding eighteen months, in the Market Place, opposite the entrance to Dove Street, to a new site in the Upper Close, immediately facing the Grammar School. The statue was removed, on April 16th, to the site it now occupies.

30.—Intelligence was received in Norwich of the signing of the Treaty of Peace. On the 31st (Monday) the bells of St. Peter Mancroft were rung, and flags hoisted upon the tower. In the evening fireworks were discharged in the Market Place, and, contrary to police regulations, a bonfire was lighted. It was extinguished by the constables, whereupon the mob broke many windows in the Market Place, and proceeded to the Castle Meadow, where a squib was thrown upon a waggon loaded with straw. When the fire brigade attempted to put out the flames, the firemen were stoned by the rioters, some of whom were apprehended, and punished next day by the magistrates. Peace was proclaimed on May 1st by the Mayor (Mr. J. G. Johnson) and the Sheriff (Mr. T. Steward), who were attended by the Town Clerk and Under-Sheriff. From an open carriage the Mayor read her Majesty’s Proclamation in the Market Place “and the other accustomed spots for such announcements.” Peace was celebrated on May 27th. The Royal Artillery paraded on Mousehold and fired a salute, and at one o’clock dinner was provided at St. Andrew’s Hall for the non-commissioned officers and men of the Artillery stationed in the city, for the recruiting and Militia staffs, for soldiers and sailors residing in the city who had been engaged in the war, and for the fathers, sons, and brothers of soldiers and sailors who had fallen in the war or who were then on active service. Upwards of 8,000 children assembled in Chapel Field, and walked in procession to the Market Place, where the National Anthem was sung, and immediately afterwards proceeded to Victoria Station, where they had tea. In the evening the Guildhall, Ethelbert Gate, St. Andrew’s Hall, the Shirehall, St. Giles’ church, Erpingham Gate, the gate at the Bishop’s Palace, and the Wellington and Nelson statues were illuminated. There were displays of fireworks in the Market Place and on Castle Meadow, where also a bonfire was lighted. On the 28th a ball was given at the Assembly Rooms. Similar celebrations took place at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns.

APRIL.

13.—A serious gas explosion took place at Gurney’s Bank, Norwich. A clerk, named Utting, who detected an escape of gas, entered with a lighted candle the office of Mr. Mottram. A tremendous explosion followed. The walls were rent, the windows blown out, and the ceiling raised so that the gas escaped to the rooms above.

—Died at his residence, Redwell Street, Norwich, Dr. Robert Hull, in his 62nd year. He was for many years upon the Commission of the Peace for the city, and was one of the physicians of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, a post which he resigned a short time before his death.

23.—Miss Cushman, the celebrated actress, appeared at Norwich Theatre as Meg Merrilies. On the 25th she performed the part of Romeo, to the Juliet of Mrs. Sidney.

25.—The coming of age of Mr. William Amherst Tyssen Amhurst was celebrated at Didlington Park. Lord Berners formerly owned the estate, and in 1849 sold it to Lord William Powlett, from whom it passed by purchase to Mr. George Tyssen Amhurst, who effected many improvements upon the property. The celebration was carried out upon a scale of great liberality. A fine bullock, weighing 80 stones, was killed on the 21st, steamed on the 23rd, and roasted whole on the 25th in a temporary kitchen specially erected by Mr. Plowright, of Swaffham. A sheep of six stones weight was also roasted whole, and the total weight of the plum-puddings was 700 lbs. Immense quantities of beef, mutton, and pork were cooked in joints. Three tents, each 130 ft. in length, were provided for the accommodation of the guests, who numbered upwards of 550. The toast of “Miss Mitford, the future Mrs. Amhurst,” was drunk with great enthusiasm, and a series of athletic sports concluded the festivities. [Note: The spelling of the names in the original paragraph is adhered to. William G. T. Daniel Tyssen by licence exchanged the name of Daniel Tyssen for Tyssen-Amhurst: his son, by a second licence, altered it to William Amhurst Tyssen-Amherst.]

MAY.

5.—The close of the season at Norwich Theatre was marked by the public presentation to Mr. William Sidney of a handsome silver salver and vase, “in recognition of his judicious management as lessee.” It was one of the most successful seasons that had been recorded for many years.

7.—Died at her house in Green Park Buildings, Bath, aged 76, Lady Betty, widow of Rear-Admiral Sir Edward Berry, Bart., K.C.B., and eldest daughter of Dr. Forster, formerly headmaster of the Norwich Free Grammar School.

11.—The centenary of the opening of the Octagon Chapel, Norwich, was celebrated. A dinner was held at the Royal Hotel on the 13th, under the presidency of Mr. John Taylor, F.R.S.

31.—A fire took place on the premises of Mr. Ineson, rag and bone merchant, St. Andrew’s, Norwich. In addition to the total destruction of Mr. Ineson’s property, the workshops of Mr. Fisher, builder, and the paint shop of Mr. Turner were burnt down.

—In the Rolls Courts Sir John Romilly gave judgment in the case of the Norwich Yarn Company, which came before the Court upon appeal from the Master’s certificate. The question was whether the directors of the company were entitled to levy contributions upon shareholders, in order to pay certain sums advanced or borrowed by them for carrying on the business of the company, which had become insolvent. Originally projected in 1833, with the view of relieving the distress which at that time affected the poor of Norwich, the company struggled on with increasing difficulties for sixteen years, until in 1850 it was wound up by order of the Court. His lordship now discharged altogether a question of fraud on the part of the directors. He was of opinion that the directors were entitled to be allowed all sums advanced by them, with simple interest at five per cent., and to be repaid that amount as far as the sum in Court would extend, with payment of the costs, and afterwards by a surplus raised by a call from the contributors in proportion to the number of shares held by them respectively, and that the cost of the proceedings must be borne by the estate of the company.

JUNE.

3.—The Rev. J. Alexander was presented with a purse containing £500, and a clock, on the occasion of his entering the fortieth year of his ministry at Prince’s Street Independent chapel, Norwich. The Rev. S. Titlow and other clergymen of the Church of England were present.

7.—A male specimen of Savi’s warbler, the rarest of British marsh warblers, was shot near Brundall. “This is the only bird of the species obtained in the county since 1842, when a pair were killed at South Walsham, which, with one in the Norwich Museum, are all that are known to have occurred in Norfolk. The one in the Museum was obtained by the Rev. James Brown, at Limpenhoe, in the early part of the century.”

21.—At a meeting held at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, it was decided to establish a pack of foxhounds in Norfolk, and to invite Lord Suffield to become master. The first meet of the pack took place at Melton Constable Park, on November 25th.

23.—A panorama, with the present form of variety entertainment, was exhibited for the first time at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich, by Mr. J. Batchelder. The views were illustrative of a tour in Southern Africa.

25.—The left wing of the West Norfolk Militia arrived at Norwich from Fermoy, co. Cork; the right wing reached the city on the 26th. An influential deputation of the inhabitants of Fermoy, prior to the departure of the regiment, presented to the colonel a farewell address, in which they congratulated him upon having the command of “so highly respectable and well disciplined a corps.”

JULY.

5.—A fine brig of 200 tons was launched from Mr. J. S. Southgate’s shipyard at Wells-next-the-Sea. She was christened the Rambler, by Miss Ellen Rump. From Mr. Henry Tyrrell’s yard at Wells, on September 3rd, was launched a new schooner, called the Gem.

11.—The Testerton estate, near Fakenham, comprising a residence and 676a. 3r. 6p. of arable and pasture land, let on lease to Mr. Thomas Henry Case, at a rental of £1,105 per annum, was sold at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, by Mr. Butcher, for £34,500, exclusive of timber. The purchasers were the trustees of Mr. John Morse, deceased.

16.—Building sites in London Street, Norwich, were offered for sale by Mr. F. Clowes. “The highest price made was at the rate of 9s. 0½d. per square foot, or £20,000 per acre.”

—The new cemetery at Yarmouth was consecrated by the Right Rev. Bishop Spencer, acting for the Lord Bishop of the Diocese.

21.—An inquiry was opened at Yarmouth by Mr. W. D. Boase, one of her Majesty’s Charity Commissioners, “into the present circumstances and administration of the various endowed charities existing in the borough, with the view of hearing any complaints that might be made, and to suggest improvements in the disposition of the funds.” The inquiry concluded on the 24th.

23.—A performance of Costa’s “Eli” was given by the Norwich Choral Society, at St. Andrew’s Hall. The principal vocalists were Madame Rudersdorff, Miss Dolby, Mr. George Perren, Mr. A. Mann, Mr. Weiss, and Mr. Thomas. A performance of the same oratorio, under the personal direction of the composer, had already been advertised by Mr. Gedge, of Heigham Grove. The Mayor (Mr. J. G. Johnson) had given permission for the use of the hall, and his action was sharply criticised at the meetings of the Town Council and in letters to the newspapers. The following announcement was published on July 19th: “‘Eli,’ for the benefit of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, under the direction of Mr. Costa. Postponed. Mr. Gedge respectfully informs the public of the county and city that, as the Town Council has thought fit to set aside the Mayor’s prerogative and fixing a day for the performance in opposition to the one he announced under the early sanction and promise of the Mayor for the Assize week, in St. Andrew’s Hall, and as the Council thought fit, at their last meeting, to determine on other restrictive demands, of which he received a legal notice this day, he has resolved to postpone ‘Eli,’ under Mr. Costa’s direction, until a future opportunity, when he trusts he shall be able to benefit the charities and at the same time to gratify the public.”

26.—On this date was published a report of the action, Beaven v. Lord Hastings, heard before the Vice-Chancellor, Sir W. P. Wood. This was a bill by a bond creditor of Edward Astley, deceased, praying an account of the sum due for principal and interest upon his bond, and a decree for payment against the defendant, Lord Hastings, on the ground that he had made himself personally liable to pay the debt without regard to a sufficiency of the assets of the late Edward Astley. The bill also brought the declaration that the defendant had constituted himself executor de son tort of the intestate Edward Astley, and was accountable on that footing to the plaintiff as the rightful administrator of the intestate. Mr. Astley, who resided at Eneilles, in Belgium, having borrowed £1040 from the plaintiff, gave his bond, dated July 3rd, 1845, by which he became bound to the plaintiff in the penal sum of £2,080, with the condition for defeasance upon payment on July 3rd, 1847, of £1,040 with interest at 5 per cent. A warrant of attorney at even date was executed by Edward Astley, but no judgment was ever actually entered up under the warrant. In April, 1846, the dead body of Edward Astley was found, with marks of violence upon it, in the River Ourthe in Belgium. Lord Hastings and his mother, Dame Hester Astley, his sole next-of-kin, proceeded to Eneilles with his solicitor, and applied to the Juges de Paix to remove the seals and give him possession of his brother’s property. A procès verbal having been signed, possession of the property, “without description or inventory,” was delivered to Lord Hastings, who, by thus taking possession pur et simple became personally liable, according to the Belgian law, to pay the debts of the intestate, without reference to the value of assets. The Vice-Chancellor dismissed the bill, on the ground that the defendant, who had legally received the property in Belgium, could not be sued in England as executor de son tort.

AUGUST.

1.—General Windham was received in Norwich with a great demonstration of welcome, on his return to his native county. The hero of the Redan travelled from London by the Eastern Union line, and was presented with congratulatory addresses at various stations along the route. At Victoria Station he was met by the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich, the Earl of Albemarle, Lord Hastings, Lord Bury, &c., and escorted by the Royal Artillery, proceeded to the Guildhall, where he was presented with an address. A banquet, attended by officers of the Army and Navy connected with Norfolk and Norwich who had served in the Crimea, was given in honour of the General, at St. Andrew’s Hall. The Earl of Albemarle presided, and on behalf of the subscribers to the Windham Testimonial Fund, presented the General with a service sword and a dress sword.

2.—Several deaths were reported to have occurred from small-pox at Lynn. “In no instance has death ensued here after vaccination.”

9.—It was reported that at the Suffolk Assizes, at Ipswich, an action was brought by the Commissioners of Yarmouth Harbour, in the name of their clerk (Mr. Preston), pursuant to the direction of the Master of the Rolls, against the Norfolk and Eastern Counties Railway Company. The plaintiff complained that the defendants had wrongfully diverted and obstructed the waters of the Yare, the Wensum, and the Waveney, which of right ought to flow into and through Yarmouth Harbour, and had turned them into Lake Lothing, and thence into the sea through Lowestoft Harbour. The Eastern Union, the Norfolk, and the Eastern Counties Railways, had entered into an agreement for amalgamation, by virtue of which the latter company assumed the entire control over the network of railways constructed by those companies and the East Anglian Company, and, among other matters, they undertook the duties created by the Norwich and Lowestoft Navigation Act, one of which was the maintenance of Mutford Bridge where Lake Lothing joined Oulton Broad, for the double purpose of keeping in the fresh waters of the Yare and Waveney and preserving them for the use of Yarmouth Harbour, and of keeping out the waters of the sea, which would otherwise flood all the low lands at high water. These duties had not been discharged to the satisfaction of the plaintiffs. After discussion, terms of reference to Mr. B. Andrew, Q.C., were arranged, the defendants undertaking to repair the locks at once, the plaintiffs being let in to complain of acts of omission as well as of commission on the part of the defendants. A verdict was then taken for the plaintiffs, subject to a special case. (See January 26th, 1858.)

15.—Lieut.-Col. Edwin Wodehouse, C.B., Royal Artillery, on revisiting his former home at Hingham, after his return from the Crimea, was presented with an address by the inhabitants of the town. He was the eldest son of Admiral Wodehouse. At Inkerman a battery called “Wodehouse’s Battery” was furiously attacked and nearly all the men cut down by overpowering numbers of the enemy. By heroic courage and determination he rescued from the enemy the three guns lost early in the action. Two slugs passed through his cloak, and one, if not two, horses were killed under him.

18.—The London Grand Opera Company commenced a season at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. The artistes included Miss Rebecca Isaacs, Miss Fanny Reeves, Mr. Borrani, Mr. Oliver Summers, Mr. J. B. Bowler, and Mr. Elliott Galer. Among the operas produced were “La Somnambula,” “The Bohemian Girl,” “Maritana,” “Lucia Di Lammermoor,’” “Fra Diavolo,” “Norma,” and “Daughter of the Regiment.” The company came direct from Drury Lane Theatre, on the termination of the season there.

24.—Died at Blofield, Captain Onslow, R.N., in his 61st year. He entered the Navy in 1810, saw much active service, and returned to Portsmouth from Rio de Janeiro with upwards of 888,000 dollars on June 3rd, 1833. He was advanced to post rank on August 27th, 1834, and was lastly, from July 23rd, 1842, until paid out of commission in the early part of 1847, employed in the Pacific, on board the Daphne, 18.

26.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the Paving Committee reported in favour of a scheme for draining the northern part of the city, at the total cost of £7,893, according to plans prepared by Mr. E. E. Benest, city surveyor. The Council declined to adopt the scheme, on the ground that the city could not afford to undertake it.

SEPTEMBER.

1.—A storm of great severity occurred. The district in which it was most felt was across the track of marsh land lying between Bungay and Ormesby. At Yarmouth the outbreak began at six p.m., and lasted till midnight. Several cottages were flooded, and one fell, in consequence of its being undermined by the water.

—The first meeting of the provisional committee for erecting the Britannia Pier, Yarmouth, was held at the Angel Hotel, under the presidency of Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P. The estimated cost was £3,900. The pier was opened on July 13th, 1858.

14.—A white stork was shot in the plantation of Mr. R. H. Saye, at North Pickenham. Its wings measured 6 ft. 3 in. from tip to tip, it was 4 ft. in length, and weighed 8 lbs. The bird was preserved by Mr. T. Ellis, of Swaffham.

23.—Mdlle. Piccolomini gave a concert at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. Among the artistes from Her Majesty’s Theatre who accompanied her were Mdlle. Firioli, Signor Belletti, Mr. Charles Braham, Signor Beneventano, and Signor Pilotti.

27.*—“During the past fortnight the catch of herrings at Yarmouth has been almost unprecedented in the annals of the fisheries. In many instances the boats have entered the harbour so heavily laden that their gunwales were almost level with the water. In the last ten days it is computed that the quantity of herrings brought in and landed here from the various boats has reached the enormous daily average of 100 lasts, or 1,320,000 fish. From £12 10s. to £14 per last has been realised; but in some cases this abundance of fish has proved most disastrous to the owners, entailing the loss of the boats’ nets, stores, &c. Mr. J. T. Frosdick has sustained in this way the entire loss of the nets of two boats, to the serious extent of £450, for, owing to the enormous catch of fish, the men were quite unable to draw the nets on board, and ultimately the weight proved so great that they sunk the nets and all to the bottom of the sea.”

30.—The festival of the Choir Benevolent Fund was held at Norwich Cathedral. In addition to those of Norwich, choirs from London, Ely, Cambridge, Rochester, Peterborough, and Canterbury took part. The total sum accruing from the festival amounted to £273 0s. 9d.

OCTOBER.

1.—Died, in his 83rd year, the Rev. James Brown, B.D., Hon. Canon of Norwich, and for fifty years vicar of St. Andrew’s, Norwich. “For more than twenty years chaplain of the county prison, he was one of the earliest advocates of educational efforts being directed towards prisoners, and in his practical suggestions may be traced the germ of much that is valuable in our reformatory institutions. He lived long enough to see similar views generally adopted and made compulsory by the State. His duties as chaplain were performed during a period when capital punishments were much more frequent than now, and this gave him the opportunity of seeing vice in its most degrading forms, and to hear from the lips of its victims the repentance which the certain approach of death and judgment generally extracted from them.”

6.—The church of the Holy Trinity, Hempton Green, was opened by the Bishop of Norwich.

—The corner-stone of the new Corn Hall at Aylsham was laid by the Marquis of Lothian.

7.—Died at Calais, aged 60, Capt. Charles Thurtell, R.N., son of Mr. Thomas Thurtell, of Lakenham.

16.—The Earl of Albemarle addressed a large meeting of the industrial class at the Corn Hall, Diss, upon the subject of “Benefit Clubs.” In the course of his remarks, he asserted “the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows is humbug from beginning to end.” The action of his lordship evoked a large amount of newspaper correspondence, and on November 6th Mr. Samuel Daynes, a former “Grand Master” of the Unity, introduced at Diss a Mr. Reeve, who delivered an address to rebut the assertions of Lord Albemarle.

20.—Mr. Fred Phillips’ dramatised version of Mrs. Beecher Stowe’s romance of “Dred” was produced at the Surrey Theatre, and was favourably noticed by the critics. At the same theatre, on January 19th, 1857, was produced the comedy, “A Bird in the Hand is worth Two in the Bush,” by the same author.

29.—At a meeting held at Yarmouth, it was resolved to take the necessary steps towards placing the Nelson column in a proper state of repair.

NOVEMBER.

1.—Mr. T. D. Eaton, president of the Choral Society, was presented by the members, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, with a silver snuff-box and silver inkstand. “Mr. H. Pierson, the author of the oratorio ‘Jerusalem,’ and of the opera ‘Faust,’ was present, and wrote a drinking song for the occasion, dedicating it to the president.”

5.—Died at Liverpool, Mr. Charles Hodgson, formerly of Norwich. He was one of the mathematical tutors at Norwich Free Grammar School during the headmastership of the Rev. Edward Valpy, and nearly the last surviving member of the Norwich Society of Artists, established in 1803.

9.—The down parliamentary train was on its way from Thetford to Harling when the engine left the metals, mounted the bank by the side of the line, and, after running forty yards, turned over upon its side, crushing the driver to death. The accident was occasioned by the breaking of the tire of the leading wheel of the engine. A few minutes after the accident a goods up-train ran into the tender of the disabled engine, but only a slight collision resulted.

10.—Mr. Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor, and Mr. Robert Seaman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

13.—A sculling match, for £100, between Henry Kelly, of Fulham, and Richard Buttle, of Norwich, was rowed on the Thames, from Putney to Mortlake. Kelly won, by little more than half a boat’s length. Time, 25 minutes. The return match was fixed to take place on the Yare, from Surlingham to Thorpe, on November 25th, but owing to a dispute as to the appointment of referee, the race was postponed until the 26th, when Kelly, who rowed the distance, about 4½ miles, in 37½ minutes, won easily.

19.—Died, the Right Hon. Julia Barbara, Lady Stafford, wife of Henry Valentine, 9th Baron Stafford, daughter of Edward Howard, of Glossop. Her ladyship was born in 1807. The interment took place at the private chapel at Costessey, on November 27th.

29.—Snow began to fall, and soon reached a greater depth than had been recorded in Norfolk for many years previously. At nine o’clock on the morning of December 4th the thermometer stood at 16 deg.; the reading of the same instrument, in the same place, at eleven a.m. on December 6th was 60 deg. In thirty-six hours from ten to twelve inches of snow had disappeared, and the weather thenceforth was very mild.

DECEMBER.

2.—At the Norwich Police Court, George Holl and Stephen Gilbert, of Magdalen Road, were charged by the Commissioners of Inland Revenue with having an illicit still. Holl was fined £50, and Gilbert £200.

3.—The “exercise” written by Mr. Edward Bunnett, of Norwich, “to qualify himself for taking the degree of Bachelor of Music, was performed with great success in the chapel of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.”

25.—Died, in St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, Mrs. Ann Jean, widow of Mr. Roger Jean, artist, in her 74th year.

26.—Boxing Day was, for the first time, observed in Norwich as a general holiday, “none of the shops being opened in the Market Place or principal streets.” The pantomime of “Bluebeard, or the Demon Curiosity,” was produced at the Theatre, and the other amusements included Brown’s Circus, with the spectacles, “St. George and the Dragon,” and “Mazeppa”; and Wombwell’s Menagerie on Castle Meadow.

1857.

JANUARY.

4.—During a violent gale from the north, several ships went ashore at Yarmouth. “The beach presented a melancholy appearance, from the number of vessels upon it.”

8.—The Rev. A. C. Copeman was elected minister of the parish of St. Andrew, Norwich. The Revs. T. Rust, J. W. Cobb, and R. Wade withdrew from the contest, and Mr. Copeman defeated the remaining candidate, the Rev. J. W. Evans, by 96 votes to 33.

19.—The D Battery, Field Artillery, commanded by Major Strange, marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, en route for Aldershot. P Field Battery arrived from Woolwich on the 21st, under the command of Major Hoste.

23.—A sea eagle was shot at Winterton. It measured from its beak to its tail 3 feet, and from tip to tip of its wings 8 feet.

27.—A dinner was held at the Angel Inn, North Walsham, to celebrate the restoration of the Market Cross.

—Died at his residence, Park Crescent, London, in his 70th year, the Hon. Sir Edward Hall Alderson, Baron of her Majesty’s Court of Exchequer. He was the eldest son of Mr. Robert Alderson, barrister-at-law, and Recorder of Norwich, by the daughter of Mr. Samuel Hurry, of Great Yarmouth, where he was born in 1787. He received his early education at the Charter House and at Caius College, Cambridge. Elected a Fellow of his college, he, in 1812, proceeded M.A. On being called to the Bar, he went the Northern Circuit. In conjunction with Mr. Barnewell, he edited five volumes of reports of cases heard in the Court of King’s Bench between 1815 and 1820. In 1830, though still wearing the stuff gown, he was promoted an additional puisne judge in the Court of Common Pleas, and received the honour of knighthood. In 1834 he was transferred from that Court to a puisne judgeship in the Court of Exchequer, where for many years he was second to Baron Parke. Baron Alderson was a careful, learned, and conscientious judge, though his mind was naturally inclined to take a rather hard and dry view of the question at issue, and to strip it, almost to a fault, of extraneous matter.

28.—A singular action for defamation of character was tried before Mr. Justice Williams and a special jury in the Court of Common Pleas. Mr. Stephen English, Chief Constable of Norwich, was the plaintiff, and Capt. Black, Chief Constable of Norfolk, the defendant. The damages were laid at £3,000. According to the opening statement of Mr. Serjeant Byles, Capt. Black felt himself aggrieved that Mr. English should be styled Chief Constable of Norwich, and wrote to the Watch Committee several letters upon the subject, stating that Mr. English’s assumed title, instead of his proper title, “superintendent of police,” had caused him (Capt. Black) obstruction and official inconvenience in the discharge of his duties. These letters had no effect, and Capt. Black then published handbills reflecting upon the personal character of Mr. English. He stated that the antecedents of Mr. English in relation to other county forces were so disreputable as to cause his expulsion from more than one of them. This was the defamatory statement complained of. Many witnesses were examined on both sides, and on the 29th the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages £50. On February 13th Sir Henry Stracey, M.P., in Committee on the Chief Constables Bill, moved to insert in clause 4, “And whereas disputes having arisen as to the title of Chief Constable, for avoiding the same the title of Chief Constable shall be exclusively applicable to and borne by the officer appointed by the justices of any county in General or Quarter Sessions assembled, and the title Head Constable by the officer appointed by the Watch Committees of boroughs and cities.”

FEBRUARY.

4.—A servant girl, named Belinda Wilson, aged 18, was charged at the County Police Station, Norwich, with stealing, on January 3rd the sum of £90, in bank notes, the property of her master, Mr. William Claxton, farmer, of Stoke Holy Cross. After taking the money, Wilson attired herself in the clothes of a manservant, and starting from Flordon railway station, proceeded to Edinburgh, where she had some difficulty in obtaining change, as English notes were not in general circulation there. She obtained a new suit of clothes of sporting cut, and travelled from place to place “like a fast young man.” At the end of January she was again in the Eastern Counties, and took up her abode at Yarmouth. During a visit to Wombwell’s Menagerie, she was recognised by an old schoolfellow, through whom information was given to the police, who apprehended her at the Waterloo Tavern, St. Peter’s Road, where she was posing as “a lively-looking youth, and smoking a cigar.” She gave the name of James Smith. The prisoner was committed for trial, and at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions in March pleaded guilty, and was sentenced by Sir Willoughby Jones to two years’ imprisonment, with hard labour.

11.—The new Corn Hall at East Dereham, erected on the sites of old shambles and slaughter-houses, was opened. A company of 250 guests assembled at dinner in the hall, under the presidency of Lord Sondes, who was supported by the Earl of Leicester, Lord Walsingham, Lord Hastings, Lord Suffield, the Hon. and Rev. E. S. Keppel, Mr. W. Bagge, M.P., Mr. G. P. Bentinck, M.P., Mr. E. Fellowes, M.P., the Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich, &c. The hall was built by a company, with a capital of £3,000. Its cost was about £1,800; Mr. J. B. Goggs, of Swaffham, was the architect, and Mr. Hubbard, of Dereham, the builder. (See July 29th, 1857.)

14.*—“A few days since Mr. Wolton, grocer, of Norwich, received by the London post a letter enclosing the halves of notes to the amount of £140, with the intimation, written in a disguised hand, that about 14 years ago the writer, being in a place of trust in his establishment, had appropriated to himself this amount in a dishonest manner, and taken the present opportunity of returning it. On Friday morning came the other halves of the notes, with the request that the rest of the money might be acknowledged in the ‘Daily News.’”

20.—An amateur dramatic performance was given at Norwich Theatre, “by a number of distinguished amateurs, most of whom had formed port of the corps dramatique during the late campaign in the Crimea.” The pieces were “The Black Book,” a three-act drama by J. Palgrave Simpson; “The Thumping Legacy,” and “The Critic.” The performers appeared under fictitious names.

—A singular action was tried at the Yarmouth County Court, before Mr. T. J. Birch. Mr. John Cobb sued Mr. G. D. Palmer and Mr. W. N. Burroughes for the recovery of certain money paid by the plaintiff at the request of the defendants for expenses incurred in contesting an election of councillors for the Market Ward in that borough on November 1st, 1851. Mr. Cobb was induced, on the solicitation of the defendants, who were leaders of the Liberal party, to offer himself as a candidate for the Market Ward. He was not anxious to become a councillor, but the defendants promised to “see him through,” and on the night before the election distinctly guaranteed him that he should be reimbursed any outlay incurred beyond the sum of £10. Mr. Cobb was defeated at the poll. It was not denied that the guarantee was given, but it was contended that, in order to render it valid to support the action, it should have been in writing, which it was not. The Judge concurred, and nonsuited the plaintiff. It was admitted, in the course of the hearing, that the money was applied “to bribery, vulgarly so-called.”

MARCH.

11.—A conference was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, as to certain complaints respecting the management of the Eastern Counties lines of railway. The Mayor presided, and deputations were present representing the Eastern Counties Railway Company, the Norwich Corporation, and the town of East Dereham. The principal complaints, as stated by Mr. Tillett, had reference to unequal charges for the transit of goods, and the alteration in the price of market tickets. Mr. Love, the chairman of the company, assured the meeting that any communication made to the company would receive consideration.

16.—The Norwich Free Library was thrown open for the use of the citizens. There was no formal ceremony, but in the evening the Rev. A. Bath Power delivered an inaugural address on the advantages of the study of literature and science. The building was erected at the total cost of £5,958, and the internal fittings increased the amount to £6,500.

19.—At a meeting of the Conservative party in the Eastern Division of Norfolk, held at Norwich, it was decided that Mr. H. N. Burroughes and Sir Henry Stracey, Bart., should withdraw from contesting the return of General Windham and Sir E. N. Buxton. In West Norfolk, Mr. Bagge, “from private reasons, and from a desire not to disturb the peace of the county,” retired from the representation, and a compromise was effected whereby both parties concurred to support Mr. Brampton Gurdon, of Letton, and Mr. G. Bentinck, the sitting member.

21.—The Bishop of Norwich issued an address to the clergy of the diocese, announcing that it was his intention to resign the duties of the episcopate. On April 21st the Corporation of Norwich voted an address to Dr. Samuel Hinds, “late Bishop of the Diocese.”

27.—The nomination of Sir Samuel Bignold, Viscount Bury, and Mr. Henry William Schneider, as candidates for the representation of Norwich took place at the Guildhall. A poll was demanded on behalf of Mr. Schneider, and was opened on the 28th. The result was officially declared on the 30th: Viscount Bury, 2,227; Schneider, 2,235; Bignold, 1,631.

—The Hon. F. Baring and the Earl of Euston were returned unopposed for the borough of Thetford.

—The nomination of candidates for the representation of Great Yarmouth took place. Sir Edmund Lacon. Mr. McCullagh, Mr. Watkin, and Col. Vereker were proposed. The poll was opened on the 28th, and resulted in the return of the Liberal candidates: McCullagh, 609; Watkin, 590; Lacon, 521; Vereker, 451. (See July 24th, 1857.)

—Lord Stanley and Mr. J. H. Gurney were re-elected, unopposed, members for King’s Lynn.

29.—Died at Hackford Hall, aged 80, the Ven. John Bedingfeld Collyer, archdeacon of Norwich, and vicar of Wroxham with Salhouse. He was the second son of the Rev. Daniel Collyer, of Wroxham Hall and of Necton, by Catherine, one of the daughters and co-heiress of John Bedingfeld, of Caston Castle and of Beeston. Educated at the Charter House, under Dr. Matthew Raines, he proceeded to Clare Hall, Cambridge, and after taking holy orders he married, in 1800, Catherine, daughter of William Alexander, eldest brother of the first Earl of Caledon, and granddaughter of Dr. Messenger Monsey, of Chelsea Hospital. In 1806–7, upon the threatened invasion of this country by Bonaparte, Mr. Collyer received a commission as a major of Volunteers, and acted with great energy and decision. In recognition of his services in his military capacity, he was made a deputy-lieutenant of the county and placed upon the commission of the peace. Throughout his life he was uniformly attached to Whig principles. He was succeeded in the archdeaconry by the Rev. R. E. Hankinson.

30.—Mr. G. P. Bentinck and Mr. Brampton Gurdon were, at the Shirehall, Swaffham, nominated and returned unopposed as members for West Norfolk.

31.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Erle, the Grand Jury returned a bill of indictment against Jacob, Baron Hastings, for a misdemeanour “in endeavouring to incite Jacob Henry Tillett to fight a duel.” On the application of Mr. Power, a bench warrant for his lordship’s apprehension was issued. On April 1st Mr. Kent, solicitor, appeared on behalf of Lord Hastings, and applied for bail. His lordship was admitted to bail, himself in £200 and two sureties of £100 each. The Earl of Leicester and Lord Suffield were his sureties. The case was traversed to the next Assizes. Further proceedings were, however, withdrawn, after an interview between Lieut.-Col. Astley and Mr. Tillett. “His lordship,” it was stated “had no intention of sending a threatening or offensive message to Mr. Tillett, and he felt that an article published by Mr. Tillett on November 29th, 1856, was an unjustifiable attack upon him, which led to the warmth exhibited by his lordship in his interview with Mr. Tillett, for which his lordship expresses regret and withdraws his offensive epithets. Mr. Tillett, upon his lordship’s disavowal, withdraws any remarks offensive to his lordship is the article above alluded to, and expresses his regret that any unpleasantness should have arisen between Lord Hastings and himself.”

APRIL.

6.—General Charles Ash Windham and Sir Edmund North Buxton were, at the Shirehall, Norwich, nominated and returned unopposed members for East Norfolk.

9.—At a vestry meeting held at East Dereham, it was resolved that the Bath House, an unsightly building in the churchyard, be removed. “By the removal of this building, the burial-place of St. Withburga, an object of great local interest, will no longer be hidden to view.”

14.—Intelligence was received in Norwich of the birth of a Princess (Princess Beatrice).

17.—Mr. David Fisher, of the Princess’s Theatre, London, appeared at Norwich Theatre as John Mildmay (“Still Waters Run Deep”).

18.—It was announced that the Hon. and Rev. John Thomas Pelham was to succeed Dr. Samuel Hinds as Bishop of Norwich. Mr. Pelham, who was the second son of the second Earl of Chichester, was born in 1811, and graduated at Oxford. In 1845 he married a daughter of Mr. Thomas William Tatten, and was appointed chaplain to the Queen in 1847. Shortly afterwards he was presented to the rectory of Berghapton, by the Earl of Abergavenny. In 1852 he removed to Christ Church, Hampstead, and in 1854 was nominated by the Crown to the rectory of St. Marylebone, on the death of Dr. Spry. On May 9th a special meeting of the Dean and Chapter was held at the Deanery, Norwich, when the congé d’élire, declaring the vacancy of the bishopric “and recommending to the Dean and Chapter the Hon. and Rev. John Thomas Pelham, M.A., to be by them elected Bishop of the See of Norwich,” was read, and Mr. Pelham was elected accordingly. The ceremony of confirming the election took place in the College of Advocates in Doctors’ Commons, on June 6th, and his lordship was consecrated at the parish church of St. Marylebone on June 11th, by the Archbishop of Canterbury. The installation took place at Norwich Cathedral on June 26th, and addresses were afterwards presented to his lordship by the Corporations of Norwich and Yarmouth.

25.*—“Lord Hastings has had an interesting addition to his collection of foreign animals in two wapiti deer, which are among the largest known of their species in North America. He has also an increase in a young kangaroo and three young nylgaus having been born the week before last at Melton Constable.”

—The chancel of East Dereham church was re-opened, after “additional embellishment, through the liberality of the sinecure rector, the Rev. W. C. Wollaston.” The open roof was displayed by the removal of an unsightly ceiling, early English windows were substituted for those of more debased style, and a window by Wailes, as a memorial to Mrs. Wollaston, completed the series of stained glass windows. The reredos was illuminated by Messrs. King, of Norwich.

27.—At Docking Petty Sessions it was stated, during the hearing of a case of assault, that the quarrel had its origin in a belief in witchcraft, “unfortunately too prevalent in most of the country villages.” The witnesses “displayed a great amount of ignorance and superstition, showing how the husband of the complainant had been bewitched and unable to move for twelve months, but was cured in two days by a witch doctor in the neighbourhood.”

27.—The Yarmouth School of Navigation and Art was established at a house on the South Quay, formerly occupied by Mr. Paget.

MAY.

7.—The adaptation of steam power to ploughing was exhibited in a field belonging to Mr. Craske Roper, of Croxton Park, near Thetford. Two engines, fitted with an “endless railway,” were built by Mr. Burrell, of Thetford, and both were shown at work. “The new engine is like a railway locomotive, but with the addition of an apparatus, which answers the purpose of a railway, attached to the wheels. The endless railway consists of a series of flat boards, six in number, plated with iron on both sides of each wheel, equal in length to the radius of the wheel, and from 10 to 16 inches in width, loosely attached to the felloe of the wheel in such a manner that they are carried round with it as it revolves. Each in succession is laid flat on the ground in front of the wheel, and lifted up in its rear as soon as passed over. On the surface of the boards next the periphery of the wheel an iron rail is fixed, on which the wheel runs, the boards thus corresponding to the sleepers of an ordinary railway, so that the wheels carry their own rails and sleepers with them, laying down a literally endless railway whenever they are set in motion.”

11.—A meeting was held in the old Library Room, St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, “to take into consideration the expediency of forming a society to prevent persons from taking and destroying fish by illegal practices.” It was resolved, “That an anglers’ society be established in Norwich, with the view of aiding the authorities in preventing illegal fishing, and also for promoting the rational recreation of the members.” The society was called “The Norwich and Norfolk Anglers’ Society,” and Mr. Skippon was appointed honorary secretary.

13.—Mr. Thackeray gave the first of two lectures at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The subject was, “George the Third.” The second lecture was delivered on the 15th, and was entitled, “George the Fourth.” “A very general feeling of disappointment is expressed at the style and manner of the lecturer, and at the very high prices charged (4s. and 2s. 6d.). We have reason to believe that in some instances those who paid for tickets for the second evening intentionally absented themselves.” Letters were published in the Norfolk Chronicle expressing strong disapproval of Thackeray’s strictures upon the personal characters of the Georges.

18.—The polling for the election of a Coroner for the Lynn district, to fill the vacancy occasioned by the death of Mr. George Sayle, commenced at Lynn. The candidates were Mr. Jeffery and Mr. Wilkin. “An extraordinary degree of energy was displayed in bringing up the voters in all parts of the district, and the expenses incurred in paying railway and coach fares, breakfasts, and dinners for the voters and hangers on (to say nothing of the sum of money lavished in other ways to obtain their suffrages, added to the usual outlay upon a contested election), must have amounted to something enormous, considering the pecuniary value of the office at stake, probably at the best averaging £25 or £30 a year.” The poll closed on the 19th, when Mr. Wilkin was declared elected.

18.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles Dillon commenced a three nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre in “Othello,” “Belphegor,” and “Faint Heart Never Won Fair Lady.”

—A meeting was held at the Lecture Hall, Norwich, at which resolutions were passed condemning the Law of Settlement, and advocating the introduction of a national rate. Another meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall on the 20th, at which similar resolutions were agreed to.

19.—A sculling match, for £40, was rowed on the Yare, from Surlingham to Whitlingham (3½ miles), between Stephen Wright, of Norwich, aged 22, and J. H. Clasper, of Newcastle, aged 18. The former was trained by John Britcher, and the latter by his father. Clasper’s boat was the lighter by several pounds, and in length exceeded the Norwich man’s craft by about four feet. Wright had the better of the start, but in ten strokes Clasper led by a quarter of a length. At Bramerton, however, Wright obtained a clear lead, and at Wood’s End led by four lengths. Clasper made a desperate spurt, and got nearly abreast of his antagonist, who won by a length, in 23½ minutes. The Newcastle man suffered severely from exhaustion, and was lifted from his boat in a helpless condition. The return match was rowed on the Tyne, on July 24th, when Wright again won.

24.—The yacht Zoe, 170 tons, belonging to the Earl of Yarborough, struck at midnight on the Lemon Sand, off Happisburgh, while on a voyage from the Isle of Wight to Grimsby. Lord Yarborough, with the captain and crew, took to the boats, and landed at Happisburgh Hill House.

26.—Mr. George Dawson lectured at the Assembly Room, Norwich, on “Daniel Defoe.”

30.*—“Lord Orford has addressed the following letter to the editor of the ‘Morning Post’:—‘Sir, I enclose you a paragraph which appeared in your paper of the 21st inst., to the truth of which I desire you to give the most emphatic denial. It is a rechauffé of the lie circulated some thirty years since in a London journal as a hoax, I presume, on the editor. At the time I did not think it worthy of contradiction, nor at my age should I deem it worthy of any such contradiction now, but am solely induced to do so for the satisfaction of those most justly dear to me.—Yours, &c., Orford. May 26th, 1857.’” (The paragraph here alluded to is the much-quoted reply purported to have been sent by the noble lord to the secretary of the Norwich Bible Society. It originally appeared in the “Freemen’s Journal,” Dublin.)

31.—Died at his residence, Brighton, Mr. Charles Edmund Rumbold, of Preston Candover, Hants., aged 69. He represented for more than 37 years the borough of Great Yarmouth, for which he was first returned in 1818.

JUNE.

1.—The Annual Moveable Committee of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows commenced its sittings at Norwich. There were 110 delegates present, and Mr. Cox (“Grand Master”) presided. The meetings, which were held daily at the Bazaar (afterwards known as Victoria Hall), concluded on the 6th. The dinner, held at St. Andrew’s Hall on the 3rd, was presided over by Sir Samuel Bignold, and in the course of the proceedings, Mr. Samuel Daynes was presented with a gift of 160gs., in recognition of the valuable work he had done for the Order.

1.—Died at Costessey, aged 88, Mr. John Culley, one of the leading agriculturists of the county. “It was to him and a few others that the farmers in this locality are indebted for the establishment of the Hail Storm Society, and the subscriptions which followed the memorable hailstorm in this county a few years since.” Mr. Culley took a prominent part in the movement for the erection of the Norwich Corn Exchange.

11.—A familiar object, known as the “Bassingham Gateway,” in London Street, Norwich, was sold by auction. The purchaser was Mr. William Wilde, and the price £12. The hope was expressed that this relic of antiquity would not be removed from the city. On September 5th it was announced: “The Bassingham Gateway has been erected at the magistrates’ entrance at the Guildhall, where it is quite out of character with the building, or, at any rate, that part of it. Above the gate are the arms of Henry VII., the arms of the Goldsmiths’ Company, to which its builder, Mr. John Bassingham, belonged, and of the city of Norwich. Having been cleaned, the carved work is brought out in bold relief.”

—An amateur sculling match took place for £10, from Bramerton to Whitlingham (about three miles), between Mr. Henry Watling and Mr. Henry Balls. A foul resulted, Mr. Watling claimed stakes, and the referee, Mr. Vyall, decided in his favour.

13.*—“The Marine Parade (Yarmouth) may now be looked upon as completed, and certainly in almost every particular it has exceeded the expectations formed of it. It was planned and carried out under the immediate superintendence of the Town Surveyor, Mr. A. W. Morant, and the cost will not exceed the sum estimated, £1,700.”

16.—At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the Grammar School Committee reported that the hearing took place, before the Master of the Rolls, on June 10th, of the suit, the Attorney-General v. Hudson, when the principal differences which had existed in reference to the new scheme for the administration of the School and Hospital had been amicably adjusted. The sum of £1,000 per annum, exclusive of the cost of buildings, was to be taken from the Great Hospital funds and appropriated, under the management of separate trustees, to the purposes of education. Two schools were to be established—a Grammar School and a Commercial School. The course of instruction in the Grammar School would embrace English, Latin, French, and German, &c., and in the Commercial School, English, French, and the rudiments of Latin, &c. Prizes and scholarships were to be given to both schools, and the boy who obtained an upper class scholarship in the Commercial School would be entitled to education in the Grammar School without cost. The payments for boys educated in the Grammar School were to range from 6 gs. to 8 gs. per year, and in the Commercial School 30s. per year. The masters were to be paid a fixed salary, besides which their stipends would be augmented in the Grammar School by four-sixths of the money received from the pupils, and in the Commercial School by three-sixths. (See March 23rd, 1858.)

17.—A revival of the Dereham Race Meeting attracted thousands of spectators to the Common. The subscriptions amounted to £150, and horses were run by Lord Suffield and other sportsmen of the county.

18.—Workmen engaged in deepening a dry dock belonging to Mr. Ambrose Palmer, at Yarmouth, turned up in one spadeful from 700 to 1,000 silver pennies of Edward I. and of Alexander III., the contemporary King of Scotland. The coins were discovered 17 feet beneath the level of the quay.

23.—Mr. A. A. H. Beckwith, Governor of the Norwich Court of Guardians, performed the ceremony of turning the first sod upon the line marked out for the main front of the new Norwich Workhouse.

24.—Mr. Spurgeon, “the celebrated revivalist,” preached two sermons at the Corn Exchange, Lynn, in aid of a fund for repairing the local Baptist chapel. Two thousand six hundred tickets were issued, and the collections amounted to £110 15s.

27.—Died of cholera, at Kurnaul, aged 59, Major-General the Hon. George Anson, Commander-in-Chief of the troops in India. He was the second son of Thomas, first Viscount Anson, and brother of the first Earl of Lichfield, served in the Scots Fusilier Guards, and was present at the battle of Waterloo. In 1818 he was returned for Yarmouth, and represented the borough in several Parliaments before and after the passing of the Reform Bill. By hereditary descent and by personal conviction he was a Liberal in politics, and invariably sided with the leaders of the Whig party. He became Major-General on November 11th, 1851. He was a zealous patron of the Turf, on which he was better known as Colonel Anson.

JULY.

1.—A reformatory was established at Catton, by Mr. Wright, as an offshoot of a similar institution at Buxton.

4.—Application was made in the Court of Chancery, before the Lord Chancellor, for a re-hearing of the case, Lombe v. Stoughton, which was decided in the year 1841, by the then Vice-Chancellor. The testator, Sir John Lombe, had left a large fund, to be applied to the purpose of building a mansion on his estate in Norfolk, with a direction that the fund should accumulate until the house was finished. Considerable delay took place in completing the house, and the fund increased to a very large amount, leaving a surplus of about £20,000. The Vice-Chancellor directed the fund to be applied to building purposes at a time when it was not known that the surplus would be so large, but the order was made without prejudice to any question as to the surplus. This surplus was now claimed by the representatives of the successive tenants for life, on the ground that they (the tenants for life) had been deprived of the enjoyment of the house, and were, therefore, entitled to the fund by way of compensation. The Lord Chancellor gave leave for the Vice-Chancellor to re-hear the case, if he found himself fettered by the wording of the decree. The Vice-Chancellor, on July 31st, ruled that what had been done was according to the intention of the testator, and held that the surplus must be considered as capital, and not income.

7.—The Bishop of Norwich laid the first stone of the new church of St. John the Evangelist, erected at Yarmouth for the use of beachmen and sailors. (See April 22nd, 1858.)

8.—Mr. Arthur Preston, hon. secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society, was, at a dinner held at the Bell Hotel, under the presidency of the Mayor of Norwich, presented with a piece of plate, in recognition of his valuable services to the society.

17.—The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. R. Chamberlin) was presented with a silver epergne, valued at 200 gs., “in recognition of the strict impartiality, sound judgment, and munificent hospitality which distinguished his official career as Mayor in 1854–5.”

24.—A Committee of the House of Commons commenced the hearing of a petition lodged by Mr. Richard Ferrier, the elder, and Mr. E. H. L. Preston, against the return for Yarmouth of the sitting members, Messrs. M’Cullagh and Watkin. Bribery, treating, and undue influence were alleged. The inquiry lasted five days. On July 29th the Committee found that Messrs. M’Cullagh and Watkin were, by their agents, guilty of bribery, that they were not duly elected burgesses to serve in Parliament, that the election was a void election, and bribes had been paid. On August 10th, Mr. Adolphus William Young and Mr. John Mellor, Q.C., Liberals, were returned without opposition.

29.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Campbell, an indictment was preferred against the East Dereham Corn Exchange Company, for obstructing a certain highway over Lion Hill in that town by the erection of the hall, and further for obstructing Quebec Street and certain fairs and markets. The jury, after a long hearing, returned a verdict for the Crown, with the rider: “We find that there was a public highway over Lion Hill, and we find that there is an obstruction of that part occupied by the Corn Exchange Company, but we find that the public are materially benefited by the alteration, and on the second count we find for the defendants.” (See May 5th, 1858.)

AUGUST.

6.—Robert Bunn, “the celebrated pedestrian,” on the Ipswich Road, Norwich, ran a mile against time for a wager of £25. “The wager was that he would not cover the distance in 4 minutes 45 secs. He accomplished the feat in 4 minutes 30 secs.”

13.—A dinner was given in honour of General Windham, at the Corn Hall, North Walsham, on the eve of his departure for India, on the outbreak of the Mutiny.

15.*—“A report is going the round of the papers, copied from the Australian journals, regarding the death of the person known to our readers as Emily Sandford. We are assured by a gentleman who interested himself in her behalf in 1849 that Miss Sandford is not in Australia. She married a highly respectable merchant in 1850, with whom and their children she returned to Europe in 1855.”

20.—The battery of Royal Artillery marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, for Shorncliffe, to hold themselves in readiness for India.

24.—The annual congress of the British Archæological Association was opened at Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of Albemarle. The proceedings ended on the 28th. Caistor Camp, Lynn, Yarmouth, and Burgh Castle were among the places visited.

25.—An extraordinary leap was made by a horse ridden by Mr. William Feek, horse trainer, of Norwich. “Mr. Feek, in the presence of a number of gentlemen, to show the power of the animal, jumped it over a high fence on Newmarket Road, without touching it, making a spring from point to point of 34 feet.”

SEPTEMBER.

1.—Died at his residence in King Street, Norwich, Mr. Anthony Hudson, banker, aged 75. In early life he enjoyed the friendship of the Right Hon. William Windham, and had since been on intimate terms with the Windham family. For many years he took an active part in the management of the bank of Messrs. Harveys and Hudsons. After the passing of the Municipal Reform Bill, he was appointed a magistrate of the city, and for more than twenty years was a constant attendant on the Bench. He was chairman both of the “Church” and “General” list of Charity Trustees, a governor of the Bethel Hospital, and President of the Board of Directors of the Norwich Union Fire Office.

4.—A troop of the 15th Light Dragoons (Hussars), under the command of Major Knox, arrived at the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich. The headquarters followed, under the command of Colonel Key.

10.—A public meeting of the citizens, convened by the Mayor and Sheriff, was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, “to take into consideration the best means of affording relief to the suffering Europeans in India whose lives have not been taken by the mutineers, but by whose conduct they are rendered entirely destitute.” It was decided to open a public subscription.

15.—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced with a miscellaneous concert at St. Andrew’s Hall. Spohr’s sacred cantata, “God, Thou art Great,” Mendelssohn’s “Hymn of Praise,” and Mozart’s “Requiem” were performed on the morning of the 16th, and in the evening a miscellaneous concert was given. Beethoven’s “Mount of Olives” and Haydn’s “Seasons” were rendered on the morning of the 17th, and a miscellaneous programme was submitted at the evening concert. “The Messiah” was the attraction on the morning of the 18th, and the Festival concluded with a fancy dress ball at St. Andrew’s Hall in the evening. The vocalists engaged for the Festival were Madame Clara Novello, Mdlle. Leonhardi (her first appearance in England), Madame Weiss, Mrs. Lockey, Mdlle. Piccolomini, Signor Gardoni, Signor Guiglini, Mr. Lockey, Mr. Miranda, Mr. Weiss, and Signor Belletti. The receipts amounted to £4,348, and the expenses to £3,997.

23.—The first exhibition of the Wayland Agricultural Society was held at Watton under the presidency of Lord Walsingham.

OCTOBER.

7.—By Royal Proclamation this day was observed as one of humiliation and prayer. At Norwich all the principal shops were closed, and services were held morning and evening at the parish churches. Collections were made on behalf of the sufferers by the Indian Mutiny.

22.—Mr. W. H. Russell, LL.D., the special correspondent of “The Times” during the Crimean War, delivered, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, a lecture on the principal events of the campaign. He gave a second lecture on the 23rd.

—A terrible storm raged on the Norfolk coast. The brig Ontario, of South Shield’s, from Newcastle to Suez with coals (Capt., Balfour), foundered on the Barber Sand off Yarmouth, and drifting to the Cockle Gatway, was lost. The captain, his wife and son, and the crew of 24 hands perished. The chief mate, William Coates Robinson, alone escaped. The Zillah, of Whitby, from Hartlepool to London, commanded by Capt. Watson, was lost off Winterton, and five men, including the master, were drowned, out of the crew of eight hands. Upon the Norfolk coast between forty and fifty lives were lost. It was asserted that many lives would have been saved had the lifeboats and apparatus been in an ordinarily effective condition. The strictures made upon the life-saving service led to negotiations for the amalgamation with the National Society of the Norfolk Association for Saving the Lives of Shipwrecked Mariners.

NOVEMBER.

2.—A troop of the 15th Hussars left Norwich for Coventry.

7.—Mr. Cadge was elected surgeon of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, in succession to Mr. B. H. Norgate, resigned. Mr. T. W. Crosse succeeded Mr. Cadge as assistant-surgeon.

9.—Mr. Edward Field was elected Mayor, and Mr. Charles Crawshay appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.—Intelligence was received in Norwich of the relief of Lucknow and the capture of Delhi.

20.—Miss P. Horton (Mrs. German Reed) and Mr. T. German Reed gave their entertainment at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich.

28.—Norwich Theatre was opened for the winter season. Mr. Sidney doubled the prices of admission to pit and gallery, and increased the prices of the dress and upper boxes. Tuesdays and Fridays were set apart as “subscription nights,” for the production of high-class plays and dramas. The manager intimated that the hire of silver tickets was illegal, “the Theatre deed requiring legal transfer and register with the proprietors’ solicitor to be available for admission.” A printed circular had been issued by a speculator, offering silver tickets for hire for the night, week, or the whole season, “on the usual terms.”

30.—An alarming accident occurred in a building erected for equestrian performances at the Orchard Gardens, Norwich. Soon after the commencement of the entertainment, the supports of the gallery gave way, and the structure fell, with between 300 and 400 persons. “The whole mass of timber fell under the people, who, with their seats, were thrown outwards, rolling over one another. Strange to say, nobody was killed, no legs or arms broken, and nobody seriously hurt.”

DECEMBER.

1.—The Wells and Fakenham Railway was opened. In 1853 the company was formed, with a capital of £70,000, £14,000 of which was contributed by the inhabitants of Wells, £10,000 by the Earl of Leicester, and £30,000 by the Norfolk Railway Company. Mr. G. Berkeley, of Great George Street, Westminster, was the engineer, and Mr. Solomon Treadwell the contractor. The opening-day was observed in the district as a general holiday. A special train was run over the nine and a half miles of line, the Earl of Leicester entertained a large party at Holkham, and in the evening his lordship presided over a public dinner, held at the Crown Inn, Wells.

5.*—“Norwich manufactures at present may be said to be almost at a standstill. There has not been so complete a state of stagnation for some years past. Hundreds of operatives who are usually employed at this season in the production of spring goods are now out of work.”

9.—Mr. Alexander Hugh Baring was returned without opposition member of Parliament for the borough of Thetford, on the retirement of his father from the representation of the constituency.

14.—A sculling match, for £10 a side, was rowed from Postwick Hall to Whitlingham Point, between John Wright and Lancaster. The former won easily.

22.—The Norwich Town Council adopted a motion in favour of the erection of a new Fishmarket.

23.—The West Norfolk Militia, which assembled on November 10th, 600 strong, left Norwich by rail for garrison duty. The headquarters and three companies, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Custance, proceeded to Chester; three companies, commanded by Major Bedingfeld, to Liverpool; and two companies, commanded by Capt. Marsham, to Stockport. The regiment returned to Norwich on April 23rd, 1858.

26.—The pantomime at Norwich Theatre was entitled, “Harlequin Sinbad the Sailor, or the Princess with the Diamond Eyes and the Fairy of the Island of Jewels.”

1858.

JANUARY.

1.—A fire, involving the destruction of several dwelling-houses and a large amount of other property, originated on the premises of Mr. W. Colby, fish merchant, St. James’s Place, South End, Yarmouth.

5.—The premises of Mr. H. F. Butcher, paper and mill-board manufacturer, St. Martin-at-Palace, Norwich, were destroyed by fire. On the same day a fire occurred at Mr. Orfeur’s timber-yard, St. Edmund’s; and on the 6th an outbreak took place at the soap manufactory of Messrs. Andrews and French, in Fishgate Street. The loss occasioned by the three fires amounted to upwards of £6,000.

7.—Intelligence was received at Norwich of the defeat of General Windham and his division by the Gwalier mutineers, near Cawnpore, on November 27th.

8.—Miss P. Horton and Mr. T. German Reed appeared at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich. These favourite performers made a return visit on October 27th, with their entertainments, “After the Ball” and “The Unfinished Opera.”

19.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. J. H. Tillett moved, “That an inquiry be held respecting the manner in which appointments to the city magistracy are made, and also the manner in which the magisterial business of this city is conducted, with the view to the adoption of any measures which may appear likely to promote the better administration of justice.” The motion was adopted. The committee of inquiry reported in February that they considered “the mode in which the magistracy is appointed in cities and boroughs is highly objectionable, the appointments being the result of party influence,” and recommended for the magistracy “those gentlemen who have served the office of Mayor to the satisfaction of the Council.” Complaints were made that from excitement or infirmity of temper certain gentlemen made use of language derogatory to their position, and tending to lower the respect of the Bench, and these complaints the Committee found were not groundless. On March 16th the Town Council adopted a series of resolutions, requesting the Mayor to address a letter to those gentlemen whose names appeared in the report as having never attended petty sessions, or as having rarely or sometimes attended, requiring them to take upon themselves to discharge the duties of their office; that a rota of attendance be established; and that, “in relation to the unseemly proceedings which have taken place in the Sword Room, the Council forbear to memorialise the Lord Chancellor on the subject, in the hope that similar proceedings will not occur again.”

25.—The marriage of the Princess Royal was celebrated in Norwich by the ringing of the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, and by public dinners at the Royal Hotel. A ball took place in the evening, at St. Andrew’s Hall. The day was similarly observed at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns in the county, and addresses of congratulation were afterwards sent to the Queen by the respective Corporations.

26.—The long-pending case, Preston v. the Eastern Counties and Norfolk Railway Companies, was before the Court of Exchequer, and Mr. Baron Watson delivered judgment. The first count of the declaration charged the defendants with diverting and obstructing the waters of the rivers, and the second with omitting to repair certain locks, whereby the water escaped. Judgment was given against the Eastern Counties Railway Company for 40s. on all issues, and for the Norfolk Railway Company on their plea of not guilty, but against them on all other issues. Finally the case was before the Rolls Court on June 8th, and was entered as the Attorney-General v. the Norfolk and Eastern Counties Railway Companies. The object of the information was to have it declared that the defendants were not by their Acts of Parliament empowered to divert or obstruct any of the waters of the Rivers Yare and Waveney, or other waters connected with them, except Lake Lothing, for the purpose of supplying the entrance out between Lake Lothing and the sea with water. The Court made the injunction already granted perpetual against the Eastern Counties Railway Company, and ordered the company to pay the costs incurred in equity.

29.—The Norwich Town Council accepted contracts amounting to over £9,000 for draining the northern portion of the city.

FEBRUARY.

5.—A special meeting of the Norwich Court of Guardians, attended by Lord Bury, M.P., and Mr. Schneider, M.P., was held to consider the subject of a national poor-rate. It was stated that Norwich paid £20,000 a year more in poor relief than it would if the principle of a national rate were adapted as the law of the land. Both members of Parliament expressed themselves in favour of national rating.

8.—Mr. Thomas Barnes, R.G.S., was presented by the Corporation of King’s Lynn with an “honorary address,” in lieu of the freedom of the borough, “disallowed by the Municipal Reform Act.” Mr. Baines, the son of a ship captain of the town, was a self-taught artist, who achieved for himself a very honourable position by his own enterprise and industry. He was serving as a volunteer at the Cape when he was selected as artist to accompany the North Australian Exploring Expedition, under Mr. Gregory. At the time of the presentation he was about to join Livingstone, on his expedition into the heart of Africa. Mr. Baines had already received considerable honours from the Royal Geographical Society, of which he was a member, and from other learned bodies.

12.—A public meeting was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, to consider a Bill then before Parliament introduced for the purpose of amalgamating the Norwich Gas Company with the British Gas Company. A resolution was adopted affirming that the operation of the proposed Bill would be very prejudicial to the interests of the ratepayers and inhabitants, by placing the future management of the gas supply in the hands of a company which had no local connection or sympathy with the interests of Norwich, and over whom the rate-payers and inhabitants would have no control. The meeting having heard the report of the Special Committee appointed by the Corporation, cordially approved the course adopted by the Committee, and pledged itself to use every effort to oppose the passing of the Bill. A petition was addressed to the House of Commons against the Bill, and on the 16th the Town Council adopted the same petition. The House of Commons Committee on Private Bills sat on April 20th, for the purpose of hearing objections to the measure. The proceedings closed on the 23rd, when the Bill was ordered to be reported to the House.

27.*—“Sir Henry Stracey, of Rackheath Hall, has obtained provisional protection for a cartridge which, by a very simple contrivance, gets rid of the necessity of biting off the end, a proceeding which is always objectionable.”

MARCH.

4.—Lord Stanley was re-elected member of Parliament for the borough of King’s Lynn, on his appointment as Secretary to the Colonial Department. On June 5th his lordship was again re-elected, on accepting the presidency of the Board of Control, vacated by Lord Ellenborough.

—Died at his residence, South Quay, Yarmouth, Sir Eaton Stanley Travers. A son of Mr. John Travers, of Hethyfield Grange, co. Cork, he was born in 1782, and entered the Navy September 15th, 1798, as midshipman, on board the Juno. He saw much active service, and was nine times mentioned in despatches. He was nominated K.H. on February 4th, 1834, and on March 5th in the same year had conferred upon him the honour of knighthood. Sir Eaton Travers was a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk. He married in April, 1815, Anne, eldest daughter of William Steward, of Yarmouth, by whom he had issue five sons and two daughters.

6.*—“Within the last few days a stone has been placed in the churchyard at East Dereham, in memory of Jean de Narde, a French prisoner of war, who, in the year 1796 while en route from Yarmouth to Norman Cross prison, was lodged in the lower chamber of the bell tower of the church, and escaped therefrom. He was pursued by the guard, and, after some search, was espied in a tree on the Scarning Road, and when summoned by a soldier to descend and surrender he did not comply. His non-compliance forfeited his life, for he was shot off it like a crow. The stone was erected by the vicar and two other gentlemen.”

8.—Miss Vandenhoff, tragic actress, from Drury Lane and Haymarket Theatres, commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in her play, “Woman’s Heart.” She also appeared in “Love’s Sacrifice,” “Ingomar,” “Macbeth,” and “The Stranger.”

22.—In the House of Lords, Lord Sondes presented a petition from the Town Council and certain magistrates of Yarmouth, praying for an inquiry into a recent appointment of justices for that borough. It was stated that the magistrates were constant in their attendance upon the Bench, and were sufficiently numerous. The borough contained 31,000 inhabitants, there were 31 magistrates, and 31 policemen. Upon the Bench every shade of political feeling was represented, but all the newly-appointed magistrates were of one political party. The Mayor of Yarmouth had interviewed the Lord Chancellor, and his lordship had intimated that it was his intention to persist in the appointment, and, moreover, he felt it his duty to appoint new magistrates of one particular party. The action of the Lord Chancellor had excited much feeling in the borough. Lord Cranworth now informed the House that he felt bound to put the magistracy in a position in which justice should not be partially administered, and if an inquiry were instituted it should have his entire concurrence. No further action resulted.

23.—At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a resolution was adopted expressing surprise and indignation that a covert attempt had been made to pervert the Grammar School and the Commercial School proposed to be established into exclusive institutions, which would not only deprive a large proportion of the inhabitants of the advantage of the schools, but would condemn them in public estimation, and tend to the frustration and utter subversion of the proposed scheme. The Charity Trustees were requested to resist this proceeding, to ascertain at whose instance the suggestion was made, and to consider whether recent complaints did not imperatively demand that a searching inquiry should be instituted into the conduct and management of the Grammar School. The Master of the Rolls, on July 17th, gave his decision upon the Grammar School case, which had long been before the Courts. It was ordered that twenty-one governors be appointed; the sum of £1,000 per annum derived from land and house property was to be appropriated to the maintenance of the Grammar School and Commercial School; the benefits of the Grammar School were to be open to all England; and all the expenses to which the Corporation and those who represented Norwich had been put were to be paid by the Charity Trustees. On December 4th the Norfolk Chronicle made the following remarkable statement in relation to the treatment of boys at the Grammar School: “We have recently been informed of a circumstance connected with the Grammar School which we could scarcely have credited but for the authority upon which we have received it. It is that there exists in that school a form of punishment which ought long since to have been unknown in a civilised country, amounting very nearly to bodily torture. We have been assured that for offences of a not very serious character boys are placed for hours between shelves so constructed that they cannot stand upright, but are obliged to stoop until the head is brought nearly level with the knees.” At a meeting of the Governors of the School, on December 8th, it was resolved, “That in consequence of the informant declining to come to the Governors and substantiate the charge referred to in the Chronicle newspaper of last Saturday, we proceed no further in the matter; but that we intimate to Dr. Vincent that we strongly disapprove of the mode of punishment alluded to in that newspaper, and if it has been practised, we request it may be discontinued.” The accusation was not denied, either by Dr. Vincent or by anyone on his behalf. On December 27th Dr. Vincent resigned his appointment as headmaster.

25.—Died at Hempnall, John Holmes, aged 104. “The deceased leaves behind him a son, Thomas, aged 87 years, and a grandson, aged 60 years, the latter himself being a great-grandfather, thus presenting the remarkable fact of a man living to witness the sixth generation, and to see his great-grandson become a grandfather.”

30.—The first annual dinner of the Norfolk and Norwich Anglers’ Society was held at the Bell Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. R. N. Bacon.

APRIL.

3.—Mr. R. Rising, of Costessey, rode his horse for a wager over nine consecutive single hurdles set up in the centre of a field. “This was performed in excellent style, coming back also over the same ground, and not refusing one. The spectators were rather astonished to see Mr. Rising repeat the feat with cap in hand. The judge of the bet, one of the first riders in the Norfolk Hunt, asked permission to ride the horse himself, saying he had ridden many good horses, but never one that would take a single hurdle. Upon Mr. Rising consenting, he rode the same round, thus making the animal in all leap 54 single hurdles.”

11.—Died, in his 82nd year, Mr. John Venning, of Surrey House, Norwich. A native of Totnos, Devonshire, he spent several years in Russia, as the representative of a firm of merchants. He became a member of the church at which the Rev. R. Knill officiated in St. Petersburg, and devoted his time and means to improving the wretched condition of the neglected and depraved populace of the Russian metropolis. He founded a school on the Lancasterian system for poor Russian children, a free school for the children of foreigners, a refuge for the reception and care of the helpless and destitute, a lunatic asylum in which the best modes of treatment were introduced, the Litofsky prison, constructed to admit of the classification and separation of prisoners; and he remodelled the great hospital for the reception of invalids. Mr. Venning gained the esteem of the Emperors Alexander and Nicholas, and the hearty co-operation of the Empress Dowager, as well as of other members of the Imperial family. Through his instrumentality all exiles starting for Siberia were furnished with copies of the Scriptures. When the destructive inundation of November, 1824, overwhelmed the city with the waters of the Neva, the Grand Duke Michael sent General Politica with 20,000 roubles to Mr. Venning to distribute among the suffering populace. “Throughout his long life Mr. Venning was a conscientious Dissenter—an Independent—but he saw without regret his nearest and dearest relations staunch members of the Church of England.” He married a daughter of Mr. Meybohm, of St. Petersburg, by whom he was survived.

22.—St. John’s church, Yarmouth, erected at the estimated cost of £1,700, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich.

24.—Died, in his 77th year, Mr. Thomas Osborn Springfield, one of the magistrates of Norwich, and head of the firm of Springfield, Son, and Nephew, of St. Mary’s, Norwich, and Coleman Street, London. Born in a comparatively humble sphere, he rose from the position of a small tradesman to a large silk merchant, “and during his career won and lost several fortunes, in consequence of the fluctuations of the silk markets.” His business career ended prosperously. He took an active part in all local matters, from the election of a parish beadle to that of a member of Parliament, ranging himself on the side called Radical. As he himself avowed, whenever he engaged in a contest he went in to win, and many of his victories were, doubtless, most costly. In 1827 he was elected one of the Sheriffs, and in 1829 Mayor of the city. After the passing of the Municipal Reform Act, he was, in 1836, selected to be the first Chief Magistrate under the new order of things. With a majority of one only of elected councillors, the Liberals were able to add sixteen aldermen to their number. This power they then exercised to the fullest extent, selecting men of their own party only, a one-sided system which was pursued without a break to the day of Mr. Springfield’s death. In 1852 he was solicited by requisition to become a candidate for the representation of the city, and if he had been inclined to accede there is little doubt that he would have secured his election. In private life Mr. Springfield exhibited many good traits; he was never unamiable nor ungenerous, and there were not a few persons in the city who could trace their first advancement in life to his assistance.

MAY.

5.—The action in relation to the East Dereham Corn Exchange came before the Vice-Chancellor’s Court. An order was made upon the Corn Exchange Company to pay the costs of the suit, except so far as they were incurred by the inquiries raised as to the user of the site occupied by the Corn Exchange, for the purpose of fairs and markets, and that they also pay the costs of the proceedings by way of indictment on the several counts upon which a verdict had been found for the Crown. The case was then ordered to stand over until after the Trinity term, for the consideration of the Attorney-General as to what further decree or order, if any, he might think right to apply for. The Vice-Chancellor declined to order the building to be pulled down as asked for by the relators, because it was a great public improvement. On June 26th the final decision was announced, namely, that upon payment by the proprietors of the new Corn Exchange of the costs awarded by the Court of Chancery and of £100 to the East Dereham Corn Market Company, the suit would be withdrawn, and in case of any indictment laid a nolle prosequi be entered. “These proceedings are, therefore, terminated. The hall is to remain, and the payment for admission will continue as heretofore.” (See February 16th, 1866.)

JUNE.

2.—Mountjoy the pedestrian, then in his 58th year, started from Lynn to Wisbech for his task of walking sixty-seven miles a day for four successive days. On August 16th he began a walk from Norwich to Dereham and back twice every day, but on the 17th was stopped on his way to Norwich, by order of the magistrates, because of the obstruction caused by the number of persons who assembled on the roads in the vicinity of the city. Mountjoy was apprehended in Norwich on September 11th, for leaving his wife and family chargeable to the funds of the St. Pancras Union; and on the same night attempted to commit suicide in his cell at the Guildhall by strangling himself with a pockethandkerchief.

11.—Died at Colne House, Cromer, aged 46, Sir Edward North Buxton, Bart., M.P. He was son of Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, first baronet, by the fifth daughter of Mr. John Gurney, of Earlham Hall, where he was born in 1812, and married in 1836 the second daughter of Mr. Samuel Gurney, of Ham House, Essex. He succeeded to the title on the death of his father, in 1845. From 1847 to 1852 he represented South Essex in Parliament, and in 1857 was returned unopposed with General Windham as member for East Norfolk. He was succeeded in the title by his son, Thomas Fowell, born in 1837.

13.—The Bishop of Oxford preached at Norwich Cathedral and at St. Peter Mancroft, on behalf of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel. His lordship, with Sir James Brooke, K.C.B., attended the annual meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall, on the 14th.

15.—A dinner of the Valpeian Club was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Sir James Brooke, Rajah of Sarawak. The guest of the evening was Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B., the conqueror of Delhi. General Wilson, who was an old boy of Norwich Grammar School, was presented with a dress sword, “in commemoration of his distinguished services in India, 1857–8, and as a memento of old friendships.”

20.—Died at Lee Cottage, Old Brompton, Mr. Dawson Turner, F.R.S., F.S.A., formerly of Great Yarmouth. He was in his 83rd year.

21.—The London Grand Opera Company appeared at Norwich Theatre. It included Miss Fanny Reeves, Miss Ethel Thirlwall, Miss Raymond, Mr. Henry Corri, Mr. J. B. Bowler, Mr. O. Summers, and Mr. Elliot Galer. Among the productions were “La Somnambula,” “Maritana,” “The Bohemian Girl,” and “Il Trovatore.”

26.—The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the representation of East Norfolk caused by the death of Sir E. N. Buxton took place at the Shirehall, Norwich. Sir Henry Josias Stracey was nominated by the Conservatives, and Major Coke by the Liberals. The polling took place on the 29th,—the first time in twenty years,—and on July 1st the result was officially declared as follows: Coke, 2,933; Stracey, 2,720.

JULY.

5.—A largely advertised “monstre fête and fancy fair,” under the management of Mr. J. W. Hoffman, was held on the old Cricket Ground, Norwich, under the patronage of the Mayor and Sheriff, the officers of the 15th Hussars, &c. Hoffman, who had already visited Norwich as the manager of an “organophonic” band, announced himself as the representative of “the Society for the Promotion of Public Amusements”—an entirely fictitious organization. Business was suspended in Norwich, the railway companies ran excursion trains, and the streets were thronged by many thousands of persons anxious to witness the “grand Middle-age pageant.” This consisted of a procession of between thirty and forty persons on foot and one horseman. It was everywhere received with groans and hisses. Ten thousand persons were present on the Cricket Ground to witness the “Old English Sports”; every item in the programme resulted in failure, and a bal champêtre was described as “a disgraceful affair, which ended in indiscriminate fighting among the blackguards on the ground.” For many years afterwards this “fête” was popularly known in Norwich as “Hoffman’s Humbug.”

7.—The headquarters of the 15th Hussars marched from Norwich, and were replaced, on Sept. 11th, by a detachment of Royal Horse Artillery, under the command of Major Brandling, C.B.

30.—A cricket match, Norfolk and Norwich v. Oxford and Cambridge Universities, was played on the Norwich ground. Norfolk and Norwich, 148—79; Oxford and Cambridge (1st innings), 122. The return match was played at Gunton Park on August 9th. Universities, 96—45; Norfolk and Norwich (first innings), 138.

AUGUST.

3.—The Mayor and Corporation of Lynn claimed, under the privileges extended by ancient charter, their right to a sturgeon weighing twelve stones, captured on the previous day by a fisherman named Norris. The man compounded with the Mayor by payment of the nominal sum of one penny.

5.—The residence of the Rev. Sir George Stracey, Bart., deceased, with eleven acres of land, at Thorpe, was sold by Messrs. Spelman, at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, for £6,035.

7.*—“The date of the present harvest will be remembered as the year in which reaping machines were fully established in Norfolk. It was only last year that they were introduced, for although there had been one or two in the county previously, they were not of the right sort, and it was not until M’Cormick’s reaper, as now made by Burgess and Key, that their number increased or their merits were appreciated by Norfolk farmers. The fact that the chief part of the Hussey machines, with their back delivery, have been returned or laid aside, and that on most large farms there was one of Burgess and Key’s last year there are two this harvest, will at once point out which machine is best adapted to Norfolk agriculture.”

16.—Died at Oulton Hall, Suffolk, Ann Borrow, widow of Captain Thomas Borrow, aged 87.

18.—Violent thunderstorms occurred in various parts of the county. The barn and other buildings at Newfoundland Farm, Cringleford, occupied by Mr. Drane, were destroyed by fire, with the loss of 340 coombs of barley, &c. A house was burnt down at Kenninghall, and horses were killed by lightning at Holt.

20.—Died at Woodbridge, Mr. David Fisher, aged 70. “He was a highly talented and respectable public character, and had resided at Woodbridge since his retirement from the stage twenty years previously. He belonged to a class much more numerous half a century since than at the present day. He was not only an actor, as nine-tenths of those who now strut their hour upon the stage are, by profession, but by intuition. Mr. Fisher was blessed with very rare histrionic and musical attainments. When he appeared at Drury Lane, as the contemporary and rival of Edmund Kean, it was felt to be the nearest approximation then or since seen to the overtowering abilities of that great dramatic luminary. Mr. Fisher, his father and family, made greater efforts than any other family ever did to establish and cultivate in the counties of Norfolk and Suffolk a taste for the drama, at a time when this amusement was more calculated to serve the highest office of the stage than in the present degenerate days. Mr. Fisher built himself theatres at Bungay, Beccles, Halesworth, Wells, North Walsham, Dereham, Lowestoft, Eye, and other towns, entirely at his own cost. He generally used to feel his way by sending a company in advance for a few seasons, who located themselves in such buildings as were available for their temporary purposes, and then, having whetted the appetites of the dwellers in rural districts for one of the most intellectual of all amusements, he summoned up courage to build a theatre, generally one of the best structures in the town. For very many years these speculations proved remunerative, even though the season did not last more than two or three months, and at intervals generally of two years. It is rarely that a good actor makes a good manager, but Mr. Fisher was an honourable exception to this rule—indeed, it was difficult to say what department this distinguished gentleman could not fill, and fill well, too. He was a first-rate musician, and for a considerable time was leader at our choral concerts, and occupied a good position at our first and early Festivals. So versatile was his genius that he has been known to play in the overture, then to appear in almost every act of the tragedy of ‘Hamlet,’ and subsequently re-appear as Dr. O’Toole in the farce of ‘The Irish Tutor.’ He was also an admirable scene painter. During the latter years of his management he was much assisted by his two brothers, Charles and George. Finding that the palmy days of the drama were fast fading away, Mr. Fisher retired from public life when about 50 years of age, and before all the little reserve fund he had accumulated was too much wasted to enjoy the evening of life in a quiet and unostentatious privacy. He was very much esteemed where he lived and died.”

24.—The Thorpe Grove estate, formerly the property of Mr. George Harvey, deceased, was sold for £11,390, about £2,000 in excess of the valuation sent in previous to the auction.

25.—Died at his residence, Crown Point, Norwich, Lieut.-General Money, C.B., K.C., Colonel of the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons. He entered the Army in 1794, was promoted Lieutenant the same year, and Captain in May, 1800; Major, December, 1809; Lieut.-Colonel, June 4th, 1814; Colonel, January 10th, 1837; Major-General, Nov. 9th, 1846; and Lieut.-General, June 20th, 1854. He served twenty-five years in the 11th Dragoons, and was in Flanders and Holland in 1794–95, and in the latter year saw service in Germany. He took part in the attack on the French lines, was present at their defeats on the heights of Cateau and near Tournay, and was at the battles of Roubaix, Launey, and other engagements. Under Sir Ralph Abercromby, he commanded a detachment of his regiment at Leghorn, Minorca, at the expedition to Cadiz in 1800, in Egypt in 1801, and was at the capture of Grand Cairo and Alexandria. In the Peninsula campaigns of 1811 and 1812 he was present at the siege of Badajoz, the battle of Salamanca, and the affair of cavalry near the Tormes on the following day, when three French battalions were taken. He was at the cavalry affairs of Callada Camino and Fenta de Poso. He served also in the campaign of 1815, and was at the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo; towards the close of the latter the command of the 11th Dragoons devolved upon him. General Money married, in 1841, Lady Annetta Laura Maria Waldegrave, daughter of the sixth Earl of Waldegrave. She died in 1856, leaving two daughters.

SEPTEMBER.

6.—The stone statue above the entrance to the Corn Exchange at East Dereham was inaugurated on this date. Mr. W. Freeman, of Swanton, was the principal promoter of the public fund with which the statue was purchased. It weighed upwards of three tons, and was cut out of a solid block of stone weighing over seven tons, taken from the Isle of Portland. Mr. Butler, of London, was the sculptor. The luncheon in celebration of the inauguration was presided over by Lord Sondes.

11.—Donati’s Comet was viewed with interest by thousands of the citizens of Norwich. “The extreme heat of the present month has impressed many that the comet has something to do with it.”

28.—A public testimonial, consisting of a piece of plate and a portrait of himself, painted by Mr. Boxall, of London, was presented by the inhabitants of Diss to Mr. Thomas Lombe Taylor, in recognition of his munificence in building, at his own expense, a Corn Hall for the use of the town, at the cost of £7,000. The presentation took place at the Corn Hall, where dinner was served, under the presidency of the Earl of Albemarle.

30.—The Congregational chapel, Chapel Field, Norwich, was opened for public worship. The special preacher was the Rev. Newman Hall, LL.B. The chapel was erected at the cost of £3,000, by Mr. Horace Sexton, from the plans of Mr. Joseph James, architect, Furnival’s Inn. It was intended to accommodate one thousand persons.

OCTOBER.

2.—The theft was reported, from the nave of St. Michael-at-Coslany, Norwich, of a brass which measured 14 in. by 5½ in., and had engraved upon it five lines of Latin verse, commemorating Richard Wallour, and bearing date 1505.

5.—A meeting was held at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich, to initiate measures for insuring to schools in Norfolk the advantages afforded by the Cambridge Middle Class examinations. Sir J. P. Boileau presided. The first examination was held at the Free Library, on December 14th, by Mr. H. M. Butler, when 31 boys were presented.

15.—Died at Sprowston, Mr. John Stracey, in his 86th year. He was born at Fort William, on November 26th, 1772, and was fifth son of the first baronet. In 1790 he went to India as a cadet in the Civil Service, and rose afterwards to be a judge, an appointment which he held for several years. On his return to England he took an active part in the business of the county, and was instrumental in obtaining the Act of Parliament for the removal of the Lent Assizes from Thetford to Norwich. He was twice married, and left three children—Col. Edward Stracey, of the Scots Fusilier Guards; the Rev. William Stracey, rector of Buxton and Oxnead; and Emma, widow of Mr. Arckwright.

23.—Died at his residence, Heigham Lodge, Norwich, Mr. Timothy Steward, aged 64. Early in life he came from Yarmouth, where he was born, to take a leading part in one of the largest commercial establishments of the city—the Pockthorpe Brewery. A member of the old Whig party, he was elected, after the passing of the Municipal Reform Act, to the Town Council, but after three years had expired be declined to offer himself for re-election, and retired from municipal duties with the Gurneys, Birkbecks, and Geldarts. In 1855, however, he was unexpectedly called upon to discharge the duties of the Shrievalty. He was a director of the East of England Bank and of the Norwich Union Fire Office, and was vice-president of the Norwich Union Life Office.

31.—The William Corry and Reliance steam vessels, with the North of Europe submarine cable on board, arrived off Weybourne and commenced laying the cable to the island of Borkum, at the mouth of the Ems, whence it was continued to Emden, in Hanover. The work was completed on November 4th. A line of telegraph was erected between Weybourne and Norwich, and continued along the old coach road, viâ Newmarket to London.

NOVEMBER.

3.—The Gresham Grammar School, at Holt, founded in 1554 by Sir John Gresham, was re-opened by the Fishmongers’ Company, of London, the trustees of the foundation. The new building was erected from designs by Mr. Suter, the architect to the Company, by Mr. Orman, of Ipswich. A commemoration service was held at the parish church, and luncheon was served in the school-house, under the presidency of the Prime Warden, Mr. Thomas Boddington.

9.—Mr. George Middleton was elected Mayor, and Mr. H. S. Patteson appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

20.—A meeting of agriculturists and merchants was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor, with the object of raising a fund for the erection of a new Corn Exchange, “upon a site next London Street and Exchange Street,” at the cost of £20,000. (See February 3rd, 1859.)

DECEMBER.

2.—Died at Bedford Place, Camden Hill, Kensington, aged 27, Robert Howlett, “well known by his successful applications of photography.” He was a son of the Rev. Robert Howlett, of Longham, where he spent his early days. He determined to devote himself to the scientific application of photography to the illustration and advancement of the fine arts. He had just perfected a method of transferring microscopic views of minute dissections to photographic agency without the necessity of intermediate drawings. The Queen and the Prince Consort were among his distinguished patrons.

21.—Mr. T. Townsend, M.P. for Greenwich, appeared at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Shylock. He also performed the parts of Hamlet and Richard the Third. He was announced “to address the public, giving he reasons for a Parliamentary orator adopting the stage as a profession.”

27.—The Christmas pantomime at Norwich Theatre was written by Mr. J. B. Buckstone, and entitled, “The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood, or Harlequin and the Spiteful Ogress and the Seven Fairy Godmothers from the Realm of Golden Flowers.” The other Christmas amusements were Brown’s “Royal Cirque Unique,” on the Castle Meadow, and Wombwell’s Menagerie.

27.—Mr. Fiddaman’s ch. g. Tinker, under 14 hands high, “very cleverly performed, with some time to spare,” twenty miles in an hour on the turnpike road between Lynn and Narborough.

29.—Died at Wolterton Park, Horatio, Earl of Orford, in his 76th year. He was son of the second earl by his first wife, daughter of Mr. Charles Churchill, and granddaughter maternally of Sir Robert Walpole, first Earl of Orford. Born in Whitehall, in 1783, he married the eldest daughter of Mr. William Augustus Fawkner, one of the clerks of the Privy Council, and succeeded his father in 1822. From July, 1812, to April, 1825, he was attached to the Embassy at St. Petersburg, and was subsequently a Lord of the Admiralty and a Commissioner for the affairs of India. He was elected member of Parliament for King’s Lynn in March, 1809, represented the constituency till June, 1822, and was in 1852 appointed a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk. For many years he held a distinguished position in the county as an influential leader on the Conservative side, and was a warm patron of the Turf. He was Colonel of the West Norfolk Militia, and Lord High Steward of the borough of King’s Lynn. The deceased earl was succeeded by his son, Horatio William, Lord Walpole, born in Belton Row in 1813, who married, in 1841, the only daughter of the Hon. Sir Fleetwood Pellew.

1859.

JANUARY.

6.—At the Norwich Police Court, Mr. H. Brown, proprietor of the “Cirque Unique,” Castle Meadow, appeared to answer an information preferred by Mr. William Sidney, manager of Norwich Theatre, charging him with performing a stage play without licence from the Lord Chamberlain. It was contended by the prosecution that the equestrian spectacle of “Mazeppa,” as presented at the Circus, was a stage play within the meaning of the Act to Regulate Theatres. The magistrates held that there was no contravention of the Act, and dismissed the case.

12.—A public meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Sheriff, to promote the objects of “The Metropolitan and County Association for the Equalization of the Poor Rates.” A resolution was adopted, affirming that as the poor rates generally of the County of Norfolk were unequally levied, some parishes paying less than one penny and others more than four shillings in the pound, and as the city suffered from this inequality and great discontent was caused among the ratepayers, it was the opinion of the meeting that the rates should be equalised by establishing a county rate.

31.—The Norwich Court of Guardians presented an illuminated address to Mr. A. A. H. Beckwith, on his retirement from the office of Governor of the Court, after a service of upwards of a quarter of a century.

FEBRUARY.

3.—The Norwich Corn Exchange Bill was before the examiner of private Bills in the House of Commons. The Standing Orders of the House were declared to have been complied with. The Bill passed through its remaining stages, and on August 1st received the Royal assent. (See November 9th, 1861.)

5.*—“Several primroses were gathered in the hedges near Ormesby a few days ago. The weather is exceedingly mild in this locality, which is not a little remarkable for this, almost the easternmost, part of England.”

10.—Mr. Gough, the celebrated temperance advocate, made his second appearance at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.

12.—Died at Buxton Vicarage, in his 79th year, Lieut.-General James Claud Bourchier, Colonel of the 3rd Dragoon Guards. He served under Sir Ralph Abercrombie in the expedition against Cadiz, in 1800, in the campaign in Egypt in 1801, and in the campaigns of 1811–12–15. He was present at the siege of Badajoz, the battle of Salamanca, the cavalry affairs at Callada de Carino and Venta de Toso, the battles of Quatre Bras and Waterloo, and the capture of Paris.

14.—Mr. Barnum, the celebrated showman, lectured at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on “Money-making and the Art of Humbug.” The lecture was described as “a strange medley—a most anomalous production.”

MARCH.

6.—East Dereham church was, for the first time, lighted with gas, through the munificence of an anonymous parishioner. Evening services were held from this date.

8.—The Norwich New Street Bill, the object of which was to acquire powers for constructing what is now known as the Prince of Wales Road, was before a Select Committee of the House of Lords. It was stated that a number of Norwich gentlemen had formed themselves into a company to construct a new roadway and street, and to buy the land fronting the said street to the depth of about 108 feet, leading from a point near the Eastern Counties Railway Station to King street, near Harveys and Hudsons’ Bank, a distance of something less than 500 yards. Rose Lane at that time formed the only approach from the station to the city. The Committee decided in favour of the Bill, leaving the question of compensation to be determined by a jury. The Bill was considered by a Select Committee of the House of Commons on June 28th, when the whole of the clauses were passed. (See June 19th, 1860.)

20.—Died at his residence, Highgate Rise, London, Mr. M. Prendergast, Q.C., Recorder of Norwich, and Judge of the City of London Sheriff’s Court. He was called to the Bar in 1820, and was appointed Recorder of Norwich on the death of Mr. Jermy, in 1848. He was succeeded in the Recordership by Mr. Peter Frederick O’Malley, Q.C.

24.—Supt. Robert Hitchman, of Devonport, was appointed Chief Constable of Norwich, in place of Mr. English.

31.—The first fall of snow during the winter, which had been very mild, occurred on this date. On April 6th and 7th the thermometer recorded 90 deg. in the sun.

APRIL.

6.—The celebrated dwarf, “General Tom Thumb,” held a series of “levées” at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, commencing on this date. “The General left the Hall daily in his miniature carriage, drawn by the smallest ponies in the world, and attended by an African coachman and footman in livery.”

19.—A clipper barque named the Athelstan, of 500 tons burthen, was launched from the yard of Messrs. H. Fellows and Son, Yarmouth.

29.—The General Election, consequent upon the defeat of the Derby Ministry on the Reform Bill and the Dissolution of Parliament on April 23rd, commenced in Norfolk on this date. At Yarmouth Sir Edmund Lacon (C) and Sir H. Stracey (C) were returned, with 699 and 659 votes respectively. The Liberal candidates were Mr. A. W. Young, 536, and Mr. E. W. Watkin, 568.

—The nomination of candidates for the representation of Norwich took place at the Guildhall. The Conservative candidates were Sir Samuel Bignold and Mr. Charles Manners Lushington; and the Liberal candidates Mr. W. H. Schneider and Lord Bury. The Mayor announced at the Police-Court that, having received information that probable attempts would be made to prevent voters from exercising their rights, he had obtained the assistance of a large body of county police, and had telegraphed to Sir Richard Mayne to supply a strong party of Metropolitan constables. The poll was opened on the 30th, and the election resulted as follows: Bury, 2,154; Schneider, 2,138; Bignold, 1,966; Lushington, 1,900. (See June 17th.)

—The Earl of Euston and Mr. Baring were returned without opposition as members of Parliament for Thetford. Mr. J. J. Colman, of Norwich, had been invited to become a candidate in the Liberal interest, but declined. The register contained the names of 220 electors.

—Lord Stanley (C) and Mr. J. H. Gurney (L) were returned unopposed for King’s Lynn.

MAY.

2.—Mr. Edward Howes (C) and Col. Wenman C. W. Coke (L) were returned unopposed for the division of East Norfolk.

4.—The Governors elected the Rev. Augustus Jessopp, of St. John’s College, Cambridge, head master of Helston Grammar School, to be head master of Norwich Grammar School.

6.—Mr. George William Pierrepont Bentinck (C) and Mr. Brampton Gurdon (L) were returned without opposition members for West Norfolk.

16.—The Mayor of Norwich, in compliance with a requisition, convened a Common Hall, at which a loyal address to the Queen was adopted, praying that there should be no interference in the war which had arisen on the Continent, but at the same time assuring her Majesty of the readiness of the citizens of Norwich to uphold the honour and dignity of her Crown under any circumstances that might arise.

17.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. J. H. Tillett moved that a petition be presented to Parliament praying for a full, searching, and impartial inquiry into corrupt and illegal practices at elections for members of Parliament for Norwich. The motion was adopted, and a committee appointed to draft the petition, which was presented for the approval of the Council on June 21st. It asserted that extensive and systematic bribery was practised; that it was rumoured a fund was raised in London prior to the last General Election for election purposes, and a considerable contribution from that fund was sent down to Norwich for the purpose of being used at the late election; and that a large sum of money had been subscribed in Norwich for the same purpose. The Council adopted the petition, and requested Mr. J. Bright, M.P., to present it to the House of Commons. The petition was presented on July 11th, and was ordered to lie upon the table. At a meeting of the Town Council on July 19th, it was agreed “That it be referred to a special committee to consider the propriety and expediency of applying in the next Session of Parliament for an Act for better regulating the election of members to serve in Parliament.” The Special Committee reported on August 8th, and recommended the Council to resolve that as soon as it should be known that an election for a member or members was to take place, the candidates with their influential and active supporters, to the number of not less than twenty on each side, be called upon to sign a declaration pledging themselves to abstain, both directly and indirectly, from and to discountenance treating and every form of corrupt or illegal practice or expenditure, and also engaging not to practice canvassing; that in case of infraction of the above-named, it be referred to the Right Hon. William E. Gladstone, M.P., and the Right Hon. Spencer Horatio Walpole, M.P., as referees, or to such third person as they might name, to determine whether the understanding had been honourably carried out or not, and the member or members returned should be bound to abide by such decision and to resign his or their seats if it were adjudged that his or their election was secured or promoted by the violation of such understanding, and that the other candidates and parties subscribing such declaration should also abide by the decision of such referees or umpire. The report was adopted, and a committee appointed to give effect to it. On October 29th a meeting was held at the Guildhall, convened by the following circular, issued by the Mayor (Mr. Middleton) and the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. Field): “Having heard from various quarters that an unusual effort will be made by each political party to secure the majority at the approaching municipal elections, we take upon ourselves the responsibility of asking our fellow-citizens to meet . . . with the view of saving the city, if possible, from a repetition of those disgraceful proceedings which have recently taken place in Norwich.” At the meeting the Deputy-Mayor moved the following resolution: “That, in the opinion of this meeting, the business of the Town Council and the Corporation of Guardians ought henceforth to be conducted without reference to political interests, but alone with the view of promoting the best interests of the citizens.” The discussion showed that the principle of the resolution was not agreeable to the meeting, whereupon Mr. Field withdrew it, and the proceedings ended.

23.—Miss Goddard, a tragic actress of some repute, appeared at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Hamlet. “Hamlet is now played by a woman,” wrote the critic, “infinitely better than it has been played by almost any of the opposite sex who have ever attempted it.”

24.—The Queen’s birthday was celebrated in Norwich by the entertainment at dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall, of nearly 700 of the poor of the city, at the joint expense of the Mayor and Sheriff.

26.—A déjeuner was given at the Town Hall, Yarmouth, in honour of the Bight Rev. Dr. Hills, Bishop of Columbia, and formerly incumbent of the parish, who was presented with an address and several gifts by the townspeople.

—The Volunteer movement commenced in Norfolk on this date. A public meeting, convened by the Mayor of Norwich, by request of the Lord Lieutenant of the county, was held at the Shirehall. It was decided that the inhabitants of the city and neighbourhood be invited to enrol themselves as active and honorary members of the Norwich Rifle Corps Club. All members were to provide their own uniform, the expense of which was not to exceed £3 or £4, and if the Government did not provide arms, the Committee would assist in individual cases to such an extent as the funds would permit. Honorary members were to pay an annual subscription of one guinea. The drill required from active members was not to exceed two hours a day on three days a week, and they were assured that “on no occasion could they be called from Norwich except in case of actual invasion or rebellion.” Many Volunteers were enrolled at the conclusion of the meeting. Similar meetings were held in all the towns of the county, and the movement soon became general. At an adjourned meeting, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, on July 2nd, and presided over by Lieut.-Col. FitzRoy, “to consider the best patterns for the clothing and accoutrements of the Rifle Corps in the towns throughout the county,” it was resolved, “That the uniform for the city of Norwich and the boroughs in the county be a gray cloth tunic coat with black mohair braid and buttons down the centre, with a low, upright collar, and trousers of the same colour and material, and with a shako of hair cloth of the same colour as the uniform, that a plume be worn, and that the appointments be a patent leather black waistbelt, with pouch bags; the officers’ dress to be distinguished by some embroidery above the cuff of the coat and by a pouch-belt, with bronzed whistle and chain, and a slung waistbelt, with sword and steel scabbard.” A general meeting of the members of the three companies formed in Norwich—the Mayor’s Company, the Sheriff’s Company, and Mr. Hay Gurney’s Company—was held at the Guildhall, on July 5th, when the officers were elected as follows: For the Mayor’s Company, Mr. R. Seaman lieutenant, and Mr. A. J. Cresswell ensign. For the Sheriff’s Company, Mr. Henry Morgan lieutenant, and Mr. Charles Foster ensign. For Mr. Hay Gurney’s Company, Mr. Croker lieutenant, and Mr. Charles Henry Gurney ensign. The captains were respectively Mr. Middleton (Mayor), Mr. H. S. Patteson (Sheriff), and Mr. Hay Gurney. In the month of September two additional companies were formed, one commanded by Mr. J. H. Orde, with Mr. E. P. Youell as lieutenant and Mr. J. Tomlinson as ensign; and the other by Mr. William Swatman (brevet colonel), with Mr. F. J. Cresswell as lieutenant. The first public parade of the corps took place on October 7th, when the muster was 220, and “Capt. Black, an honorary member of the corps, kindly consented to put them through their evolutions on the Cricket Field.” Mr. Simms Reeve, the honorary secretary, announced on November 5th that long Enfield rifles had been supplied by Government free of cost; and on December 5th, at a general meeting of the corps, Major Brett was elected Major Commandant.

JUNE.

17.—A petition against the return of Lord Bury and Mr. Schneider as members of Parliament for Norwich, was presented in the House of Commons. Bribery and other corrupt and illegal practices were alleged. The Special Committee appointed to inquire into the petition sat on July 29th, and on July 30th decided “That the election of Lord Bury and Mr. Schneider was a void election, and that both, by their agents, were guilty of bribery.” Sir Samuel Bignold, on his return from London, on the 30th, was welcomed by an immense crowd at Thorpe Station, and, escorted by a torch-light procession headed by a band of music, his carriage was dragged in triumph to his residence in Surrey Street.

23.—A writ was issued for the election of a member of Parliament for Norwich, in consequence of a vacancy caused in the representation of the city by the acceptance of the appointment of Comptroller of Her Majesty’s Household by Viscount Bury. The nomination took place at the Guildhall, on the 28th, when the candidates were Viscount Bury, Sir Samuel Bignold, and Col. Henry George Baldero. The show of hands was in favour of Lord Bury, and a poll was demanded on behalf of Sir Samuel Bignold and Col. Baldero. The poll was opened on the 29th, and declared on the 30th, as follows: Bury, 1,922; Bignold, 1,561; Baldero, 39. Lord Bury was declared elected. (See March 9th, 1860.)

JULY.

3.—Died in London, in his 90th year, the Right Rev. Dr. Maltby, formerly Bishop of Durham. He was born in the parish of St. George Tombland, Norwich, on April 9th, 1770, and at the age of nine years was sent to the Free Grammar School, then under the mastership of Dr. Parr. On the resignation of Dr. Parr, Maltby, who was then head boy, proceeded to Winchester, and entering Pembroke Hall, Cambridge, he there gained a University scholarship. He was seventh or eighth wrangler and first medallist, and obtained a prize for Greek epigrams. Maltby afterwards became domestic chaplain to the Bishop of Lincoln. He was author of “Sermons on the Christian Religion,” and editor of Morell’s “Thesaurus,” and wrote a very learned and judicious book on “Divinity.” He held one of the prebends of Lincoln Cathedral and the living of Brickdon. In 1831 he was consecrated Bishop of Chichester, and was translated to Durham in 1836. Under Act of Parliament he resigned the latter see in September, 1856, and was allowed an annuity of £4,500.

7.—Died at Roydon Rectory, the Rev. Temple Frere, canon of Westminster and rector of Roydon, aged 78. He was son of Mr. John Frere, for some years member of Parliament for Norwich, and took his B.A. degree at Trinity College, Cambridge, in 1802, as eighth junior optime, migrating afterwards to Downing College. Ordained deacon in 1804 and priest in 1805, he was presented, in 1820, to the family living of Roydon (valued at £400), which he held until his death. He owned the greater part of Diss, and was an active magistrate in that division of the county. Having served some time as chaplain of the House of Commons, he was gazetted to a canonry in Westminster Abbey in 1838. Canon Frere was remarkable for his businesslike habits, and is said to have considerably improved in value the Abbey estates.

12.—The new “marine promenade” at Wells-next-the-Sea, for which the town was indebted to the Earl of Leicester, was opened on this date. The work of construction was commenced in March, 1857. The length of the embankment is 1 mile 132 yards, and its height at the highest part 22 ft. 6 in.

14.—A fire occurred on the premises of Mr. Noble, organ builder, Pottergate Street, Norwich. The entire stock was destroyed. The building adjoined the hospital for invalids of the West Norfolk Militia. “Ten sick Militiamen escaped from the house in great alarm, and only partially dressed.”

18.—Messrs. Butcher, of Norwich, commenced the sale of the Earl of Orford’s estates; the proceedings concluded on the 21st. The Tivetshall estate realised £73,775; the Saxthorpe estate, £99,740; the Briston and Corpusty estate, £8,427; and the Burnham and Weybourne estate, £6,182.

AUGUST.

3.—Mr. Spurgeon made his first appearance in Norwich, on his mission for procuring funds to erect a “monstre tabernacle in London to accommodate the immense congregations drawn together by his peculiar pulpit oratory.” About 2,500 persons assembled at St. Andrew’s Hall to hear his sermon. In the evening Mr. Spurgeon preached in the open air, in Chapel Field, to a congregation of more than 10,000. “The collection at the afternoon service amounted to £28, which Mr. Spurgeon took occasion to say, in introducing another collection in the evening, was the shabbiest collection he had ever had.” In the evening £23 was contributed.

12.—The Donegal Militia, 300 strong, arrived at Yarmouth, in the ss. Himalaya. Lieut.-Col. Lord Claud Hamilton was in command of the regiment, which relieved the Louth Rifles (Militia).

13.—A meeting of landowners and others interested in a proposed line of railway from Norwich to Aylsham and Cromer was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of Sir Henry Stracey, Bart., M.P. The meeting favoured the scheme, and appointed a provisional committee.

18.—The first recorded angling match took place on this date, at Limpenhoe Reach, on the Yare, for prizes given by Mr. C. J. Greene, of Rose Lane, Norwich. The total weight of fish taken by the 28 competitors in the course of eight hours was 16 st. 7 lbs. 1 oz. Mr. G. Harman secured first prize, with a catch of 33 lbs. 3 ozs.

28.—A remarkable case of protracted abstinence from food was discovered at St. Faith’s. A man, who gave the name of William Watling, of Felmingham, aged 60, was found in a prostrate and apparently dying condition in a plantation. His statement was to the effect that five weeks previously, when tramping the country, he was overcome with heat and crawled into the plantation. From that spot, he declared, he had not moved for five weeks, and although persons passed very near the wood, he failed, in consequence of physical exhaustion, to attract their attention. He had neither food nor drink during the whole time, and ate nothing but the grass and leaves around him, and a few blackberries. “His bones almost protruded through his skin, and his flesh was nearly all dried up.” The medical opinion was that he would not recover, but there is no further record of the case.

31.—The ceremony of laying the first stone of the new church of Holy Trinity, Norwich, was performed by the Mayor (Mr. Middleton). A special service was held at St. Peter Mancroft, when the sermon was preached by the Ven. Archdeacon Bouverie, and, after the laying of the stone, a large gathering was held in a temporary building adjoining the site. (See August 8th, 1861.)

SEPTEMBER.

2.—Died Mrs. Sarah Bickersteth, widow of the Rev. Edward Bickersteth, rector of Watton, Herts. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. Thomas Bignold, of Norwich, and sister of Sir Samuel Bignold. Born on October 3rd, 1788, she married, on May 5th, 1812, Mr. Edward Bickersteth, who was then a solicitor practising in Norwich. Two years afterwards, at the call of the Rev. Josiah Pratt, he gave up a lucrative business for the laborious post of co-secretary in the Church Missionary House, and visited the missions on the West Coast of Africa. Four fourteen years Mrs. Bickersteth shared all his toils, until 1830, when he was presented to the living of Watton, by Mr. Abel Smith, M.P. He died in February, 1850, and Mrs. Bickersteth, for the last nine years of her life, divided her time among her children. She spent the last month with her son, the incumbent of Christ church, Hampstead.

15.—The church of Framingham Pigot, built through the munificence of Mr. G. H. Christie, at a cost exceeding £5,000, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich.

OCTOBER.

8.—Died, in the 100th year of her age, Mary Tallowin, of Bowthorpe.

11.—Charles Dickens gave a reading, at St. Andrew’s Hall, of the “Christmas Carol” and the trial scene from “The Pickwick Papers,” and on the 12th read the story of Little Dombey and of Mrs. Gamp. “The reception of Mr. Dickens, on his first appearing in front of a very artistically arranged screen, was cordial and enthusiastic. His voice was far from powerful, but he had remarkable expression and the power of exhibiting this in face as well as in voice. As a pecuniary speculation, it must have been highly profitable to Mr. Dickens.”

17.—The town of Attleborough was, for the first time, lighted with gas, an event which was celebrated by a public dinner at the New Inn.

20.—At the Norwich Quarter Sessions, John Plummer (25), shoemaker, was indicted for stealing a model of a gold nugget, the property of the trustees of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum. Mr. Reeve, the curator of the Museum, stated that the model was worth only a few shillings, but it was an attractive object, and generally supposed by visitors, and no doubt by the prisoner, to be a piece of genuine gold. The prisoner was sentenced to seven years’ penal servitude.

21.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, the Police Committee called attention to an Act of Parliament passed in the previous month of August, empowering the substitution of policemen for javelin men at the Assizes, and recommending that the Chief Constable be authorised, on the application of the High Sheriff, to employ a sufficient number of constables for that purpose, the High Sheriff engaging to pay such sum as would, in the estimation of the Chief Constable, be sufficient to meet the additional expense of such employment. The matter was adjourned for further consideration. (See January 5th, 1860.)

—Mr. R. M. Phipson was elected County Surveyor.

24.—A singular question came before the Norwich Town Council, in relation to the right of the Corporation to the property of convicts. The Police Committee reported they had been informed by the Chief Constable that on the apprehension of one George Valentine, on a charge of felony, a large sum of money was found in his possession. Valentine having been tried and convicted at the Quarter Sessions, the Town Clerk had stated that the city was entitled to the convict’s money. The Chief Constable wished to know how he should dispose of the money. The Committee were advised that, after the conviction, the city had become entitled to the money under a Royal charter granted during the reign of Henry IV. The Council ordered that the money remain in the hands of the City Treasurer, pending further inquiry. The question was again considered by the Council on May 12th, 1863, when the Town Clerk reported that after Valentine’s conviction it was found that, in addition to the sum in question (£90), he had £60 deposited in a savings bank in London. The Town Clerk had given notice to the bank directors that the Corporation claimed the money, but since the liberation of the prisoner he had been pressed to withdraw the notices, and had refused to do so without the sanction of the Corporation. The difficulty under which the Corporation laboured was that the money was out of their jurisdiction, and they had no control over it beyond the notice that had been given. If further steps were taken the question would arise whether it was a forfeiture to the Corporation or to the Crown, but as this would involve an inquisition, the cost of which would probably exhaust the money enquired about, it was for the Council to say whether, the man, having served his term of three years’ penal servitude, and having petitioned for some relief from the fund to place him in a position to gain an honest livelihood, they would authorise the withdrawal of the notice. It was agreed that the notice be withdrawn.

25.—A severe storm occurred off the Norfolk coast. At Winterton two vessels were wrecked and thirteen lives lost. At Yarmouth there were several wrecks, and for miles the shore was strewn with remains of cargoes and portions of vessels. The sloop James and Jessie drifted on to the Britannia Pier, and severed the structure into two parts.

26.—Mr. and Mrs. German Reed gave, at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich, their entertainment entitled, “Seaside Studies.”

NOVEMBER.

9.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. J. H. Tillett was elected Mayor, and Mr. Joseph Underwood appointed Sheriff.

—Mr. Tillett, on taking his seat as Mayor of Norwich, informed the Town Council that an attempt had been made to bribe one of the Councillors. Mr. Joel Fox, the member in question, produced the halves of three £100 bank notes, which, he alleged, the Conservatives had handed to him to induce him to vote for eight Conservative Aldermen. After the vote had been recorded the payment was to be completed. Amid much excitement, a Special Committee was appointed to investigate the case. On November 12th, before the Committee had presented their report, criminal proceedings were instituted against Mr. Albert John Collins, solicitor, a member of the firm of Beckwith and Collins, who was charged at the Police Court with conspiring with Henry Croxford, stationer and others, to bribe Joel Fox, Town Councillor, by promising and offering him a sum of money to vote for certain Aldermen. Croxford, the other defendant, had absconded. Fox alleged that he went to Croxford’s house, where he was shown the halves of three £100 notes and four £50 notes, which were offered to him by Croxford, on behalf of Collins, on condition that he voted for the Conservative Aldermen. After formal evidence, the case was adjourned. On the 16th the Committee of the Council asked for full power and authority to proceed with the investigation, and to take such steps as might be necessary for the prosecution of the offenders. The Council granted the application. The magisterial proceedings were resumed on the 17th, when Mr. Power, Q.C. (instructed by the Town Clerk, Mr. Mendham), appeared for the prosecution, and Mr. Serjeant Ballantine for the defendant Collins. After further evidence had been taken, the case was again adjourned. Meanwhile informations had been laid against William Wilde, William Wilde, the younger, William George Wilde, James Stowers, and Sir William Foster, members of the Liberal party, for conspiring to bribe at the last General Election for the city. By way of reprisal, the Liberals obtained summonses, through William Randell Lacey, against Sir Samuel Bignold, the Rev. F. S. Bignold, J. H. Bignold, James Hardy, Capt. Ives, and G. Priest, for unlawfully conspiring by bribery and other illegal means to return Sir Samuel Bignold and Mr. Charles Lushington at the last election of members of Parliament. On Nov. 19th the magistrates decided to hear all the cases on December 8th. A special meeting of the Town Council was held on December 6th, to consider the following motion by Mr. Simms Reeve: “That it is the opinion of this Council that the peace and welfare of the city will be best promoted by the cessation of political strife, and, with the view to the attainment of that object, the resolution of the Council of the 16th November last, with reference to the charge of bribery made by Mr. Councillor Fox, be cancelled, and that all further legal proceedings against Henry Croxford and Albert John Collins and others for conspiracy be stayed.” The motion was seconded by Mr. Field. Mr. C. M. Gibson moved, as an amendment, “That the due administration of justice is essential to the peace and welfare of the city, and it is therefore the opinion of the Council that the resolution of the 16th November . . . should be again confirmed.” The motion was carried by 28 votes against 19. On December 8th, when the magisterial proceedings were resumed, the Town Clerk said he had no instructions from the Town Council to proceed with the prosecution. After he had formally withdrawn, Mr. R. N. Bacon, Mr. J. J. Colman, Mr. J. Youngs, Mr. J. Newbegin, Mr. C. N. Bolingbroke, the Rev. G. Gould, the Rev. J. Crompton, Mr. E. C. Holland, and Mr. John Pymar appeared as prosecutors, and Mr. Power claimed to be heard as their counsel. The Bench decided that there was no prima facie case against Collins, who was discharged on giving sureties to answer any charge that might be made against him at the Assizes. Serjeant Ballantine thereupon said that he would offer no evidence in the charges against the Messrs. Wilde, and Mr. S. H. Asker, who appeared for the complainant Lacey, withdrew the summons issued on his information.

12.—Mr. Louth, landlord of the Rampant Horse Hotel, Norwich, received fatal injuries by the overturning of his vehicle in London Street. His father, by whom he was accompanied, also sustained severe wounds, from which he died on the 18th.

30.—The foundation-stone of the St. Andrew’s Wherrymen’s chapel, at Yarmouth, was laid by the Mayor (Mr. W. Worship). The building, which was erected at the cost of £1,050, by Mr. Stanley, of Yarmouth, from plans by Mr. C. E. Giles, of London, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich on October 9th, 1860.

DECEMBER.

1.—The Norwich Operatic Union gave its first concert, from Verdi’s “Il Trovatore,” at St. Andrew’s Hall. The principal vocalists were Miss Theresa Jefferys, Mr. Angus Braham, Miss Laura Baxter, and Mr. Durand. The band and chorus of 80 performers were conducted by Mr. Bunnett, B.M., Mr. Alfred Bowles was instrumental leader, and Mr. Henry Rudd choral director.

—A fatal accident occurred on the works in progress at the new Fishmarket, Norwich, by the falling in of three of the arches beneath the “promenade.” A workman, named William Powley, of Necton, was killed, and another workman sustained a broken leg. At the adjourned inquest, on December 15th, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, with the rider: “They consider, from the evidence of eminent architects of London and builders of Norwich, that the buildings are in an unsafe condition, and require the immediate attention of the Corporation, in order to insure the perfect safety of the public.”

10.—Died at Sydenham, Col. the Hon. John Walpole, of 18, Jermyn Street, Piccadilly, aged 73. He was son of the second Earl of Orford, served with the Guards in the Peninsula War, and was severely wounded at the siege of Burgos. From 1827 to 1831 he was member of Parliament for King’s Lynn; from 1830 to 1833 private secretary to Lord Palmerston; from 1833 to 1841 Consul-General in Chili; and from 1841 to 1849 chargé d’affaires there.

17.—A heavy fall of snow and a frost of great severity were recorded. “In the course of the 17th, the thermometer fell to 14 degrees, and on the 18th to 9 degrees, or 27 degrees below freezing-point.”

26.—The pantomime at Norwich Theatre was “founded on the celebrated and world-known Norfolk ballad,” and entitled, “The Babes in the Wood, and Harlequin and the Cruel Uncle, or the Forest Queen of the Fairy Dell.” The other Christmas attraction was Mander’s Menagerie.

27.—Died, Jacob Astley, Lord Hastings, of Melton Constable and of Seaton Delaval, Northumberland. He was son of Sir Jacob Henry Astley, fifth baronet, by the youngest daughter and co-heiress of Samuel Browne, of King’s Lynn. His lordship was born in 1797, married in March, 1819, the youngest daughter of Sir Henry Watkin Dashwood, Bart., and succeeded his father in the baronetcy in 1817. As one of the heirs of Sir John de Hastings, who sat in the Parliament of 18th Edward I., he was summoned to the House of Peers in 1841. He was appointed first Captain and Commandant of the Norfolk Militia Artillery in 1853, and Hon. Colonel in 1856. From 1832 to 1837 he represented West Norfolk in Parliament. His lordship was succeeded by his son, the Hon. Jacob Henry Delaval Astley, born in 1822.

1860.

JANUARY.

5.—At the County Sessions, at Norwich, the Committee appointed at the previous Sessions recommended that the Chief Constable, on the application of the High Sheriff, be allowed to supply police-constables for keeping order in the Assize Courts, in place of the javelin men previously employed, the High Sheriff engaging to pay the additional expense. The Chairman (Sir Willoughby Jones) remarked that theoretically the javelin men kept the Courts, but practically they kept the neighbouring public-houses. The recommendation was agreed to. On March 27th, Mr. Justice Williams was received at Victoria Station by the High Sheriff (Mr. Henry Birkbeck) and a posse of policemen, “in the place of the time-honoured body which had long constituted a conspicuous part of the pomp and circumstance of our Assizes, having at length succumbed to the utilitarian tyranny of the age. His arrival at the Shirehall and Guildhall was signalised, however, by the customary fanfaronade on a couple of inharmonious trumpets.”

15.—St. Giles’ church, Norwich, was for the first time lighted with gas, and evening services were held there from this date.

17.—Mr. E. E. Benest, City Surveyor, tendered his resignation to the Norwich Town Council, after eight years’ service. He was succeeded, on March 14th, by Mr. Thomas D. Barry.

20.—Lord Sondes was presented by his Norfolk tenantry with a piece of plate, of the value of 140 gs., as a birthday gift and as a testimony of the esteem in which he was held by them as a landlord and nobleman.

FEBRUARY.

7.—A fire occurred on the premises of Mr. W. C. Aberdein, pastry cook, Dove Street, Norwich. The outbreak itself was not of a serious character, but in a room upon the adjoining premises of Mr. Cubitt, ironmonger, was stored upwards of 400 lbs. of gunpowder, which was safely removed in wet blankets. The circumstance caused much sensation, and the practicability of establishing a public powder magazine was discussed by the magistrates.

20.—Died at King’s Lynn, Mr. J. F. Reddie, many years organist at St. Margaret’s church, in that town.

24.—A petition against the return of Sir Edmund Lacon and Sir H. Stracey, as members of Parliament for Great Yarmouth, in April, 1859, commenced before a Special Committee of the House of Commons. The petitioners, Mr. Joseph Bayly, surgeon, and Mr. Robert Pilgrim, linen draper, alleged bribery, undue influence, treating, and intimidation. On March 1st the Committee declared the members to have been duly elected, and were of opinion that one of the witnesses, Henry Fayerman, had been guilty of wilful and corrupt perjury. The members were received with great enthusiasm on their return to Yarmouth, and were entertained at a public dinner, given at the Theatre, on April 12th. At the Westminster Police Court, on June 11th, Fayerman was committed for trial on the charge of perjury, but at the Old Bailey, on July 12th, the jury gave a verdict of acquittal.

28.—A terrible gale raged throughout the country. At Norwich, between ten o’clock and noon, the thermometer rose from 36 degrees to 47 degrees; at two o’clock it registered 45 degrees. The wind blew from the west, veering occasionally to the north and to w.n.w., but during the height of the gale it blew west by north. Great damage was done to buildings, trees were uprooted, and “locomotion was extremely difficult and laborious, and, indeed, quite out of the question to those of the fair sex whose fashionable expanded dresses, assuming the properties of parachutes, compelled them to undertake a species of aerial voyage for a distance of a few yards, or exposed them to the still more unpleasant predicament of having their parachute garments inverted.” There were many disasters along the coast, and several lives were lost.

MARCH.

9.—A Special Committee of the House of Commons sat to decide various questions arising out of the elections at Norwich in 1859. The first point to be decided was whether Lord Bury’s claim, by virtue of the election in July, was not nullified by the bribery which was proved to have been made by his agents when he was returned with Mr. Schneider in April; and secondly, whether, in the event of such disqualification, Sir Samuel Bignold or Colonel Boldero had a valid claim. There were three petitions: (1) against the return of Lord Bury and the qualification of Sir Samuel Bignold, on the ground that both had been guilty of bribery at the April election, and the seat was, therefore, claimed for Colonel Boldero (signed by Josiah Fletcher, S. Jarrold, and J. J. Kempster); (2) alleging the disqualification of Lord Bury, and claiming the seat for Sir Samuel Bignold (signed by J. G. Johnson and R. Kerrison); and (3) alleging the disqualification of both Lord Bury and Sir Samuel Bignold, and claiming the seat for Colonel Boldero (signed by P. Back and G. C. Stevens). No appearance was put in in support of the first petition. The Committee declared that Lord Bury was not merely disqualified from sitting in the House of Commons during the then Parliament, but the last election was void, in consequence of his lordship having been found, since that return, guilty of bribery by his agents. A writ was then issued for another election, and on March 28th the following candidates were nominated: Mr. W. Forlonge (C), Aynhoe Park, Northamptonshire; Mr. W. D. Lewis, Q.C. (C); Sir William Russell (L), and Mr. Edward Warner (L). The polling took place on the 29th, and the result was officially declared on the 30th, as follows: Warner, 2,083; Russell, 2,045; Forlonge, 1,636; Lewis, 1,631.

24.—Died at his residence, Hillington Hall, aged 73, Sir William John Henry Browne ffolkes, Bart. He represented the county, and afterwards the Western Division, as a supporter of Liberal principles from 1830 through the Reform era, but lost the seat on the redaction of the Conservative party in 1837, when Mr. Bagge and Mr. Chute were returned. As a magistrate, country gentleman, and landlord, Sir William was highly esteemed. He was Chairman of Quarter Sessions at Swaffham, and chairman of the Norfolk Estuary Company. He was succeeded by his grandson, William Howell, then in his twelfth year, and eldest son of Martin Brown ffolkes, who was killed by lightning in July, 1849.

24.—The Rev. J. W. L. Heaviside was installed Canon of Norwich Cathedral, in succession to Canon Wodehouse, resigned. Mr. Heaviside was a professor at Haileybury College, an examiner in mathematics for the University of London and for the Council of Military Education, and a brother of Mr. Heaviside, formerly master of the Norwich School of Art.

29.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn and a special jury, was tried a libel action, in which Mr. Samuel B. Cory, solicitor, Yarmouth, was the plaintiff, and Mr. T. W. Bond, publisher of the “Norfolk News,” Norwich, the defendant. The libel was contained in a letter written to the newspaper by a Mr. Fabb, who alleged, among other things, that Mr. Cory had laid informations in certain game cases, with the object of putting the fees into his own pocket. Mr. Fabb, it was understood, had indemnified the “Norfolk News.” The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, with one farthing damages, as to that part of the libel above quoted, and for the defendant as to other portions of the libel, on the ground that they had been justified as true. The effect of the verdict was that plaintiff had to pay his own costs and half the costs of the defendant. In a second action, Mr. Fabb sued Mr. Cory for malicious prosecution, and obtained a verdict for £30 damages.

30.—Died, in her 63rd year, at Cheltenham, while on a visit to her son-in-law, the Rev. J. F. Fenn, Lady Bignold, wife of Sir Samuel Bignold.

APRIL.

2.—An important will case, Wright v. Wilkin, commenced at the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn and a special jury. It was brought in the form of an action for ejectment to recover possession of certain tenements and lands held by the defendant, Thomas Martin Wilkin, solicitor, of Lynn, under the will of an old lady named Mary Mann. The plaintiff, who was heir-at-law, alleged that the will was obtained from an infirm and weak-minded person by fraudulent practices and contrivances. The will had already been disputed, and in that trial a verdict was given in favour of Mr. Wilkin; this action was brought because there had come to the knowledge of the plaintiff facts and circumstances which had been entirely withheld from the former jury. The trial lasted until the afternoon of the 3rd, when the jury found for the defendant, subject to argument upon certain points reserved. These were stated in the Court of Queen’s Bench on April 9th, and were to the effect that the devise to the defendant was defeated by his neglect to comply with a condition of the will, namely, that the devise was conditional on the devisee paying off certain legacies within twelvemonths in case the personal estate should be insufficient for that purpose. It transpired that the personal estate was insufficient, but the defendant did not pay one of the legacies within the time stipulated. It was also contended for the plaintiff that the devise to the defendant was void, inasmuch as it was a contrivance to defeat the Statute of Mortmain, several of the legacies being for charitable purposes, and that the defendant had misled the testatrix by not telling her that, under 43rd George III., she could leave as much as five acres of land for the repair of the church. Lord Chief Justice Cockburn granted a rule nisi. In the Court of Queen’s Bench, on November 27th, the Lord Chief Justice said the rule must be discharged, as the words in the will were not intended to impose a condition, the non-observance of which would involve forfeiture. Mr. Justice Crompton and Mr. Justice Blackburn concurred. The rule was discharged.

MAY.

24.—The Queen’s birthday was celebrated at Norwich by a parade on Mousehold of the Royal Horse Artillery, the West Norfolk Militia, and the Rifle Volunteers. The Mayor afterwards entertained the officers at luncheon at the Guildhall, and in the evening the Volunteers dined at St. Andrew’s Hall, under the presidency of Major Brett.

28.—A violent gale from the north-west did extensive damage in Norwich and throughout the county. Terrible disasters were reported on the coast. Twenty vessels belonging to Yarmouth and Lowestoft were lost, 200 men and boys perished, and 240 women and children were left in a state of destitution. On the 29th an inquiry was held at Yarmouth into certain allegations as to the conduct of the beachmen and crew of the lifeboat. It was stated that, in consequence of differences which had arisen, much valuable time was lost in launching the lifeboat, and a resolution expressing regret at the delay was adopted. A public fund was raised for the destitute families of the local fishermen. During the gale, the north-east pinnacle of St. Peter’s church, Yarmouth, was dislodged, the windows of Cromer church were blown in, and at Blickling 247 oaks were uprooted in the Great Wood, 216 in Hercules Wood, and 190 in other portions of the park. It was estimated that 1,500 trees were levelled on the estate.

—The American horse tamer, Rarey, gave an exhibition of his system of training, in the riding school at the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich.

JUNE.

4.—The Royal Horse Artillery marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, en route to Woolwich, and were escorted to the city boundary by the Rifle Volunteers.

9.—An extraordinary case, arising out of the sudden disappearance of a lad named Vansittart, came before the Norwich magistrates. The lad was a son of Mr. Vansittart, member of Parliament for Windsor, and had been placed at school under the care of the Rev. F. H. S. Hodgson, rector of Rackheath. At Brighton, some time previously, he had developed Roman Catholic tendencies, and his friends were anxious to remove him from the sphere of such influences. Mr. Hodgson, while engaged in parochial duties, missed the youth, and gave information to the police at Norwich, who found him at the house of a Roman Catholic jeweller, named Beha. The lad made a very singular statement, to the effect that an Italian priest, attired in a long blue cloak, had persuaded him to leave school and join the Roman Catholics in London; that he had gone to Norwich and met Canon Dalton, the priest at St. John Maddermarket Roman Catholic chapel, to whom he had shown a watch belonging to a school-fellow; that Canon Dalton had advanced him six shillings, and recommended him to take the watch to Beha, for the purpose of raising sufficient money to pay the balance of his railway fare to London; and that he was preparing to start for town when he was detained by the police. Canon Dalton declared that he had not seen the lad prior to his coming to St. John Maddermarket. The matter was adjourned for further inquiry, and on the 11th Canon Dalton, Jacob Beha, Matthew Beha, and Thomas Foulsham were required to attend before the magistrates, when the proceedings were deferred until the 18th, the persons named protesting against the course adopted by the Bench, and urging that no charge had at present been preferred against them. Another adjournment took place until the 25th, when Mr. Serjeant Ballantine appeared for the prosecution, and preferred a charge of conspiracy against Canon Dalton and the Behas. The boy Vansittart gave evidence, and, in cross-examination by Mr. Woollett, counsel for the defence, admitted that he had told “a tissue of lies,” and that the main points of his story were entirely invented by himself. The magistrates dismissed the case, but expressed the opinion that the conduct of Canon Dalton was exceedingly reprehensible in not advising the lad to return to his father.

18.—Died at his residence, at Thorpe, General Sir Robert J. Harvey, C.B., K.T.S., Knight Commander of the Order of St. Bento d’Avis, F.R.S., F.A.S. Sir Robert, who was in his 75th year, saw much active service during his military career. He was present at the battles of the Douro and Busaco, the battle of Salamanca, the siege of Burgos, and at Vittoria, the Pyrenees (where he was wounded in the thigh by a musket shot), Nivelle, Nive, Orthes, and Toulouse. The long-protracted war having been brought to a close in 1815 by the crowning victory at Waterloo, on the anniversary of which he died, he returned to Norwich and became an acting partner in the bank of Harveys and Hudson, and was head of the firm at the time of his death. He was a magistrate and a Deputy Lieutenant of Norfolk, president of the Norwich Union Life Office and the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, chairman of the General Reversionary Interest Society in London, and founder of several other important institutions of a kindred character. In politics he was a Conservative, but took no prominent part in local affairs. Sir Robert married a daughter of Mr. Robert Harvey, of Walton, Suffolk, a distant relative, and was succeeded by his eldest son, Mr. R. J. H. Harvey. The will of the deceased was proved on February 21st, 1861, when the personalty was sworn under £350,000. “Mr. R. J. H. Harvey has purchased all his brother’s (Mr. E. K. Harvey’s) interest under the will, so that he is now in possession of the whole of the real and personal property of his late father, subject to Lady Harvey’s life interest in the Mousehold estates and to the annuities named in the will.”

19.—At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, it was agreed, “That the Lords of the Treasury having sanctioned the sale to the New Street Company of the property required by them belonging to the Corporation for the sum of £3,260, and having required to be informed of the purpose to which the Corporation propose to apply such purchase-money, this Council agrees, with the sanction of the Lords of the Treasury, to apply £2,000 towards the making of the new street, which, on its completion, will be vested in the Corporation, and, the remaining £1,260 towards the widening of the present approach to the Cattle Market by Rose Lane.”

30.—The Channel Fleet, under the command of Admiral Sir C. Fremantle, K.C.B., arrived in Yarmouth Roads. Since the year 1814 no two ships of the line had been moored at the same time off Yarmouth. The fleet consisted of nine ships of the line, two frigates, a corvette, and a tender. The Mayor and Corporation of the borough waited upon the Admiral and invited the officers to a ball, but orders came for the fleet to sail early on the morning of July 2nd.

JULY.

9.—Mousehold Rifle Range was used for the first time by the Norwich Volunteers. The first prize-meeting took place on September 17th, when there were twelve competitors from the city and twenty-four from the county.

23.—The Donegal Militia left Yarmouth.

27.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Chief Baron Pollock and a special jury, an action, Gillings v. Manders, was tried. The plaintiff was a carpenter at Yarmouth, and the defendant the proprietor of a travelling menagerie. One of the attractions of the show was the performance of a Zulu named Maccomo, who was styled a “Lion King,” and fired off pistols and carbines in a cage containing half a dozen lions and lionesses. In a performance given at Yarmouth, Maccomo, instead of firing his pistol to the top of the cage, discharged it among the spectators, and the wad entering the plaintiff’s eyes destroyed it. Muccomo said it was the result of an accident. One of his lions attacked him in a fit of temper, and the trigger, catching in the beast’s mane, was prematurely discharged. The jury found for the plaintiff, damages £150.

31.—In the Norwich Episcopal Consistory Court, Mr. Chancellor Evans gave judgment in a protracted case, Archdeacon Bouverie v. the Rev. W. L. Barnes. The suit was instituted by the Archdeacon of Norfolk, against the rector of Knapton, for procurations for the years 1856–57–58–59. The plaintiff alleged, in his libels, that he was entitled to receive from the rector the sum of 7s. 7½d., due at Michaelmas every year, by reason of his visiting, of his archidiaconal dignity, or by custom. Mr. Barnes required the Archdeacon to prove such parts of his case as were not admitted, and, further, he said that, supposing the case as stated in the libels were proved, the Archdeacon was not entitled to be paid his procurations for the years 1857–58–59, because he did not in those years hold a parochial visitation at Knapton. The Court decreed in favour of the Archdeacon, with costs, and Mr. Barnes gave notice that he should appeal against the judgment. No further proceedings, however, were taken.

AUGUST.

27.—Died at Hampstead Marshall, Newbury, Berks., the Right Hon. Louisa, Dowager Countess of Craven, aged 78. She was a daughter of Mr. John Brunton, manager of Norwich Theatre, and half a century before her death was a favourite actress upon the Norwich and the London stage. She married the Earl of Craven in 1807, and of the marriage there were three sons and a daughter.

28.—The first festival of the associated choirs belonging to the Norfolk and Suffolk Church Choral Association, established in October, 1859, was hold at Norwich Cathedral.

30.—Died at her residence in Kentish Town, aged 61, Elizabeth, widow of Frederick Yates, formerly of the Adelphi Theatre. She was a daughter of John Brunton, the younger, of Norwich and a niece of the Dowager Countess of Craven. She made her début at King’s Lynn, in the character of Desdemona, and her first appearance in London at Covent Garden Theatre, on Sept. 12th, 1817, as Letitia Hardy. At Covent Garden she continued to play leading high comedy until 1824, when she married Mr. Frederick Yates, who died in 1842, leaving an only son, born in 1831. After the death of her husband, Mrs. Yates remained at the Adelphi with Mr. Webster, played for one season at the Lyceum with Madame Vestris, and finally retired from the stage in 1849.

SEPTEMBER.

17.—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, with an evening performance of “The Creation.” The morning performances were as follow: On the 19th, the “Dettingen Te Deum” and “The Last Judgment”; on the 20th, “Abraham” and “As the hart pants”; and on the 21st “The Messiah.” Miscellaneous programmes were performed on the evenings of the 19th and 20th. The principal vocalists were Madame Clara Novello (her farewell appearance), Mdlle. Titiens (her first appearance), Madame Weiss, Miss Palmer, Madame Borghi Mamo (her first appearance), Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Giulini, Mr. Willye Cooper, Mr. Santley, Mr. Weiss, Signor Belletti; solo pianoforte, Miss Arabella Goddard; leaders of the band, Mr. Sainton and Mr. H. Blagrove; solo violon-cello, Signor Piatti; organist, Mr. Harcourt; chorus master, Mr. J. F. Hill; conductor, Mr. Benedict. A “fancy dress ball” was announced for the evening of the 21st. “Only three individuals appeared in fancy dress—costumes which, from their quality, would have far more fitted a masquerade at the Baronial Hall than an elegant assembly like that of Friday evening. The wearers of them evidently felt ill at ease, and, after enduring the rather marked observation that they attracted for some time, were glad to call a fly and take their departure.” The total receipts of the Festival amounted to £5,095 16s., and the disbursements to £4,179 12s. 1d.

18.—The Earl of Leicester, as Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk, and Major-General Wood, C.B., reviewed 1,200 Volunteers of the city and county on Mousehold Heath, Norwich.

20.—Prince Jerome Bonaparte, with his suite, consisting of an aide-de-camp and six members of the French Ministry, visited Gressenhall Workhouse and made particular enquiries into the management of the institution.

28.—Died at Upper Harley Street, London, in his 85th year, Mr. Charles Lombe, of Great Melton. He was a son of Dr. Beevor, of Norwich, and succeeded to the entailed estate on the death of his nephew, Mr. Edward Lombe, son of the first Mr. Lombe. Mr. Charles Lombe was succeeded by Mr. Edward Evans, eldest son of Mr. T. B. Evans, formerly of Norwich. (See November 10th.)

30.—The headquarters of the 10th Hussars, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Baker, arrived at the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich.

OCTOBER.

10.—Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kean gave a farewell performance at Norwich Theatre, prior to their departure for America. “One of the largest and most fashionable audiences which have ever assembled at the Theatre was brought together, at twice the ordinary playhouse prices in Norwich.” Mr. Kean appeared as Sir Walter Amyott, and Mrs. Kean as Lady Amyott, in “The Wife’s Secret.” On the 13th they performed in “Louis XI.,” and afterwards appeared at Yarmouth Theatre.

10.—An inquest was held at the Bethlehem Hospital, London, on the body of Anthony Abel, a criminal lunatic, who had been removed from Norwich after being acquitted of a charge of murder on the ground of insanity. He had been an inmate of the establishment since June 18th, 1817. When 25 years of age he was indicted for the murder of his uncle near Thetford. “For many years he was considered so violent and dangerous that he was confined in a strong room, and under the old régime then in use in the establishment, he had a strong belt and gloves, and was put into irons.”

22.—Mr. George Dawson lectured at the Free Library, Norwich, on “Pepys’ Diary.”

—Norwich Theatre was opened for a brief season by Mr. Charles Dillon and Miss Gomersal.

24.—Mr. Henry Villebois, master of the Norfolk Fox Hounds, was presented with his portrait, subscribed for by 400 gentlemen, “in appreciation of his untiring and successful efforts to promote field sports in the county of Norfolk.” Lord Sondes presided at the dinner held at the Town Hall, Lynn, and presented the portrait, which was painted by F. Grant, R.A.

29.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the resignations of Aldermen Sir W. Foster and Gibson were accepted, and Mr. R. J. H. Harvey and Mr. Fred Brown were elected to fill the vacancies. “The abolition of political ascendancy in the Town Council has been accomplished by the general consent of the influential men of each party, and duplicate agreements have been signed by at least three-fourths of the Corporation. To the Mayor (Mr. J. H. Tillett) belongs the honour of having taken the initiative in this laudable effort.”

NOVEMBER.

3.—A description was published of an iron lighthouse, completed by Messrs. Barnard, Bishop, and Barnards, of the Norfolk Iron Works, Norwich, for the Brazilian Government. It was designed by Messrs. Bramwell and Reynolds, of Westminster, for erection on the island of Abrolhos, on the coast of Brazil. Made in sections, it was temporarily erected by the riverside near St. George’s Bridge. The tower was circular in form, and constructed of 144 iron plates. Its base was 17 ft. in diameter, it was 46 ft. in height, and the lantern at the summit was 16 ft. high.

—A fearful boiler explosion occurred on the steamship Tonning, off Yarmouth, by which eight persons were blown out of the vessel and never again seen, three subsequently died, and several were seriously injured. The Tonning was an iron vessel of 734 tons register, belonging originally to the North of Europe Steam Navigation Company, and was afterwards employed in the conveyance of cattle and passengers between England and the Continent.

9.—Mr. W. J. Utten Browne was elected Mayor, and Dr. Dalrymple appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.*—“The Queen has been pleased to grant unto Edward Evans, of Great Melton and of Bylaugh, clerk, her Royal licence and authority that he may, in compliance with a proviso contained in the will of his great uncle, Sir John Lombe, henceforth take and use the surname of Lombe only, and use and bear the arms of Lombe in lieu of his present surname and arms of Evans.”

—*“Mr. George Allen, of St. Stephen’s, has introduced to Norwich the manufacture of elastic cloth, a fine material which has hitherto only been made in the West of England.”

17.—During a strong gale from the n.n.w., several vessels lying off Yarmouth parted from their anchors and were driven ashore and wrecked. Several lives were lost.

DECEMBER.

1.—A gunpowder explosion occurred at the shop of Mr. Marrison, gun maker, Little Orford Street, Norwich. The entire shop front was wrecked, as also was that of the adjoining shop, occupied by Mr. Frankland, photographer and dealer in art materials. Two lives were lost. Mrs. Dady, sister of Mr. Frankland, was sitting in a room over Mr. Marrison’s shop, and was dashed by the force of the explosion to the ceiling. She fell through the chasm in the floor to the burning ruins beneath, where she was fearfully injured. Charles Hill, a shop boy in the employment of Mr. Marrison, was killed outright, and terribly mangled. The force of the explosion shattered the windows of the Bell Hotel and of other houses in the vicinity. At the Norwich Assizes on March 26th, 1861, before Chief Baron Pollock, Mr. Marrison brought an action against the London Union Fire Office, for the recovery of £300 under a policy of insurance on his stock and furniture. The plaintiff had been offered and had refused £100 in settlement of the claim. The company then proved that the plaintiff had kept more gunpowder on his premises than was allowed by the terms of his contract, whereupon the judge ordered a non-suit.

3.—Died at Brighton, in his 61st year, Capt. Frederick Loftus, formerly of the 17th Lancers, youngest son of General and Lady Elizabeth Loftus, and grandson of George, first Marquis Townshend and Charlotte, Baroness De Ferrars and Compton. His remains were interred at Rainham, on December 11th.

5.—The suit, Gurney v. Gurney and Taylor, came before the Divorce Court, Westminster. The husband sought dissolution of marriage, on the ground of misconduct by the wife. A petition had been presented for the settlement of property then vested in the wife in favour of the children, the issue of the marriage, and the Solicitor-General applied for a rule nisi calling on the respondent, Mrs. Gurney, to show cause why a plea or a pleading in the nature of or intended to be a plea should not be taken off the file, and why the petition for settlement should not be treated as unanswered or unopposed. Sir C. Cresswell granted a rule nisi. Evidence was given in the case on January 22nd, 1861, and the decree was made absolute on May 22nd.

11.—In the Vice-Chancellor’s Court was heard the action, Berney v. the Norfolk and Eastern Counties Railway Company. By an agreement dated June 6th, 1843, the plaintiff sold certain land to the Norwich and Yarmouth Railway Company, and it was provided that such company should establish and for ever maintain a station in connection with their railway at Reedham, on part of the land sold to them by plaintiff. Nothing was said in the agreement in reference to stopping trains at the station. In 1844 the Norwich and Yarmouth railway was completed, and a station was constructed in accordance with the agreement, and called the Barney Arms Station, at which certain trains stopped. In 1845 the Norwich and Yarmouth Company was incorporated with the Norfolk Railway Company, and trains continued to stop at the station until 1850, when the Norfolk Company discontinued the practice. The plaintiff thereupon instituted this suit, praying for a specific performance of the agreement of June, 1843, and an injunction to restrain the Norfolk Company from permitting the trains on their railway to pass the Berney Arms Station without stopping thereat, which was, in effect, to compel the company to stop the trains at that station. The motion for the injunction did not come on, in consequence of an arrangement whereby the Norfolk Company agreed to stop at Berney Arms Station one train from Norwich and one from Yarmouth on every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. The Norfolk Railway was now worked by the Eastern Counties Railway on an agreement dated in 1854, which had received the sanction of the Legislature. The Eastern Counties Company were then made parties to the suit. Although the trains then stopped in a manner satisfactory to the plaintiff, there was no security that they would continue to do so. The Vice-Chancellor said there must be a specific performance of the agreement of June, 1843, and an order that one train from Norwich and one from Yarmouth should stop at Berney Arms Station on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday in every week; but he should also order that each of the companies should pay £100 to the plaintiff by way of costs. But for the plaintiff’s forbearance in this respect, it would be difficult to say whether the Eastern Counties Company would have escaped from the litigation with having nothing else to pay than the plaintiff’s ordinary costs.

14.—The Norwich Operatic Union gave its second concert, at St. Andrew’s Hall. The programme included “Norma” and selections from “Il Trovatore.” The principal vocalists were Mdlle. Paripa, Mdlle. Vaneri, Mr. Santley, and Mr. Swift. Mr. Bunnett, B.M., conducted.

16.—The first of a series of special services was conducted at Norwich Theatre, by the Rev. T. B. Stephenson, Wesleyan minister. “The boxes were reserved for the most respectable-looking, and the unmitigated plebs. were relegated to the pit and gallery. The occupants of the gallery conducted themselves as the gods usually do, and were rebuked by the preacher, who took up his position on the stage in front of the drop scene, surrounded by a number of persons of both sexes.”

25.—This was the coldest Christmas that had been experienced for at least a century. “At the Literary Institute at Norwich the minimum registered was 3 degrees above zero. At Costessey the register was 7 degrees below zero, or 39 degrees lower than the point at which water freezes. A peculiarity of the temperature on Christmas-day was the fact of its being colder in the morning than during the night. The coldest register was between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m., and there was scarcely any appreciable variation till after two o’clock. Ice was about four inches thick.”

26.—The pantomime at Norwich Theatre was entitled, “Cinderella, or the Little Glass Slipper and the Fairy Godmother from the Realms of Golden Palms.” Wombwell’s Menagerie was stationed on the Castle Meadow, and performances were given at the Royal Crystal Palace Amphitheatre, Golden Ball Street, under the management of Messrs. Emidy and Moffatt. The lessee was Mr. C. Testar.

27.—Died at 36, Berkeley Square, London, in his 57th year, Dr. Edward Rigby. He was the eldest son of the celebrated Dr. Rigby, of Norwich, and was educated at the Grammar School, under Dr. Valpy. He graduated at Edinburgh, and subsequently commenced practice in London, where he gradually raised himself to the very highest branches of his profession.

1861.

JANUARY.

5.—At the annual meeting of the Norfolk Agricultural Association, held at the Swan Hotel, Norwich, Mr. Clare Sewell Read moved that the annual show for 1861 be held at East Dereham, instead of at Swaffham. This effort to abolish the system of holding the exhibitions alternately at Norwich and Swaffham was defeated by 19 votes to 15.

6.—The frost continued with unusual intensity, and on this day snowstorms, which covered the ground to the depth of twelve inches, occurred. On the 10th a public meeting was held at Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Utten Browne), at which a fund was inaugurated to relieve the distresses of the poor. In a few days the sum of £4,139 12s. 11d. was subscribed. The river was frozen from Norwich to Yarmouth, and on the 16th a large party of ladies and gentlemen assembled on the ice on Breydon and “skated” quadrilles. The frost continued for more than five weeks, during the whole of which period the ground was covered with snow.

11.—Walsingham Quarter Sessions were held for the last time. Sir Willoughby Jones, who presided, informed the Grand Jury that the Sessions would be removed part to Swaffham and part to Norwich, “on account of the expenses being so great in proportion to the number of prisoners for trial.” On March lst the Bridewell ceased to be used as a house of correction, and the prisoners were removed to Norwich Castle.

16.—Died, aged 85, Mr. Kinnebrook, for many years a proprietor of the “Norwich Mercury.”

18.—Died, in his 60th year, Mr. Thomas Lound, for 35 years confidential clerk at King Street Old Brewery, Norwich. “As an artist, but principally as a painter in water-colours, he had maintained a high reputation for many years. The local river and rural scenery afforded materials for a large proportion of his works. He occasionally painted street scenes and monastic ruins, and of late years he made excursions into Wales and Yorkshire, bringing home with him a vast variety of subjects.” In addition to his own collection, he left many water-colour drawings by Bright, Thirtle, Cox, and others, some of them of considerable value.

26.—At Norwich Castle, James Blomfield Rush, aged 30, “eldest son of the Rush,” was committed for trial on the charge of breaking into the dwelling-house of Mr. Abraham Cannell, farmer, Cringleford, on the night of January 12th. At the Norfolk Assizes, on March 27th, before Chief Baron Pollock, the prisoner was acquitted. At subsequent dates he was twice acquitted for housebreaking, but at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions on March 11th, 1862, was sentenced to four years’ penal servitude for breaking into a house at North Tuddenham.

FEBRUARY.

13.—In the Court of Queen’s Bench, before the Lord Chief Justice and a special jury, an action was brought by Mr. Costerton, solicitor, of Yarmouth, against Sir Edmund Lacon, M.P., for a scandalous attack made upon the plaintiff by the defendant in the course of an election speech. The jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages 40s.

25.—Judgment was given by the Barons of the Exchequer in the cause Morant v. Chamberlin. It was an action between the Corporation of Yarmouth and Mr. G. D. Palmer, who claimed a right to a portion of the south end of the public quays. Judgment was for the plaintiff, damages £5 5s. “This decision thus settles this long-pending dispute, now nearly three years from its commencement, and decides the right of the Corporation to the soil of the quays and the right of the public to the free use of the same without any of the inconveniences which for so long a time prevented the proper enjoyment of the part in dispute. The verdict gives the plaintiffs the costs of this heavy litigation, except on two unimportant issues. The defendant will have to pay somewhere about £2,800.”

MARCH.

16.—On this date was published the announcement that the First Norfolk Mounted Rifle Volunteer Corps had been attached to the City of Norwich Rifle Volunteer Corps for administrative purposes. The mounted corps, which numbered 50, was commanded by Capt. F. Hay Gurney. The uniform consisted of scarlet tunic with blue facings, white cross belt, white breeches, and Napoleon boots. The head-dress was a busby with blue bag; the forage-cap was blue trimmed with white.

16.—Intelligence was received at Norwich of the death, of the Duchess of Kent. On the 17th (Sunday) special references were made to the melancholy event at the religious services in the city, and at intervals the age of the deceased was tolled upon the muffled bells of the Cathedral and St. Peter Mancroft church. The Town Council, on April 5th, adopted an address of sympathy with the Queen.

—The Surlingham estate was sold by Messrs. Butcher, at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, for £16,895.

26.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Chief Baron Pollock and a special jury, was tried the libel action, Cufaude v. Cory. The plaintiff and defendant had taken different sides at the election of a vestry clerk at Yarmouth, and the libel was contained in a handbill issued during the contest by the defendant, who referred to the printed statement of the income and expenditure of the Guardians, to which body the plaintiff was clerk, as “cooked,” and left the sum of £779 unaccounted for. The special jury returned a verdict for plaintiff, damages £500. In the Court of Queen’s Bench, on April 17th, Mr. Lush moved for a rule to set aside the verdict, on the ground of excessive damages. A rule was granted. Mr. Cufaude subsequently consented to a reduction of damages from £500 to £300, “much against the advice of his counsel.”

APRIL.

2.—The High Sheriff of Norfolk (Mr. J. T. Mott) delivered a lecture at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, on “The Paston Letters.”

10.—The 10th Hussars Steeplechases took place at Crostwick.

23.—A vessel, named the Harmony, built by Messrs. Fellows and Son, of Yarmouth, for the Moravian mission in Labrador, was launched.

MAY.

18.—The census returns were published on this date. In Norwich the number of inhabited houses was 17,012; uninhabited, 786; building, 97. The population consisted of 33,717 males, and 40,697 females; total, 74,414.

20.—A serious military riot took place at Yarmouth, between men of the Royal Artillery and of the East Norfolk Militia. Belts and stones were freely used. A party of 200 Artillerymen, armed with swords and knives, issued from the arsenal, and were going to the assistance of their comrades, when Mr. R. Steward, by persuasion and threats, kept the greater portion from proceeding further. Officers of both corps exerted themselves to quell the disturbance, and strong pickets were stationed at the bridge, to prevent the Artillery from entering Yarmouth and the Militia from crossing to Southtown.

JUNE.

13.—The Norwich Grammar School athletic sports were held for the first time.

18.—A memorial was presented to the Norwich Town Council, by farmers, graziers, dealers, &c., praying the Corporation to enlarge the Cattle Market. The Market Committee recommended the Council to adopt in its entirety a plan for executing the work, at a cost not exceeding £20,000. This scheme involved the demolition of the notorious locality known as Pump Street.

20.—Mr. and Mrs. Ringer, of Walcot Green, near Diss, left their house in charge of a servant, named Susan Garrod, and on their return in the evening found her suffering from several gunshot wounds in the head and face, inflicted by a man named Charles Sheldrake, a returned convict, employed as a groom and gardener by Mr. Ringer. Sheldrake, after committing the deed, secreted himself in a wood. On being called on by the police to surrender, he placed the muzzle of a double-barrelled gun to his mouth and blew out his brains. At the inquest the jury returned a verdict of felo de se, and the Coroner gave a warrant for the interment of the body between the hours of nine and twelve o’clock. “The body was accordingly buried at ten o’clock at night, under one of the paths in the churchyard.”

24.—The London Royal English Opera Company commenced a week’s engagement at Norwich Theatre. The repertory included “four new successful operas never before performed in Norwich,” namely, Balfe’s “The Rose of Castille,” Loder’s “The Night Dancers,” Macfarren’s “Robin Hood,” and Balfe’s “Satanella, or the Power of Love.” In addition to the above-named works, “Il Trovatore,” “Martha,” and “Maritana” were produced. The artistes included Miss Fanny Ternan, Miss Bronte, Miss Angel, Miss Fanny Reeves, Mr. Edmund Rosenthal, Mr. J. Manley, Mr. E. D. Corri, Mr. Oliver Summers, and Mr. Elliott Galer. Mr. W. Meyer Lutz was the conductor. The performances received very inadequate public support. The company revisited Norwich for six nights, commencing on September 9th.

—Herr Kolisch, the celebrated chess-player, contested, at the Rampant Horse Hotel, Norwich, 13 games simultaneously against some of the best players in the neighbourhood. He won eight games, lost three, and two were drawn.

28.—Died, at Feniton Court, Devonshire, the Right Hon. Sir John Patteson. The second son of the Rev. Henry Patteson, and nephew of Mr. John Patteson, who for some time represented Norwich in Parliament, he was born in that city on February 11th, 1790. He was educated at Eton and King’s College, Cambridge, and, after talking his degree, removed to London and entered at the Middle Temple. On being called to the Bar, he went the Northern Circuit. “He had been only nine years a barrister, he had not a silk gown, he had never led a cause or once addressed a jury,” when he was appointed to the Queen’s Bench, and from that time to February 11th, 1852, continued to discharge the duties of his high office with a reputation for industry, learning, and integrity.

JULY.

20.*—“The first number of the Norfolk Chronicle was published on the 18th of July, 1761. We are, therefore, as journalists, exactly 100 years old. . . . The difference between the newspapers of the last and present century is, perhaps, more conspicuous in the quantity of space occupied than in any other respect, and the present sheet is at least four times the size of our first publication.”

27.*—“The repairs at St. Gregory’s church, Norwich, the interior of which has been undergoing general restoration, have brought to light an interesting fresco, representing the renowned fight between St. George and the Dragon, a subject which has a local association, St. George being the titular saint of the city and patron of a once flourishing civic company. The painting, which, in all probability, is of a date of the middle of the fifteenth century, was discovered on the removal of the organ at the west end of the north aisle, for the purpose of cleaning the wall. The figures are life-size, and the colours and drawing exceedingly good.”

—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Chief Justice Erle and a special jury, a libel action, Lane v. the Yarmouth Free Press and Printing Company, Limited, was tried. Damages were laid at £300. The declaration alleged that the defendants published in a paper called the “Yarmouth Independent,” certain reflections upon the plaintiff in his capacity as collector of market tolls. The defendants contended that, at the request of and by agreement with the plaintiff, they had inserted in the newspaper a paragraph explaining the alleged libel, and had exonerated him from the imputations made against his character, and plaintiff had accepted it as satisfaction. The case ended with the withdrawal of a juror.

AUGUST.

1.—Died at the residence of his son-in-law, 48, Elgin Crescent, Notting Hill, in his 84th year, Philip John Money, formerly captain of the 17th Regiment. He was a magistrate of Norwich, and served the office of Mayor in 1839.

2.—The celebrated tight-rope walker, Blondin, made his first appearance at Norwich. The rope was fixed at an altitude of about 60 feet, in a field on Newmarket Road. “It is a very fortunate circumstance for M. Blondin that he crossed Niagara and had the Prince of Wales for a spectator, for it has added a much greater interest to has performances than they would otherwise have acquired, and even, if we may judge from what we saw here, they deserved.”

4.—Mr. Edward Casson, aged 33, medical superintendent of the County Lunatic Asylum at Thorpe St. Andrew, committed suicide by poisoning himself.

8.—Holy Trinity church, Norwich, was consecrated by the Lord Bishop of the Diocese. “The ceremony should have taken place three weeks previously, but at the eleventh hour the Bishop requested that a capital fund of about £300 should be provided prior to the consecration. As the committee were then about £1,000 in debt, it was felt to be indiscreet to increase their risk, and consequently it was determined to delay the opening of the church until they had received nearly all that they required. In less than three weeks more than £1,200 had been subscribed out of the £1,300 then supposed to be needed.” The consecration was attended by the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Utten Browne) and several members of the Corporation.

29.—A troop of the 15th Hussars left Norwich, en route to York; the remainder of the regiment marched on September 3rd.

SEPTEMBER.

12.—A great review of the whole of the Volunteer Companies in the county and city, with the Norwich Mounted Volunteers and the Yarmouth Artillery, was held at Holkham Park, by Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, Bart., K.C.B. This was the first occasion on which the corps had been brigaded since their formation. The review was fixed for eleven o’clock, but in consequence of a breakdown in the railway arrangements, and the consequent detention of companies on their way to the rendezvous, the parade was not formed until 2.15 p.m. The troops numbered upwards of 1,700, and were divided into two brigades, commanded respectively by Lieut.-Col. Custance and Major the Hon. F. Walpole, West Norfolk Militia. The railway company displayed the same incompetency in conveying the corps from Holkham as in taking them there, and the Norwich men did not reach the city until six o’clock on the morning of the 13th.

28.—The headquarters of the 5th Dragoon Guards arrived at Norwich Cavalry Barracks, from Aldershot. “It is known in the service as the ‘Green Horse,’ being the only cavalry regiment which wears green facings.”

OCTOBER.

13.—Died, Sir William Cubitt, the eminent engineer. Born in Norfolk, in 1785, he was apprenticed to a joiner, and, becoming a very superior handicraftsman, he rapidly took a prominent position as a maker of agricultural implements. Within a short time he became a millwright, and about 1807 invented self-regulating windmill sails, and ultimately became connected with Messrs. Ransome and Son, of Ipswich. He was the inventor also of the treadmill for gaols and houses of correction. His reputation increasing his engagements, it became necessary for him to remove to the Metropolis in 1826, and after that period there was scarcely a port, harbour, dock, navigable river, or canal in the United Kingdom with which he was not in some way engaged. The South-Eastern Railway from London to Dover was designed and executed by him. He undertook the bold project of blowing away the face of the Round Down cliff, which he successfully executed by exploding 18,000 lbs. of gunpowder in one blast, and precipitated one million tons of chalk cliff into the sea. The great landing-stage at Liverpool, the deck of which was nearly one acre in extent, was a unique example of his work. As consulting engineer of the Great Northern Railway, he materially contributed to the production of one of the best lines in England. One of his last public works was the superintendence of the construction of the palace for the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park in 1851, which he undertook at the pressing instance of his coadjutors on the Royal Commission, and his services were recognised in a marked manner by the Queen and the Prince Consort.

22.—The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. W. J. Utten Browne) delivered a lecture to the members of the parochial library, Lakenham, on “The Times of King Charles the First.”

24.—Died, suddenly, of apoplexy, at his residence, West Parade, Earlham Road, Norwich, in his 46th year, Mr. Edward Garrod, editor of the Norfolk Chronicle.

28.—Charles Dickens gave the former of two readings at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich. The work selected was “David Copperfield.” On the 29th he read “Nicholas Nickleby at Mr. Squeer’s School,” and the Trial scene from the “Pickwick Papers.” “Our opinion is,” the Norfolk Chronicle remarked, “that Mr. Dickens as a reader fails to do justice to himself as an author.”

NOVEMBER.

6.—Norwich Theatre was opened, under the management of Mr. George Owen. Mr. Sidney, however, retained the lesseeship.

8.—Died at Hingham, in her 100th year, Mrs. Rebecca Houchen.

9.—The new Corn Hall at Norwich was opened for business. The contractors for the building were Messrs. Ling and Balls, of Norwich, and for the roof Messrs. Barnard, Bishop, and Barnards. The total cost was about £8,000. The work was executed from the designs of Mr. Barry, of Norwich, and Mr. H. Butcher, of 37, Bedford Row, London; and the roofs were adapted and carried into detail from the design of the architects by Mr. E. A. Cowper, C.E., of Westminster. The first brick of the new building was laid on May 1st, 1861.

—Mr. John Oddin Taylor was elected Mayor, and Mr. Addison John Cresswell appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.—Died at North Runcton Rectory, in his 85th year, the Rev. James Cumming, M.A., professor of chemistry in the University of Cambridge, to which office he was elected in 1815. He was a Fellow of Trinity College, and had held the living of North Runcton for more than forty years.

22.—In the Court of the Lords Justices in Lincoln’s Inn, a petition was presented by Major-General Charles Ash Windham, Capt. Windham, the Marquis of Bristol, Lord Alfred Hervey, M.P., Lord Listowel, and others, praying that a writ de lunatico inquirendo might issue against William Frederick Windham. In support of the petition, affidavits were read which alleged a variety of eccentricities and extravagances on the part of William Frederick Windham, and laid great stress upon a marriage he had contracted with one Agnes Ann Rogers, better known by the name of Agnes Willoughby. The judges, after hearing the affidavits on the other side, considered that a prima facie case had been made out, and allowed the prayer of the petition. On December 4th, in the Vice-Chancellor’s Court, a motion was heard for the committal of Mr. James Bowen May for contempt of court, in having, during the infancy of William Frederick Windham, and without the knowledge of his guardian or the sanction of the Court, drawn or sided and abetted in drawing the said William Frederick Windham into a promise of marriage with Agues Rogers or Willoughby, in which promises had been made of settlements or dispositions of his property in her favour. The motion was refused, with costs. On December 11th the Court of Chancery granted leave to William Frederick Windham to raise as a mortgage charge on his property the sum of £2,000, in order that he might defend himself before the Commission. The Commission held its first sitting in the Court of Exchequer, Westminster, on December 16th, under the presidency of Mr. Samuel Warren, Q.C., one of the Masters in Lunacy. Mr. Windham was the only son of Mr. Howe Windham, who died in 1854, and the great-grandson of Mr. Windham, the great politician. He became of age on August 9th, 1861, when he succeeded to the Felbrigg Hall estate, worth upwards of £1,200 a year, and to other properties in which he had a life interest, and which, in the year 1869, would yield him £9,000 a year more. During his minority he was under the guardianship of his uncle, General Windham, and of his mother, Lady Sophia Hervey. He married a woman of loose character, upon whom he bestowed jewellery of the value of £1,200 or £1,400, and upon whom he settled a present annuity of £800, with a further annuity of £1,500 contingent upon his coming in to the whole of his property in 1869. It was also alleged that he sold, in a wild and reckless way, and upon terms of the utmost disadvantage, the whole of the timber, ornamental as well as useful, on the Felbrigg estate. The inquiry lasted thirty-four days, and upwards of 150 witnesses were examined. It is said to have cost something like £160 per hour, or nearly £3 per minute, for all the leading talent of the Bar of England was engaged in the case. On January 30th, 1862, the jury returned the following verdict: “That the said Mr. William Frederick Windham, at the time of taking this inquisition, was a person of sound mind, so as to be sufficient for the government of himself, his manners, his messuages, his lands, his tenements, his goods, and his chattels.” The moment the verdict was uttered a loud and enthusiastic cheer rose from the audience, and was repeated again and again. When Mr. Windham left the Court he was received outside with the shouts of an admiring crowd, who almost carried him to the cab in which he drove away, amid a deafening cheer. In the Court of Equity, on April 23rd, 1862, the Lords Justices refused to exonerate the alleged lunatic from the payment of the whole of the costs, amounting to £20,000, consequent upon the enquiry.

30.*—“The portrait of Mr. J. H. Gurney, M.P., President of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, has this week been placed on the walls of that institution. It was painted by F. Grant, R.A., at the cost of 200 guineas.”

DECEMBER.

7.—Died, in his 73rd year, Mr. Charles Turner, who was Sheriff of Norwich in 1824, elected Alderman in 1832, and was Mayor in 1834. He was the last Mayor who served the full term of office under the old Corporation.

9.—A six miles race for £50 was run at the Green Hill Gardens, Norwich, between Deerfoot, the celebrated Seneca Indian, Brighten, the “Norwich Milk Boy,” and Long, of Middlesbrough. This was one of the so-called matches run during a provincial tour by these pedestrians. Deerfoot wore his Indian costume, decorated with shells and feathers. He stood 5 ft. 11 in., was of muscular frame, but not well knitted, and his limbs were long and loose, contrasting badly with the neat, compact figure of the “Milk Boy.” Among the spectators of the “match,” which was, of course, won by the Indian, were the Duke of Wellington and Sir Samuel Bignold.

15.—Intelligence was received in Norwich of the death of the Prince Consort. Early on the following morning (Monday) the Mayor requested the citizens to partially close their business establishments until after the funeral. On the day of the funeral (December 23rd), business was entirely suspended, and the Mayor and Corporation, accompanied by the Rifle Volunteers, attended service at the Cathedral. The Nonconformist bodies held a united service at St. Andrew’s Hall, at which the Rev. John Alexander delivered an address. Addresses of condolence with the Queen were voted by the Norwich Town Council, on December 30th, and by a county meeting, held at the Shirehall, under the presidency of the High Sheriff (Mr. J. T. Mott), on January 18th, 1862.

26.—Mr. George Owen produced the Christmas pantomime, “Puss in Boots,” at the Theatre Royal, Norwich; and Mander’s Royal Menagerie was exhibited on the Castle Meadow. The African “lion tamer,” Maccomo, whilst performing at the latter show, on the 28th, was severely attacked by a young lion, and narrowly escaped with his life.

1862.

JANUARY.

2.—Mr. Thomas Richmond Pinder, head master of Hingham Endowed School, was elected head master of the new Commercial School, built on the site of the old Workhouse, adjoining St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, at the cost of about £1,500. The school was designed by Mr. James S. Benest, architect to the trustees, and built by Messrs. Ling and Balls. It was opened as King Edward the Sixth’s Commercial School, on July 28th.

19.—An alarming fire occurred in the centre wing of Swaffham prison. The inmates of the cells, who were greatly terrified, were safely removed, and afterwards conveyed to Norwich Castle. The roof of the new portion of the prison was completely destroyed, with three looms and a considerable quantity of stock in raw materials and manufactured articles.

28.—Died at Swainsthorpe, Eleanor Harrison, widow, aged 101.

30.—A rifle match, between eleven Norfolk and a like number of Northamptonshire Volunteers, took place at the seat of Earl Spencer, Althorp Park. The teams were under the respective commands of Lord Bury and Earl Spencer. Northamptonshire won by 170 points against 164 made by their opponents. The return match, which took place on the Mousehold Range, Norwich, on September 27th, was also won by Northamptonshire, by 17 points.

FEBRUARY.

1.*—“A private named Thomas Nelson, attached to one of the troops of the 5th Dragoon Guards, now stationed in Norwich, is said to have become the possessor of a fortune of £70,000, besides a fine estate near Liverpool, of the value of £9,000 per annum.”

3.—H.R.H. the Prince of Wales visited Norfolk, “for the purpose of inspecting the Sandringham Hall estate, with the view of purchasing it for shooting purposes, for which it is well adapted.” On the 22nd it was announced that his Royal Highness had concluded the purchase for £220,000, and, it was added, “Norfolk people entertain strong hopes that they shall see a good deal of their future Sovereign.”

15.—The subject of the proposed amalgamation of the Eastern Counties, the Norfolk, the Eastern Union, the East Anglian, and other railways’ communicating with Norwich obtained publicity on this date. The Norwich Town Council, on the 21st, decided to petition Parliament against the Railway Amalgamation Bill, on the ground that the amalgamation was calculated to injuriously affect the citizens by depriving them of the advantages of competition in railway transit.

MARCH.

1.—Died at his house at Charlton, Kent, aged 86, Professor Peter Barlow, F.R.S. He was born in the parish of St. Simon, Norwich, in October, 1776. Related to one of the leading manufacturing families in the city, the Columbines, his early life was passed in their warehouse. He continued there about three years, and during that period acquired, by his own industry, a considerable knowledge of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, navigation, and French. Subsequently he obtained a situation in a school in Essex, and afterwards proceeded to Shipdham, when, the master dying, he succeeded to the school, and married a Shipdham lady. He commenced a regular correspondence with the “Ladies’ Diary,” then under the management of Dr. Hutton, professor of mathematics at Woolwich, whose attention was favourably attracted by the contributions furnished by Mr. Barlow. Dr. Hutton recommended him as candidate, in 1801, for the post of additional master at the Royal Military Academy, and he was successful. In 1811 he published his first work, “The Theory of Numbers,” in 1813, “The Mathematical Dictionary,” and in the same year his “Mathematical Tables.” In 1817 his work, “The Strength of Materials,” was published. In 1819 he turned his attention to magnetic experiments, in which he was very successful in developing the laws of action and in the application of those laws to the correction of a long-standing error in navigation. For this discovery he received several honorary and pecuniary rewards. His “Essay on Magnetic Attraction” was published in 1819.

25.—The new Poor Removal Act came into force. It materially altered the law of settlement, and made new regulations as to the manner in which parishes contributed their share to the common fund charges of the unions.

31.—An accident occurred at a circus building at St. Stephen’s Gates, Norwich, hired by Mace and King, the pugilists, for the purposes of a benefit performance. The rows of seats elevated one above the other and forming the pit were densely crowded with spectators, whose weight broke the frail supports, with the result that the centre of the pit fall with its load of human beings. Many were severely bruised and shaken, and one man, suffering from a broken leg, was removed to the Hospital.

APRIL.

10.—Madame Jenny Lind Goldschmidt appeared at a miscellaneous concert, given at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and on the 11th sang in Haydn’s oratorio, “The Creation.” The other artistes included Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Belletti, Mr. H. Blagrove (solo violin), Signor Patti (solo violoncello), and Mr. Otto Goldschmidt (pianoforte). The chorus for the oratorio was composed of members of the Cathedral choir and of the Norwich Choral Society.

21.—Tom Sayers, “the pugilistic ex-champion,” visited Norwich with his circus, “exhibited his belts, medals, and the diamond ring presented to him by the students of Oxford, and set-to with young Hicks, of Birmingham.” Heenan, the American pugilist, brought a circus to Norwich on September 11th, and “apologised to the spectators for not sparring, as the authorities had forbidden him, and it was only on giving this promise that he was allowed to erect his tent on the Castle Hill.” Mace’s circus visited the city on October 6th. “The spectators were disappointed at the non-appearance of Mace, the magistrates having forbidden him to give an illustration of his noble art.”

MAY.

3.*—“Died last week, at Rackheath, Phœbe Clayburn, at the advanced age of 103 years. She had 22 children, and her eldest son is now living at Bramerton, aged 80 years; her grandchild is 50; her great-grandchild is 20, and her great-great-grandchild is now two years of age.”

4.—The large tract of land known as the Middle Level of the Fens, which had been greatly improved by the construction of the Middle Level Drain, a small river which collected the waters of the district and discharged them into the Ouse near Wiggenhall St. German’s, was inundated, in consequence of a breach in the sluice erected at the point where the two streams joined. The tide, no longer confined to the channel of the Ouse, rushed up the drain, broke through the bank on the west side at two places, and, in a wild torrent, overspread the adjacent lands. Efforts were at once made to strengthen the dams, by placing vast quantities of clinch and gravel at the foot of the piles. On June 20th, a meeting of the owners and occupiers of land was held at the Globe Hotel, Lynn, under the presidency of the Rev. Henry ffolkes, at which resolutions were passed requiring the Middle Level Commissioners to take prompt and efficient measures to prevent the recurrence of such a disaster. It was also agreed that more satisfactory means for redress for damage should be given than were afforded by the Middle Level Act, and that application be made to Parliament for the insertion in the Middle Level Bill then before the House of Lords of necessary provisions for securing both objects. At the Norfolk Assizes, on July 29th, before Lord Chief Justice Cockburn, commenced the long course of litigation resulting from the inundation. Mr. William Mason, lessee of 18 acres of land at Tilney All Saints, within the Marshland Fen district, sued Mr. Wise, clerk to the Middle Level Commissioners, for the recovery of £500 damages sustained through the alleged negligence of the Commissioners in making and maintaining the Middle Level Sluice and Drain. Leave was given to both sides to move in the Common Pleas or Queen’s Bench for the removal of the trial to London. On August 16th it was announced that the expenses incident to the disaster were estimated at about £25,000, to meet which £20,000 had been taken up by way of temporary loan. A second disaster occurred on October 4th. One of the outfall sluices of the Marshland Smeeth and Fen Drain, an important arterial drain running into the Ouse about 200 or 300 yards northward of the ruined Middle Level Sluice, gave way, and again a wide extent of country was submerged. Four hundred navvies were at once set to work to form a dam of many thousands of sacks filled with earth. On the 5th the temporary dam gave way bodily, and the entire mass having been carried a score yards up the drain, sank out of sight. The tidal water having overcome the obstacle, went with a rush and a roar on its work of devastation, carrying with it great quantities of earth and timber. About 1,000 acres were flooded; 4,000 acres were under water before the completion of another temporary dam on the 8th. After that the water was removed by means of huge syphons. On November 10th the Court of Common Pleas refused a rule for the changing of the venue of the trial of the action, Mason v. Wise, from Norfolk to Surrey, and with this decision ended the first stage of the legal proceedings. (See January 31st, 1863.)

5.—The Braham Grand English Opera Company commenced a six nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre, with the performance of “Il Trovatore.” The other operas produced during the engagement included “The Bohemian Girl,” “Robin Hood,” “The Daughter of the Regiment,” “Der Freischutz,” “Cinderella,” and “Lucia Di Lammermoor.” Among the principals were Miss Fanny Ternan, Miss Maria Ternan, Mdlle. A. Kemp, Mr. Brookhouse Bowler, and Mr. Hamilton Braham.

24.—The Norfolk Volunteer Service Association was formed at a meeting held at the Shirehall, Norwich, under the chairmanship of the Lord Lieutenant, who was elected president. Its objects were, “the promotion of rifle shooting and giving permanence to the Volunteer corps throughout the county.” The first prize-meeting was held on the Mousehold Range, Norwich, from September 8th to 11th.

27.—The Channel Squadron, under the command of Rear-Admiral Robert Smart, arrived in Yarmouth Roads, and on June 1st was joined by the St. George, with H.R.H. Prince Alfred on board. The Squadron sailed for the Downs on the 4th.

JUNE.

11.—In the Divorce Court, before Sir C. Cresswell, judgement was given in the action, Burroughs v. Burroughs and Silcock. This was a cross suit. Mrs. Burroughs prayed for the restitution of conjugal rights, and her husband, in his answer, charged her with adultery, and prayed for a judicial separation. In the second case Mr. Burroughs prayed for a dissolution of marriage, on the ground of his wife’s misconduct. The second case had been tried by a common jury on March 6th, 7th, 8th, and 13th, and terminated in a verdict that neither the petitioner, the respondent, nor the co-respondent had been guilty of adultery. His lordship had deferred judgment in the first suit, in order that his opinion might not affect the opinion of the jury in the second suit, which had not then been tried. He now said he thought Mrs. Burroughs had misconducted herself, and he could not order her husband to take her home again. He, therefore, dismissed her petition for restitution. He refused, however, to pronounce a decree of judicial separation, on the ground that as the parties themselves had been examined, he could not treat the husband’s answer as a counter petition.

16.—At Swaffham County Court, a jury was engaged in the trial of an action, Green v. Sayers. The plaintiff, a shoemaker, sought to recover £25 damages for an assault by the defendant, described as “a circus proprietor, but better known as the ex-champion of England.” The case excited great local interest. “The defendant,” it was said, “conducted himself with a degree of modesty, propriety, and decorum that caused no little feeling in his favour.” The assault arose out of a dispute as to the withholding of change alleged to be due to the plaintiff on money tendered for admission to the defendant’s show, and the jury gave a verdict for Green, damages £5.

19.—A great Volunteer review took place at Yarmouth. The first brigade of 910 men was commanded by Lieut.-Col. Astley, Norfolk Artillery; the second (1,230 men) by Lieut.-Col. Sir E. Lacon, Bart., M.P., and the third (350 men) by Lieut.-Col. Custance. The reviewing officer was Col. Guy, C.B., and the proceedings were witnessed by many thousands of spectators.

24.—Died, in the Workhouse of the Loddon and Clavering Union, in her 105th year, Mary, widow of Samuel Lock, of Loddon.

—An extraordinary fight took place between a bull and a stallion, both the property of Mr. James Coker. The animals were grazing in a field near the Chase at King’s Lynn, and became engaged in a deadly combat, which ended in the bull disembowelling the horse with its horns. The stallion was valued at £60.

JULY.

1.—The marriage of H.R.H. Princess Alice and the Grand Duke of Hesse was celebrated throughout the county with great rejoicing. The day was observed at Norwich as a public holiday; at a special meeting of the Town Council a congratulatory address to the Queen was adopted; the Mayor gave a luncheon at St. Andrew’s Hall, and in the evening a firework display was given in the Market Place.

—At the Norwich Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder (Mr. O’Malley, Q.C.), Edward Durrant (27), grocer, surrendered to his bail on the charge of “having by fraud in playing with cards won the sum of 14s., the money of Samuel Boughton, at the Star Inn, Haymarket, Norwich.” There were other counts, charging the defendant with defrauding other persons by the same means. Mr. Serjeant Ballantyne, specially retained, succeeded in obtaining a verdict of not guilty. The Recorder observed: “Well, prisoner, you have had a most merciful jury; that is all I can say.” The defendant was cheered as he left the Court.

9.—The first of the peripatetic shows of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held at East Dereham. “The cautious and timid members of the Norfolk Association who prophesied that so many dark and dreadful events would happen to the society if absolved from her marriage vow which wedded her entirely to Norwich, and Swaffham, must have been pleasantly surprised by the entire success of the Dereham meeting.” So great was the rush to the show-ground that more than once the barrier was broken down. The sum of £230 was taken in admission money, whereas it had never before amounted to £150, and rarely exceeded £80.

17.—Mr. Henry Stevenson, one of the proprietors of the Norfolk Chronicle, was driving through Upper Surrey Street, Norwich, with his wife, when the horse started off at full speed in the direction of All Saints’ church, where the phaeton was upset, and Mrs. Stevenson sustained injuries from which she died an hour afterwards.

27.—Died, in St. John de Sepulchre, Norwich, the Widow Rumsby, aged 100 years.

—Died, in London, Mr. H. L. Styleman le Strange. He was the only son of Mr. Henry Styleman, of Snettisham Hall, where he was born in 1815. Educated at Eton and at Christchurch, Oxford, he travelled, on the completion of his University career, in Egypt, and, returning home in 1836, his majority was celebrated at Hunstanton Hall, the ancient residence of the le Stranges. In 1839 he procured the Royal licence to assume the patronymic surname of le Strange, in addition to that of Styleman, and in the same year married Jamesina Joice Ellen, daughter of Mr. John Stewart, of Balladrum, Inverness, by whom he left issue two sons and three daughters. Mr. le Strange, acceding to the request of the Conservative party, stood for the Western division of the county, and was defeated by a small majority. He left the hustings with the promise that at the next election he would again offer himself; he kept his promise, but eventually withdrew, and retired from politics. He then commenced his great work of painting the roof of Ely Cathedral, on the design and execution of which he bestowed many years of hard toil. At his death the work was about half completed, and he had only recently received recognition of his artistic talents by being appointed a member of a commission for investigating the state of the frescoes in the new Houses of Parliament. Hunstanton church is a monument to his taste and skill. Mr. le Strange was senior co-heir to the baronies of Hastings and Foliot, and co-heir to those of Camoys and Strathbolgie. He had served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk, was a magistrate and deputy lieutenant, and a director of the Lynn and Hunstanton Railway Company.

30.—Mr. Simmons, of Lydney, Gloucestershire, made a balloon ascent from the Orchard Gardens, Norwich, and, after attaining an altitude of 5,000 feet, descended in Spixworth Park. There he lightened the balloon by landing a fellow-passenger, and having re-ascended to the height of 12,000 feet, finally came to earth in Mr. Trafford’s park at Wroxham. Mr. Simmons made another ascent from the Orchard Gardens on September 8th, and descended at Little Plumstead; and after re-ascending, came down among the ruins of St. Benet’s Abbey.

AUGUST.

28.—A cricket match, between twenty-two of Norfolk and Norwich and eleven of United All England commenced on the Cricket Ground, Norwich, and concluded on the 29th. Norfolk and Norwich, 73—75; United All England, 119—31.

SEPTEMBER.

8.—A trial of McCormick’s new reaper took place on Mr. Clare Sewell Read’s farm at Little Plumstead. The experiments were conducted by Mr. McCormick, the inventor, and Mr. Burgess, the manufacturer of the machine, in the presence of Baron Ricasoli, ex-Prime Minister of Italy, and of several other foreigners of distinction.

11.—Three troops of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, with headquarters and band, arrived at Norwich. “Although the regiment has been formed only five years, the principal portion of the non-commissioned officers and many of the privates were engaged at Balaclava, being Volunteers from other regiments to assist in training the present regiment.”

12.—A great Volunteer fête, given at Crown Point, by the High Sheriff of Norfolk (Mr. Harvey), was attended by many thousands of spectators from all parts of the county. The city and county corps, in two brigades, commanded respectively by Lieut.-Col. Custance and Lieut.-Col. Astley, with the Norwich Light Horse, under Lieut. Hay Gurney, were reviewed by Major-General Sir Archdale Wilson, K.C.B. The Norwich Cadet Corps, recently organized by Mr. Noverre, and the Grammar School Cadet Corps, were also in attendance. After the review the troops were entertained at dinner, a balloon ascent was made by Mr. Simmons, and military and other sports followed.

17.—The foundation-stone of a new church at Hautbois Magna was laid by Lord Suffield. The new building, which was designed to supplement the old parish church, was erected mainly by the exertions of the rector (the Rev. J. C. Girling), who gave the site. The cost was estimated at from £800 to £900. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich on May 26th, 1864.

OCTOBER.

6.—Died at his house, Belitha Villas, Barnsbury Park, London, Mr. John Curtis, F.L.S., aged 72. Mr. Curtis was a native of Norwich, where he resided many years. He was author of the celebrated work, “British Entomology,” on the completion of which Sir Robert Peel awarded him a pension for life.

13.—A ten miles race, between the Indian Deerfoot and Brighten, “the Norwich Milk Boy,” for a silver cup of the value of £30, took place on Figg’s Cricket Ground, Newmarket Road, Norwich. Previous performances of Brighten and Deerfoot had given rise to suspicion as to the genuineness of these contests, but on this occasion it was announced that “Deerfoot’s career in England being about to terminate,” the race would be a legitimate trial of speed. Brighten won by 30 yards, in 54 minutes, 30 sees.

17.—A severe storm occurred at Yarmouth, and numerous shipping casualties were reported.

19.—A fire took place on the premises of Messrs. Tillyard and Howlett, wholesale boot and shoe manufacturers, Water Lane, St. George’s Colegate, Norwich, and damage was done to the amount of £2000.

29.—Died at St. Leonard’s-on-Sea, the Dowager Lady Stafford. Her ladyship was an American by birth, one of four daughters of Mr. C. Caton, of Baltimore. So remarkable were the sisters for their personal charms, that they were known as “the beauties of Baltimore,” a reputation which had the effect of securing for three of them British coronets, one as the Duchess of Leeds, another as the Marchioness Wellesley, and the third as the Baroness Stafford. She became the second wife of the 8th Lord Stafford in 1837.

NOVEMBER.

10.—Mr. Henry Staniforth Patteson was elected Mayor, and Mr. J. J. Colman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

18.—The Norwich Town Council adopted an address to the Queen, congratulating her Majesty upon the attainment of his majority by H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The county magistrates adopted a similar address on January 8th, 1863.

19.—Died, suddenly, aged 50, Mr. John Wodderspoon, sub-editor of the “Norwich Mercury.” He had resided in Norwich about fourteen years, and had previously been connected with the “Suffolk Chronicle,” at Ipswich. Mr. Wodderspoon devoted his leisure time to the pursuit of the fine arts, and had achieved considerable proficiency as an amateur artist, a talent which assisted him materially in his other favourite study, archæology. He was an active member of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society, and whilst resident at Ipswich, wrote, “Memorials of Ipswich” and “Historic Sites of Suffolk.” His death occurred under painful circumstances. On the previous day a summons had been served upon him for threatening, it was alleged, a reporter on the “Mercury” staff. When giving instructions to Mr. Bugg, his solicitor in the case, Mr. Wodderspoon fell down and instantly expired.

22.*—“The Queen has been pleased to grant unto Henry Evans, the elder, of Lyng and of Bylaugh, clerk, and to his eldest son, Henry Evans, the younger, of Elmswell, in Suffolk, clerk, her Royal licence and authority that they and their respective heirs may, in compliance with a proviso contained in the last will and testament of Sir John Lombe, late of Great Melton, baronet, deceased, respectively take and henceforth use the surname of Lombe only, and use and bear the arms of Lombe in lieu of their present surname and arms of Evans.”

DECEMBER.

1.—Father Gavazzi lectured at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on “Italy, Victor Emanuel, Garibaldi, and the Pope,” and on the 2nd on “The Progress of the Gospel in Italy.”

10.—Mr. Charles Mathews appeared at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in his entertainment, “Personal Reminiscences, in Eight Chapters.” The entertainment was repeated on December 13th.

13.—Died at his residence, Elmsfield, Harrow, Lieut.-Col. Richard Montague Oakes, formerly of the 1st Life Guards, and Chief Constable of Norfolk, aged 71.

18.—A gale of great severity commenced at Yarmouth, and continued until the 22nd. “The lifeboats were suffered to lie quiescent on the beach, their crews (of the Young and Diamond Company) standing stolidly by, indifferent even to the signals of distress which from time to time came over the raging waters from vessels in great danger.” There was no loss of life. An inquiry was opened on January 6th, 1863, as to the conduct of the lifeboat crew, and adjourned to the 12th, when a resolution was adopted exonerating them from blame.

20.—Died at his residence, Norton Lodge, Freshwater, Isle of Wight, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Graham E. Hamond, Bart., G.C.B. He was the only son of Captain Sir Andrew Snape Hamond, R.N., created baronet in 1783, and was born December 30th, 1779. On the death of his father, at the advanced age of 90, in September, 1828, he succeeded to the baronetcy. He commenced his naval career in 1793, as midshipman in the Phaeton 38, under the command of his cousin, Sir A. S. Douglas; he then removed to the Queen Charlotte, 100, the flagship of Admiral Lord Howe, under whom he shared the honour and took part in the victory of “the glorious first of June.” Joining the Britannia, 100, the flagship of Admiral Hotham, he served in the Mediterranean, and witnessed the destruction of L’Alcide 74, taken in the action of July 13th. After constant active service on the Lisbon and home stations, during which he assisted at the capture of several French privateers and at the blockade of Malta and the siege of La Valette, he was appointed to the command of the Blanche, 36, in which ship he participated in the battle of Copenhagen. In 1804 he was appointed to the Lively, 38, in which frigate he captured, off Cape St. Mary, three Spanish frigates laden with treasure, and destroyed a fourth; during a subsequent cruise off Cape St. Vincent he captured the San Miguel, and the same day, in company with the Polyphemus, 64, took the Santa Gertruyda, 36, laden with a valuable cargo of 11,215,000 dollars in specie. In December, 1808, he was appointed to the command of the Victorious, 74, in which he assisted at the reduction of Flushing in 1809. He was appointed commander-in-chief of the South African station in September, 1834. Sir Graham was a magistrate and deputy lieutenant for the county of Norfolk.

21.—The sea broke over the sandhills at Wells and flooded about 700 acres of the west marshes, which had been reclaimed from the ocean by the Earl of Leicester. The damage was estimated at £10,000.

26.—The Christmas pantomime at Norwich Theatre, produced under the management of Mr. Sidney, was entitled “Jack the Giant-Killer.” Wombwell’s Menagerie was exhibited on the Castle Meadow.

1863.

JANUARY.

21.—Died at his residence, Thorpe Hamlet, aged 82, Mr. John Skipper, who had filled several offices under the old Corporation of Norwich, including those of Speaker and Chamberlain.

24.—Died at Trumpington Street, Cambridge, Mr. S. D. Colkett, artist, formerly of Norwich.

31.—The litigation arising from the inundation in Marshland commenced on this date with the hearing, in the Vice-Chancellor’s Court, of an application for a mandamus to compel the Middle Level Commissioners to restore the paling path over the breach made by the inundations. At the suggestion of the Court, it was agreed that the only question in dispute, that of legal liability, should be raised as a special case. At the Norfolk Assizes, on April 1st, before Lord Chief Justice Erle, two actions, Mason v. Wise and Coe v. Wise (clerk to the Middle Level Commissioners), were down for trial by special jury. It was understood that these cases, which were brought for the recovery of damages consequent upon the inundation, were selected out of a total of 107 causes in which writs had been issued. In the action Coe v. Wise, the declaration alleged that by a certain Act of Parliament the Middle Level Commissioners were bound to make and maintain a certain cut, bank, and sluices; it was complained that, in consequence of their negligence, the tidal waters burst through them and flooded the lands of the plaintiff. The defendant entered a plea of not guilty, and alleged that the plaintiff was not possessed of the lands. The hearing of the case occupied four days. The Judge, in summing up, directed the jury to decide whether the damage was caused to the plaintiff by the absence of due care and skill on the part of the defendants, (1) in respect of the making of the sluice; (2) in respect of maintaining the sluice; (3) in respect of providing remedies against mishap after the sluice was destroyed; and (4) was damage caused to the plaintiff by reason that no puddled wall was made along both banks of the cut? The jury found for the defendant on the first point, and for the plaintiff on the other three points. In the Court of Queen’s Bench, on April 18th, Mr. Fitzroy Kelly moved for a rule calling upon plaintiff to show cause why the verdict should not be set aside and entered for the defendant, on the ground of misdirection, and that the verdict was against the evidence. Lord Chief Justice Cockburn said the Court would grant a rule upon the question of law involved, but not as regarded the evidence, because their lordships found that Lord Chief Justice Erle was satisfied with the verdict. The case was again before the Court of Queen’s Bench on November 19th, and, alter two days’ argument, was ordered to stand over until the next term. (See January 21st, 1864.)

FEBRUARY.

16.—Charles Mower, the Dereham pedestrian, ran a one-mile match for £50 a side, with Edward Mills, of London, the six miles champion, on the Brampton Pedestrian Ground. Mower was a runner of considerable repute. His best performance was at Salford, in December, 1860, when he defeated Allison for the champion cup, running the mile in 4 minutes 24 seconds, the ground at the time being covered with snow. In his match with Mills he was beaten by 20 yards, in 4 minutes 34 seconds.

MARCH.

3.—The Norwich Poor-law Amendment Bill was considered by a Committee of the House of Commons. Its object was to repeal the Act passed in 1831, “for the better management of the several parishes and hamlets of the city and county of the city of Norwich”; to substitute another body for the Incorporation of Guardians; and to introduce certain clauses for the equalisation of the rates between the city and hamlets; and for the inclusion of the Cathedral Close, which was not then within the jurisdiction of the Guardians. The Bill passed through Committee on March 12th, and was directed to be reported to the House. The last meeting of the old Court of Guardians was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, on October 6th, and its existence as a corporate body expired on the 22nd, when the new Board was elected. Prior to the election, a meeting, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. Patteson), was held, at which was passed a resolution to the effect that, “considering the excessive poor-rates which have pressed upon this city for so many years, and the abuses which have sprung up in the administration of the Poor-law, it is incumbent upon the ratepayers to sink party and other differences and co-operate for carrying out the new Act with integrity and impartiality.”

10.—Great rejoicings took place in city and county, in celebration of the marriage of H.R.H. the Prince of Wales. The streets of Norwich were gaily decorated, and the day was observed as a general holiday. A parade of the troops, namely, the 5th Royal Irish Lancers, the 1st Norfolk Light Horse, the enrolled pensioners, the staff of the West Norfolk Militia, and the Norwich Battalion of Rifle Volunteers, took place on Major Middleton’s field on Ipswich Road. “All the troops wore wedding favours of uniform pattern.” After the review a feu de joie was fired in the Market Place, where the members of the Choral Society sang, “God Bless the Prince of Wales.” The military were entertained at luncheon in a marquee erected on the parade-ground at the Militia Barracks; the Sheriff (Mr. Colman) gave a dinner to the aged poor, at St. Andrew’s Hall, and 14,403 Sunday school children were entertained. At night the city was illuminated, a firework display took place on the Castle Meadow, and the proceedings concluded with the lighting of a huge bonfire opposite the Shirehall. Similar celebrations took place at Yarmouth and Lynn, and festivities were held in all the smaller towns and villages in the county. At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council on the 12th, congratulatory addresses were voted to the Queen and to the Prince and Princess of Wales, and it was announced that many of the textile manufacturers had decided to present to her Royal Highness articles of home manufacture. The citizens gave the famous “Norwich Gates” exhibited at the Great Exhibition, which were purchased by public subscription and afterwards erected at Sandringham. A county meeting was held at the Shirehall on the 14th, and congratulatory addresses adopted. Their Royal Highnesses arrived at their Norfolk home on March 28th. At Lynn railway station the Mayor (Mr. L. W. Jarvis) presented an address, and from Wolferton station to Sandringham the Prince and Princess were escorted by the Norfolk Light Horse, commanded by Capt. Hay Gurney, and by a large body of mounted tenantry.

12.—Died at Brentwood, Mr. Edward Taylor, professor of music at Gresham College, London, aged 79. He was a native of Norwich, and a son of Mr. John Taylor, who occupied a prominent position in the city as a wool and yarn factor, and displayed considerable literary and musical abilities. Mr. Edward Taylor had been many years resident in London, but he constantly attended the Norwich Musical Festivals, in the establishment of which he took a leading part, and was a frequent vocal performer. He was a pleasing composer, and some of his songs met with deserved appreciation.

16.—Professor J. H. Pepper lectured at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, on “Optical Illusions,” and for the first time exhibited in the city the now well-known illusion, “Pepper’s Ghost.”

19.—The Yarmouth Gas Bill, the object of which was to incorporate the Great Yarmouth Gas Company and to make further provision for lighting the town and certain neighbouring places with gas, was considered by a Committee of the House of Lords. The Bill was read a third time in that House on the 24th, and passed.

29.—Died at Wakefield Lodge, Northamptonshire, his Grace the Duke of Grafton. He was the eldest son of George Henry, fourth Duke, by Charlotte Maria Waldegrave, second daughter of James, second Earl Waldegrave and Maria, who afterwards became Duchess of Gloucester. Born on February 10th, 1790, he married, on June 20th, 1812, Mary Caroline, third daughter of Admiral the Hon. Sir George Cranfield Berkeley. He represented Bury St. Edmund’s from 1826 to 1830, and had a seat in the Lower House for Thetford from 1834 to September, 1844. By his death, his eldest son, the Earl of Euston, M.P. for Thetford since 1847, inherited the family honours.

31.—A remarkable charge of abduction was tried at the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Williams. Frederick Burrell (21), a clerk employed at the Royal Arsenal, was indicted “for having, from motives of lucre, fraudulently allured, taken away, and detained Jane Burrell, a person under 21 years of age, she having a present legal interest in certain real estates in Norfolk, out of the possession and against the will of her mother, Mary Ann Hyder, and her guardian, William Silver Hyder, with intent to marry her, on January 20th, 1863.” Henry Richard Burrell, his brother, was indicted for aiding and abetting. The defendants were uncles of the girl, who was the daughter of the eldest son of one Daniel Burrell, who died without a will. As the eldest son died during Daniel Burrell’s lifetime, the daughter became possessed of all his freehold property. The girl left school at Norwich at Christmas, and went to Fakenham, but instead of staying with her mother and stepfather, went to the house of Henry Burrell, and on January 19th left for London with Frederick Burrell. The next day they were married at Plumstead, near Woolwich, the marriage licence obtained by Frederick Burrell being, it was alleged, “full of the grossest perjury.” The jury returned a verdict of guilty, but sentence was deferred, pending the argument of certain points before the Court for the consideration of Crown cases reserved. The defendants, on April 25th, appealed against their conviction, and the Court, after hearing arguments, reserved judgment. The case came before the Court for the consideration of Crown cases reserved, on November 24th. Their lordships were divided in opinion, not upon any question of law, but upon the facts of the case. Judgment was delivered upon the opinion of the majority, who held that the facts did not bear out that which was necessary to sustain a prosecution, and therefore, “with very great regret,” they quashed the conviction.

APRIL.

5.—Died at Chester Terrace, Regent’s Park, London, Mr. John Taylor, F.R.S. Born at Norwich on August 22nd, 1779, he was trained as a land surveyor and engineer, and in 1798 was invited to take the management of a mine near Tavistock. It proved very profitable. In 1803 he projected and commenced the Tavistock Canal, of which about three miles were tunnelled through a granite hill. The execution of this work led to the discovery of two other mines, which produced large quantities of copper, and yielded considerable profits. The success of these and other mines in the neighbourhood of Tavistock, in Cornwall, and in the North of England, brought Mr. Taylor into great repute as a mining engineer. He was the author of several useful papers on mining, and one of the first to propose the formation of a Mining School; he was, too, one of the earliest Fellows of the Geological Society, and for many years acted as treasurer and vice-president. In 1825 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, and was one of the founders of the British Association for the Advancement of Science, of which organization he was treasurer until 1862. An excellent portrait of Mr. Taylor was painted by Sir Thomas Lawrence in 1825, and afterwards engraved by Charles Turner. Another portrait was painted in 1861, by Mr. Sydney Hodges.

6.—Madame Celeste commenced, at Norwich Theatre, a short season, during which she appeared in a round of her favourite characters.

20.—The nomination of candidates to contest the seat rendered vacant by the elevation of the Earl of Euston to the House of Lords took place at Thetford. Lord Frederick John FitzRoy and Mr. Robert John Harvey Harvey were proposed. The poll was opened on the 21st, and resulted as follows: FitzRoy, 93; Harvey, 81. There had been no contest at Thetford for twenty-two years previously.

MAY.

1.—Died at his residence, Newmarket Road, Norwich, aged 63, Mr. Isaac Wiseman, who served the office of Sheriff in 1830.

6.—The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. H. S. Patteson), as captain of the Second Company, Norwich Battalion Rifle Volunteers, was presented by the members of the company with Mr. Claude L. Nursey’s original painting, “The Officers of the Norwich Battalion,” in recognition of “his zeal in the Volunteer cause and of his courtesy to those under his command.”

9.*—“Challenge: Thomas Jessup, of East Harling, now in his 102nd year, is willing to walk against ‘Father Time’ or any other man of the same age as himself now living in England or elsewhere, a fair toe and heel match, without the aid of stick, crutch, or other auxiliary. The one doing the greatest distance in one day (or in a month, if preferred) to be entitled to the stakes, which can be made for any sum not exceeding £50 a side.”

11.—At Norwich Police Court, Mr. Edward Manning, of London Street, and Mr. William Edwards, of Sprowston, were summoned for assaulting Jonas Dye, of Pockthorpe, in contesting the question of common rights on Mousehold Heath. According to Mr. Simms Reeve, who appeared for the prosecution, the Dean and Chapter of Norwich owned the Heath, and the people of Pockthorpe, whether they had the right or not, claimed common rights. The Dean and Chapter did not dispute those rights, and the people not only used the Heath themselves, but let it to others to graze their cattle, to take turf at so much per hundred, and gravel at so much per load. The revenue formed a common fund, managed by a committee elected each year at a public meeting, at which the clergyman of the parish presided. The defendants contested these rights, and liberated stock which had been impounded. The Town Clerk (Mr. Mendham) objected to the magistrates’ jurisdiction, under 6th and 7th Vic., cap. 30, which provided that no justice of the peace “should hear and determine any case of assault or battery in which any question should arise as to the title of any lands, tenements, or hereditaments, or the interest accruing therefrom.” The magistrates dismissed the case.

26.—A dreadful accident occurred at Yarmouth. Two negro vocalists, named Charles Marsh and Henry Wharton, attended the Whit-Tuesday sports on the South Denes, when the former proposed that they should ascend the Nelson Monument. The other agreed, and the ascent commenced, Marsh performing “God Save the Queen” upon his violin, and Wharton playing a banjo accompaniment. Arrived at the summit, Marsh, who added to his other accomplishments that of a posturer, scaled the stone fence on the platform, and, seizing the lightning conductor, climbed upon the emblematic figure of Britannia and there remained for ten minutes, singing and waving his hands to the crowd beneath. In descending, he was compelled to stoop head foremost to grasp the handle of Britannia’s trident. From some cause he slipped, fell upon the plinth, and thence rebounded into space, falling with arms outstretched to the base of the column, a depth of 144 feet. His death was instantaneous.

27.—The official celebration of the Queen’s birthday at Norwich was observed as a half-holiday. A review of the military took place on Mousehold Heath, when colours, given by Mr. R. N. Bacon, were presented to the Norwich Battalion of Rifle Volunteers by the Hon. Mrs. F. Walpole. The regimental colour was received by Ensign Steward, and the Union Jack by Ensign Hansell, after which there was a consecration ceremony by the Rev. T. Clarke. The first-named colour bore the motto, Gloria virtutis umbra, in the centre, with the city arms and the name of the corps—1st City of Norwich Rifle Volunteers. The groundwork of the flag was green, and the armorial bearings and inscriptions were encircled by a floral border in gilt.

28.—Died at Edinburgh, aged 52, Mr. Archibald Dalrymple, F.R.C.S., formerly surgeon to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

JUNE.

4.—Four specimens of Pallas’s sand grouse—one male and three females—were shot at Waxham, by the Rev. Mr. Wheeler and Mr. Gibbs. On the 8th a fine male specimen was shot on Yarmouth Denes, near the old battery; and on the 9th and 10th a flock of about forty of the birds appeared upon Horsey beach. A pair was killed on Titchwell beach on the 10th, and another pair at about the same date in the adjoining parish of Brancaster. Altogether twenty-six specimens of these rare visitants from the Kirghis steppes of Tartary were procured in the county, and all were found either basking in the sands or feeding in grass fields close to the sea shore.

13.—At the sale of the Rev. John Gilbert’s property, by Messrs. Spelman, at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, a farm of forty acres realised £2,600, and the Church Farm, of forty-nine acres, at Heckingham, was sold for £2,000.

17.—The show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association took place at Yarmouth, and was the most successful of the exhibitions yet held.

22.—The 5th Royal Irish Lancers marched from the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich, for Aldershot, and a few weeks later sailed for India.

JULY.

1.—A fine barque of 410 tons, named the Egbert, was launched from the shipyard of Messrs. Fellows and Son, Southtown, Great Yarmouth.

2.—The Second Administrative Battalion of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, numbering 22 officers, 30 non-commissioned officers, and 260 rank and file, encamped at Langley Park, the seat of the Colonel-Commandant, Sir Thomas Proctor Beauchamp, Bart. This was the first Volunteer camp formed in the county. “Fifty camp tents, borrowed from the War Office for the occasion, were pitched in rows beyond the parade-ground, and in these the Volunteers encamped for the night, a plentiful supply of straw being provided for them.” The First Administrative Battalion encamped at Gunton Park, from July 22nd to 25th, and the Dereham and Wymondham Companies formed a camp at Letton Park, on September 22nd.

6.—A shocking accident occurred at Burgh Water Frolic. A large wherry, named the Ruby, belonging to Mr. England, of Limpenhoe, had been chartered for the day by a Yarmouth publican, and was crowded with passengers both above and below the hatches. The craft was sailing to the rendezvous, and when between the Dickey-walk and the Cross-stakes, the Red Rover, a famous yacht, was sighted coming full sail down the river. The passengers rushed hurriedly from the larboard to the starboard side of the wherry, to watch her progress, and those beneath the hatches protruded their heads and necks over the gunwale. The stanchions, unable to resist the sudden strain, gave way, and the hatches falling, came with terrific force upon the heads and bodies of the persons below. Two men, named Charles Aldis Rushmer and James Tripp, had their necks dislocated and skulls fractured, several persons sustained minor injuries, and others were thrown into the water, but were rescued by boats.

14.—The Channel Fleet of eight ships of war, under the command of Rear-Admiral Dacres, arrived in Yarmouth Roads. The total number of men on board was 4,800. The Fleet weighed anchor on the 18th, and sailed for the Downs.

15.—The Maharajah Duleep Singh, the new owner of the Elveden estate, arrived at Thetford for the purpose of inspecting the property. The church bells were rung in honour of the illustrious visitor. On November 21st it was announced that the Maharajah made almost daily excursions in pursuit of his favourite sport of hawking, and that a pack of hounds had also arrived at Elveden.

16.—A serious fire occurred at East Dereham, on the premises of Mr. William Hubbard, builder. It resulted in the total destruction of the large workshops, and entailed a loss of about £2,000. An adjacent warehouse was stored with £400 worth of goods belonging to Mr. E. Smith was also destroyed. Furniture and goods were hastily removed from adjoining houses and placed in the Corn Hall; the tenants of Mrs. Dingle’s cottages suffered great loss from their articles being broken or stolen. A public subscription was made to recoup Mr. Hubbard’s workmen the loss of their trade tools, valued at about £130; and on August 10th, at a meeting of the townspeople, a fire brigade was organized. The origin of the fire was never discovered. A groom in the employment of Mr. Hubbard was apprehended upon suspicion, but was discharged for want of evidence.

30.—Died at his residence, Town Close, Norwich, Mr. Samuel Shalders Bears, aged 76. He was for many years prominently connected with Norwich, both as a man of business and as a member of most of the leading institutions, charitable, literary, and political. In 1829, under the old Corporation, he was elected Sheriff, and in 1837, under the new régime, he served the office of Mayor. Mr. Beare was senior magistrate on the Norwich Bench, and was upon the commission of the peace for the county of Suffolk.

AUGUST.

3.—A dreadful railway accident took place upon the newly-opened line between Lynn and Hunstanton, by which five persons were killed and between twenty and thirty seriously injured. The accident was caused by the over-running of a bullock which had strayed upon the line. At the inquest, on August 13th, the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and called attention to the insufficiency of the fences provided by the Great Eastern Railway Company. The amount paid by the company in claims and compensation exceeded, it was stated, the sum of £10,000.

12.—The completion of the restoration of St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, was celebrated by a dinner given at the hall by the Mayor (Mr. Patteson). The work of renovation was carried out by Mr. J. W. Lacey, from designs by Mr. Barry, the City Surveyor. The cost, about £1,500, was defrayed by public subscription.

19.—Three troops of the 18th Hussars, with headquarters, marched into Norwich, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Knox, formerly Major in the 15th Hussars.

—A great archery fête was held at Crown Point, Norwich. The societies represented were the Norfolk and Norwich Archery Club, the East Norfolk, West Norfolk, East Suffolk, West Suffolk, Westwick, Long Melford, Waveney Borderers, Waveney Valley, Yarmouth, and Copdock Archers.

31.—Died at his residence, the South Quay, Great Yarmouth, Mr. Samuel Charles Marsh, aged 53. He occupied for many years a conspicuous public position in the borough, and twice served the office of Mayor—in 1844 and 1852.

SEPTEMBER.

10.—Died at Raynham Hall, his Norfolk seat, Rear-Admiral the Marquis Townshend. His lordship was riding in the park on the 9th, when he was seized with a paralytic stroke. John Townshend was son of Lord John Townshend, second son of George, first Marquis Townshend. He was born March 28th, 1798, and succeeded to the family honours on the death of his cousin, George Ferrars, third Marquis, in December, 1855. He married, August 18th, 1825, Elizabeth Jane, eldest daughter of Rear-Admiral Lord George Stuart, who survived him, and left issue an only son, John Villiers Stuart, Viscount Rainham, M.P., and three daughters. He entered the Navy as midshipman in 1814, but his services, owing to the peace of 1815, were not distinguished. Before his accession to the House of Lords he was elected member for Tamworth. In politics he was a pronounced Liberal, “being in advance of the political party to which he professed to belong, for he had voted in favour of the ballot, and was also for the admission of Jews into Parliament and the removal of all religious disabilities.”

14.—The Earl of Leicester, as Lord Lieutenant of the county, reviewed the Volunteers of Norfolk and Norwich, on Mousehold Heath. Upwards of 2,000 were on parade, and were inspected by Col. McMurdo, Inspector-General of the Volunteer Forces. The troops were afterwards entertained at dinner at the Corn Hall. The Mayor (Mr. Patteson) presided, supported by the Lord Lieutenant and many distinguished guests.

—The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced with an evening performance of “Judas Maccabæus.” On the evenings of the 15th, 16th, and 17th, miscellaneous concerts were given. “Joash” (E. Silas), conducted by the composer, was produced on the morning of the 16th, followed by “Scene at the Gates of Nain,” from “Emmanuel,” and a portion of the “Stabat Mater”; “Elijah” on the morning of the 17th, and “The Messiah” on the morning of the 18th. The principal performers were Mdlle. Tietjens, Madame Lemmens Sherrington, Madame Weiss, Miss Wilkinson, Miss Palmer, Mdlle. Trebelli, Mr. Sims Reeves, Signor Bettini, Mr. Montem Smith, Mr. Santley, Signor Bossi, and Mr. Weiss. Mr. Benedict conducted. A “full dress” ball was held on the night of the 18th.

21.—James Naylor, of Elsing, aged 51, murdered his wife, Charlotte Naylor, aged 81. “From the time he was committed to Norwich Castle to take his trial at the Assizes, he endeavoured to lead people to imagine that he was not of sound mind.” He died in prison on November 23rd, from cancer in the stomach.

30.—At a dinner held at St. Nicholas’ Hall, East Dereham, Capt. Bulwer, the commanding-officer of the 15th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers, was presented with an album containing photographs of every member of the company, “in recognition of his valuable services in promoting the success and efficiency of the corps.” A presentation was also made to Mrs. Bulwer.

OCTOBER.

2.—Died in London, Sir William Bellairs, of Mulbarton Lodge, in his 70th year. From 1811 to 1819 he served in the 15th Hussars, and went through the campaigns of 1813 and 1814. He was present at Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Orthes, Tarbes, Toulouse, and other engagements, and also served in the campaign of 1815, had a horse killed under him in the retreat from Quatre Bras, and received two wounds at the battle of Waterloo. In 1837 he was appointed exon of the Yeomen of the Guard, which he held up to 1849. He married, in 1822, Miss Hooke, daughter and heiress of Mr. Edmund Hooke, of Mulbarton Lodge.

10.—Died at his residence, St. Catherine’s Cottage, Norwich, in his 62nd year, Mr. William Matchett, senior proprietor of the Norfolk Chronicle. He was the second son of Mr. Jonathan Matchett, a former proprietor of the journal. Educated at Norwich Grammar School, under the Rev. Dr. Valpy, he became a partner in the establishment in 1827, from which time until his death he took an active share in its management. “In former days, before the science of shorthand writing had become a business in itself, Mr. Matchett, like his school-fellow and contemporary, Mr. R. N. Bacon, performed for this newspaper all those duties which the exigencies of the present age require should be distributed amongst a ‘staff of reporters,’ and as the representative of the Chronicle attended most of the principal meetings in the city and county, the proceedings at which were ably condensed for the public eye by the aid of his brief notes and singularly retentive memory. Under the old Corporation, and for a short period under the new régime, Mr. Matchett was connected with the Norwich Town Council for upwards of eight years, and at all times took a warm interest in the welfare and improvement of his native city.

27.—Elihu Burritt, “the Learned Blacksmith,” delivered a lecture to the Norwich Young Men’s Christian Association, on “The Higher Law and Mission of Commerce.”

29.—Mdlle. Carlotta Patti appeared at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, accompanied by Madame Fanny Huddart, Herr Reichardt, Signor Ferranti, and MM. Vieuxtemps and Ascher (violin and pianoforte). “Mdlle. Patti had been offered an engagement at the Festival, but had declined to come unless she was paid 500 gs. The Festival Committee were justified in rejecting her terms, which could only be accorded to a second Jenny Lind, which she is not. Nevertheless she is a wonderful singer.”

NOVEMBER.

7.*—“The gales that have visited the coast during the last week have been terrific. For days there has been an enormous fleet of southward bound colliers in Yarmouth Roads. With other vessels, the coast, extending from Caister to Corton, a distance of several miles, has been crowded with shipping, and several shipwrecked crews have been landed at the Sailors’ Home.”

9.—Died at Norwich, in his 76th year, Mr. William Stark, F.G.S. He was well-known in his day as an able chemist, and was one of the first dyers of fabrics of Norwich manufacture, “particularly of the colour called Turkey red, the manufacturers in the North sending large quantities of goods for dyeing.” He devoted much of his time to the prosecution of scientific studies, and was a Fellow of the Geological Society. In the days when Dr. Rigby, William Taylor, Dalrymple, Crosse, C. Austrin, Dr. Evans, &c., belonged to the Norwich Philosophical Society, Mr. Stark contributed many papers at its meetings, in which he bore a distinguished part. For many years he had been afflicted by partial loss of sight, and a few months before his death became totally blind.

9.—Mr. Osborn Springfield was elected Mayor, and Mr. Frederick Brown appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

14.—A meeting for the promotion of the East Norfolk Railway was held at the Swan Hotel, St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, under the presidency of Lord Suffield. A resolution emphasising the importance of the scheme was adopted, and the following motion was also unanimously passed: “That the offer of the Great Eastern Railway Company to render substantial help in the formation of lines of railway to North Walsham, Aylsham, and Cromer, and to work the same when made at 50 per cent. upon the gross receipts, should be cordially accepted by the district, as conferring the means of accomplishing public works of the greatest benefit, and which otherwise must have been indefinitely postponed.” (See May 5th, 1864.)

16.—Mr. James Caird, M.P., Mr. G. Shaw Lefevre, M.P., and Professor T. H. Huxley, the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the condition of the sea fisheries of the United Kingdom, attended at the Sailors’ Home, Yarmouth, for the purpose of hearing evidence. The objects of the inquiry were to ascertain (1) whether the supply of fish from the fisheries of the United Kingdom had increased of late years, remained stationary, or diminished; (2) whether any of the methods of catching fish involved the wasteful diminution of fish spawn, and whether legislative interference was required to increase the supply; and (3) whether any existing legislative enactments operated prejudicially against fisheries. The Commissioners afterwards visited King’s Lynn.

22.—The death occurred at Yarmouth, in his 43rd year, of Hales, the Norfolk Giant. He was born at West Somerton, and for some years was engaged in seafaring pursuits, until his enormous height, 7 ft. 6 inches, gained for him such notoriety that he was induced to abandon the sea and exhibit himself. During his nomadic career he visited almost every town in the kingdom, and scarcely a fair was considered complete without the huge yellow caravan which formed his temporary abode. Becoming tired of his wandering life. Hales took up his abode in London, and whilst there had the honour of appearing before the Court and of receiving from the Queen a handsome gold watch and chain. Shortly after his appearance at Court, the fame of the Norfolk Giant reached Barnum, who lost no time in engaging his services. Hales remained with Barnum for some years, in the course of which he visited most of the cities and towns in America. On his return to England he resumed his wanderings, and, in the course of the summer of 1862 came to Yarmouth, where his presence on the Britannia Pier attracted large numbers of visitors. Hales’s parents were conspicuous for their great height, his father being 6 ft 6 ins., and his mother 6 ft. He had five sisters, who averaged 6 ft 6 ins. One of them, Mary, was 7 ft. 2 ins. in height, and for some years travelled with her brother. She died in Guernsey. His four brothers averaged 6 ft 5 inches. A few days before his death, Hales was walking about Norwich, where he attracted great crowds by his immense size.

23.—Died at the Rectory, Long Stratton, Mr. George Birch Jerrard, son of Major-General Jerrard. Born at Bodmin, on November 24th, 1804, he acquired considerable fame as a mathematician, and was the author of “Mathematical Researches” and of “An Essay on the Resolution of Equations.” In his first-named work, “he made a great step in Algebra, and one acknowledged by all mathematicians, namely, the taking away of three terms from equations of any degree. In his latter work he maintains he has solved the great problem of Algebra, namely, the resolution of all equations.” At the time of his death he was engaged in writing a work on “Prophecy,” a subject in which he was greatly interested.

26.—Brother Ignatius, “a clergyman of the English Church, who has the temerity to come before a public audience attired as a Benedictine monk, with bare head and bare feet, carrying a rosary and crucifix, which in this country are regarded as symbolic only of the Romish Church, and calling himself by a name not accorded to him by his godfathers and godmother,” lectured at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on “Monks and Monasteries for the English Church.” (See February 13th, 1864.)

DECEMBER.

2.—A gale of unusual violence began in the night, and prevailed during the whole of the 3rd. There was hardly a street in Norwich in which the roofs of houses escaped damage. Many vessels were lost off the Norfolk coast. One hundred and forty-four men and boys were drowned, and 68 widows and 105 children were left destitute. A public subscription, to which the Queen contributed £100, was opened at Yarmouth to relieve their distress.

9.—A meeting of weavers was held at Norwich, to consider the rates of payment for work. It was stated that in 1846 a list of prices was agreed to by the manufacturers and operatives for all fabrics then made. These prices had, with few exceptions, been maintained in Norwich, but a great deal of work was sent into the country, where it was done at the reduced rate of 5½d. per dozen skeins, or considerably more than 50 per cent. difference. The weavers resolved that any departure from the list of prices would be alike injurious to employers and employed, and a deputation was appointed to wait upon the manufacturers to enforce this view.

—Mr. David Fisher gave, at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, his entertainment, entitled, “Facts and Fancies,” with which he had achieved great success during the London season. Mr. Fisher was known in Norwich not only as an excellent actor and accomplished musician, but as a vocalist of much taste.

21.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Baron Martin, James Margatroyed Hubbard (24), described as a general dealer, and son of a Norwich brewer, was indicted for forging a bill of exchange for £45, and sentenced to 20 years’ penal servitude.

25.—The weather was very mild. A picotee bloom and rose were gathered in a garden at Norwich.

26.—Mr. H. J. Byron was the author of the pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre. It was entitled, “Ali Baba, or the Thirty-nine Thieves.”

—A revolting performance was given at one of the shows at the Norwich Christmas Fair. “A man and woman, said to be Kaffirs, actually fed upon live rats, in the presence of continually succeeding audiences.” The details, as published in the newspaper, are too horrible to be quoted. The Mayor, on being informed of the proceedings, prohibited the exhibition, after which raw flesh was substituted for live rats. At Walsingham, a few days afterwards, the show was visited by many hundreds of country folk; at Wells the police expelled the performers from the town.

1864.

JANUARY.

6.—The mild weather of Christmas week was succeeded by frost of great intensity. On this day the thermometer stood at 14 degrees, and the river above the New Mills at Norwich was frozen. Large numbers of golden plover made their appearance in the neighbourhood of Thetford, and an extraordinary quantity of wild fowl came within the bounds of Shadwell, where Sir Robert Buxton prohibited their being shot or molested.

9.—Early in the morning intelligence was received at Norwich that the Princess of Wales had, on the previous evening, given birth to a son (Prince Albert Victor). Throughout the day rejoicing peals were rung upon the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, the Royal Standard was displayed at the Guildhall, and on the 19th the Corporation sent a congratulatory address to the Queen and to the Prince and Princess of Wales.

19.—Died at Norwich, Mr. George Fisher, a member of the talented and well-known local family of that name, and of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians. On retiring from the stage, he conducted a school at Swaffham, and subsequently resided at Lynn, where he was for many years known as an enthusiastic votary of the violin, and a useful member of the band of the Musical Union. He was author of a curious and voluminous work, entitled, “A Companion and Key to the History of England,” printed by Skill, of Swaffham, and published in 1832.

20.—Died at Hove, Brighton, Captain J. J. B. E. Frere, R.N. He entered the Navy in 1826, and had been for nearly twenty-five years engaged on active service—against the pirates in the Mediterranean, in the operations on the coast of Syria, in the Pacific with Lord George Paulet, and as commissioner for the Government of the Sandwich Islands, while held temporarily under the British flag.

21.—The hearing of the action, Cox v. Wise, arising out of the inundation in Marshland, was resumed in the Court of Queen’s Bench, and, after three days’ argument for the rule in support of the verdict, and against the rule to set it aside, the case was closed. Their lordships reserved judgment until May 24th, when Mr. Justice Mellor held that the Middle Level Commissioners were trustees for public purposes, acting without reward and deriving no tolls from the works; they had not the means of raising funds except for the specific performance of the objects of their private Act. He was of opinion that they were not liable for damages, and that the rule must be made absolute. Mr. Justice Blackburn was of the contrary opinion; he thought the plaintiff had a right to his verdict, and that the rule should be discharged. Lord Chief Justice Cockburn thought the defendants were not liable, and said that the rule must be made absolute. Rule absolute accordingly. (See June 9th, 1865.)

FEBRUARY.

8.—Died, aged 91, Mr. John Bennett, for many years resident in Norwich. “The deceased wore a pigtail to the day of his death and was the last of the old school in the city.”

13.—It was announced that an attempt was being made to form a religious order or brotherhood in Norwich, and that a house on Elm Hill, formerly occupied by Mr. Elisha De Hague, had been purchased for conversion into a monastery. Shortly afterwards a party of five brethren, headed by “the notorious Brother Ignatius,” took up their quarters in the newly-acquired premises, and, it was asserted, had the countenance, if not the active support, of advanced High Churchmen in the city, under whose auspices at this date lectures were delivered “in defence of Church principles,” one of the lecturers being the Rev. Dr. A. F. Littledale. On February 24th, the “Benedictine chapel,” known as the “priory of St. Mary and Dunstan,” was dedicated by Ignatius. From this date scenes of disorder and riot were of frequent occurrence in the neighbourhood of the monastery, and directly and indirectly the existence of the confraternity gave rise to several remarkable incidents. During Easter week the “monks” made daily visits to St. Lawrence’ church, which had already been brought into notoriety by the ritualistic practices of the rector, the Rev. E. A. Hillyard. There daily Communion was celebrated, and the brethren walking in procession to and from the church were assailed and insulted by the mob. The protection of the police was demanded by Ignatius, and the magistrates were frequently engaged in the hearing of cases of riot and assault arising out of the proceedings at Elm Hill and St. Lawrence’. A spirit of unrest manifested itself in other directions. On April 6th a person calling himself the Baron De Camin, who stated that he was an ex-priest of the Romish Church, delivered, at the Victoria Hall, St. Andrew’s, a lecture full of scurrilous and indecent observations. A scene of great tumult ensued; the gas was extinguished, and, under cover of darkness, the “baron” escaped. Another lecturer appeared on the 14th and 15th, in the person of Signor (formerly Father) Allessandro Gavazzi, who delivered orations at St. Andrew’s Hall, on “Romish Encroachments at Home” and “Garibaldi and Italy’s Impending Future.” Whilst the High Church party were taking an aggressive stand in the city, a section of the Low Church party in the county, led by the Rev. W. Haslam, of Buckenham, were seeking, under the name of “Revivalism,” to introduce Nonconformist methods into the services of the Church. Meanwhile official notice was taken of Mr. Hillyard’s proceedings. At a meeting of the Board of Guardians, on April 28th, it was agreed, “That the Rev. E. A. Hillyard having identified himself with certain persons calling themselves monks, whom he has allowed to participate in the services of his church, no longer holds the confidence of the Board, and is called upon to resign his situation as chaplain of the Norwich Workhouse.” Mr. Hillyard declined to vacate the office, and a deputation of the Board waited upon the Bishop, who expressed strong disapproval of the reverend gentleman’s action. A meeting of the parishioners of St. Lawrence’ passed a resolution on May 6th: “That this vestry views with grief and indignation the manner in which Divine worship has been performed of late, particularly as regards the dressing of the Communion table, and the minister allowing persons calling themselves monks to take a prominent part in the performance of the services.” The resolution was numerously signed by the parishioners and presented to the Bishop. St. Gregory’s church, during the incumbency of the Rev. W. B. Sharpe, became a centre of ritualism, and on June 9th advantage was taken, on the appointment of the new incumbent, the Rev. J. Wortley, to petition the Archdeacon of Norwich to sanction the removal of “a floral cross and other floral decorations from the chancel and the candlesticks from the Communion table, of monograms and emblems recently painted on the chancel steps, and of the curtains and drapery from the walls of the chancel, and to order the restoration of the Commandments, the Belief, and the Lord’s Prayer in their place”; and the minister was requested “to discontinue the weekly offering, as it was strongly objected to by many of the parishioners.” On August 23rd Mr. Wortley announced that many of the objectionable ornaments had been removed; and on August 27th it was stated that the English Church Union had resolved to raise a special fund to meet expenses that might be incurred by Mr. Smith, churchwarden, in legally protesting against the action which had led to their removal. On June 27th a meeting of the supporters of the district schools of the associated parishes of St. Peter Mancroft, St. John Maddermarket, St. Gregory, St. Lawrence, and St. Margaret, resolved “That the Rev. E. A. Hillyard had entirely forfeited the confidence of the committee, by mixing himself up with certain persons calling themselves monks, and Mr. Henry Browne finding it impossible, under the circumstances, to collect subscriptions, had therefore refused to continue to act with Mr. Hillyard, either as treasurer, secretary, or manager.” Mr. Hillyard upon this decision severed his connection with the association, but refused to accede to a request, signed by some of the leading clergy in Norwich and Norfolk, on July 2nd, to discontinue his practices at St. Lawrence’ or to comply with the wishes of the Bishop. On August 17th the Guardians passed a resolution prohibiting his further attendance at the Workhouse; and on October 25th Sir John Walsham, the Poor-Law Inspector for the district, held an inquiry at the Guildhall into his conduct. The Poor-Law Board, on December 14th, intimated to the Guardians that they had dismissed Mr. Hillyard from the chaplaincy. The Elm Hill monastery was closed in May, 1866, and the building work of a proposed new chapel to be erected by Ignatius suspended. (See January 16th, 1869.)

22.—Died at Sidcup, Kent, in his 96th year, Mr. Edward Smyth, formerly agent in Norwich of the Bank of England. His early career was spent in the Army. He served at the fall of Seringapatam, in 1799, with the 25th Light Dragoons, who, at Mullavelly, routed the cavalry of Tippoo Sahib, thereby enabling Lord Harris to bring to a successful termination his siege operations against that important fortress. Mr. Smith afterwards served with the Duke of Wellington in that Indian campaign which ended with the famous battles of Assaye and Urgam.

MARCH.

8.—The agitation for the repeal of the Malt Tax was re-opened with increased vigour at a large meeting of West Norfolk farmers, held at the Town Hall, Lynn, under the presidency of the High Sheriff (Mr. H. Lee Warner). A resolution was passed affirming that the tax was unjust in principle, utterly opposed to the Free Trade policy adopted on the repeal of the Corn Laws, and most injurious to British farmers as producers of barley. Members of Parliament were urged to support its repeal.

9.—Sir Henry Stracey announced to the electors of Yarmouth his intention of retiring from the representation of the borough.

10.—The Mayor of Yarmouth (Mr. R. Steward), who, for the fourth time, had held that office, was presented with a piece of plate, valued at 200 gs., in appreciation of his public services and his private worth.

APRIL.

5.—The church of St. John Maddermarket, Norwich, was re-opened by the Bishop of Norwich. Extensive repairs and restoration had been carried out, under the direction of Messrs. Elmslie, Franey, and Haddon, of London, at the cost of £1,431.

9.*—“Col. Black, Chief Constable of the county, has accepted the command of the Norwich Battalion of Volunteers, as offered him by the Lord Lieutenant, on the retirement of Lieut.-Col. Brett.”

22.—Died at his residence, Prince of Wales Road, Norwich, Mr. David Hodgson, artist. He was the son of Mr. Charles Hodgson. “The names of both father and son are connected with the list of local celebrities in Art, in which may be included the names of Crome, Vincent, Stark, and Joseph Stannard.” David Hodgson excelled in architectural subjects, which he painted with great care and truthfulness of detail.

26.—The marriage of Viscount Powerscourt and Lady Julia Coke, eldest daughter of the Earl and Countess of Leicester, was solemnised at St. George’s church, Hanover Square.

27.—The first meeting of the Norwich Geological Society was held under the presidency of the Rev. J. Gunn, F.G.S.

MAY.

5.—The Bill for the projected East Norfolk Railway was considered before a Committee of the House of Commons. It was strongly opposed by the Yarmouth Haven and Pier Commissioners, and by the North Walsham and Dilham Canal Commissioners, as offering unfair competition with water communication in that part of the county. (See October 18th, 1865.)

16.—Mr. Edmund Rosenthal’s grand English opera and burlesque company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The artistes included Madame Haigh-Dyer, Miss Ada Taylor, Miss Hodgson, Miss Brooke, Miss Alessandri, Miss Bronti, Miss Mills, Miss Shepherd, Miss Tempest, and Miss Marian Taylor; Mr. W. Parkinson, Mr. J. Manley, Mr. Tempest, Mr. Warden, Mr. Bentley, Mr. Melville, Mr. R. Arthur, Mr. Smith, Mr. Arnott, Mr. Morgan, and Mr. Edmund Rosenthal. The operas produced were “Maritana,” “Lucia di Lammermoor,” &c., and the burlesque “Prince Amabel.”