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.”