1831.
Feb. 10th—The Gorleston and Southtown Magazine had been issued in weekly numbers or monthly parts, and contained a biographical notice of Mr. Dawson Turner, F.S.A., &c.
Feb. 17th.—Amongst the vessels lost and driven ashore by the then late gales were the Alfred (Simmonds), the Flora, the Juno (Moss), the Elizabeth and Mary Welch (Amis), and the Anson (Garwood).
March 5th.—Contains the following notice of Mr. Palmer’s Fancy Dress Ball:—
MR. PALMER’S FANCY BALL.
In our notice of this amusement at the late Festival, we recollect to have said—“The ice has been broken, the pleasure has been felt, and we shall be mistaken if the next effort be not more successful.” This prediction, intended at the time to be applied to future festivals, we did not expect to be so soon, so completely, or so successfully fulfilled, as in the instance we now have the pleasure to record. This entertainment was given at the Town Hall on Tuesday evening last, in celebration of the attainment of his majority by Mr. S. Palmer, the grandson of the late Danby Palmer, Esq., whose extended private connections and still wider mercantile pursuits have bequeathed to his grandson a more numerous portion of friends than it is the lot of most persons to enjoy at an early period of life. The invitations were sent out with such hospitality, the preparations were on so munificent a scale, that the spirit of the donor seemed to diffuse itself not only to all those who were about to be present, but to all the inhabitants of the borough. The novelty, the continued arrivals, the firing of cannon, the banners floating at the Town Hall, and in various parts of the town, the gay appearance of the ships in the harbour, most of which were decorated with pennons, as were several vessels in the Roads—all aided in keeping alive the expectation, so that in the evening the Quay, around the hall, was crowded with persons anxious to see the company—so anxious, indeed, that the carriage windows were assailed by men and women jumping up to get a peep at the interior. The company began to assemble about half-past eight, and on entering the ball room were announced by name, and received by Mr. Palmer and his mother and Miss A. Burton (to whom, we understand, Mr. Palmer is about to be united.) These ladies appeared in very elegant Court dresses, and Mr. Palmer in a full-dress Court suit. Till ten o’clock the company continued to arrive, at which hour Mr. Palmer opened the Ball by leading off a country dance with Miss A. Burton. We never saw a similar entertainment combining so great a variety of character. The brilliancy of the colours and the constant succession of costumes, the reliefs, the contrasts, and the varying shades, reminded us forcibly of those beautiful combinations formed by the kaleidoscope, of which, visually, this scene may be said to have been an animated representation. On the one side of a quadrille was to be seen the gawdy Spaniard, leading with haughty dignity the lively Mrs. Ford of the Elizabethian age; while behind him stood pondering o’er the fleeting vanity of this world the solitary Friar; opposite ranged the joyous Sailor, indulging his mirth at the expense of the courtly dignity of his fair partner. At one end was the Old Gentleman of two centuries since, in all the gravity and politeness of that age, leading forth some sprightly Tyrolese; while at the other was a Chinese Mandarin, paired off with a black-eyed Gipsy; a little further, and the Scotchman promenaded with the brilliant Circassian; the Frieselander with the simply-dressed Quakeress; the Queen of Scots with the bronze and fierce Turk; the reckless Massaroni with the lively Mrs. Page; the dark Colombian with the prim lady of an hundred years ago; the Forester with the Flower Girl; the haughty Knight Templar with the simple Swiss Peasant; the chivalrous Pole with the heavy Russian; the youthful Ivanhoe with a French Peasant; and to crown the diversity, Day and Night were to be seen at once, arm and arm with a Chimney Sweep.
April 14th.—The Preston (Capt. Woodthorpe), with passengers, for Prince Edward’s Island and Quebec, had been towed down the Harbour.
May 5th.—This number contains the following account of the Borough Election, consequent upon the rejection of a Reform Bill:—
The Mayor, in opening the proceedings, said that the electors were met to exercise an important trust, that of electing two persons to represent the Borough—a trust at all times of the greatest responsibility, but certainly never more so than at the present eventful crisis. Determined as he was to act with strict justice, and with that fairness and impartiality which were the best ornaments of the office he had the honour to hold, he entreated that the contest in which they were now about to be engaged might be conducted on both sides with that order and decorum that forbearance and moderation due from gentlemen to gentlemen, and from man to man. (Cheers.)
Mr. B. Dowson, in a brief but emphatic address, put in nomination the Hon. George Anson, this was seconded by R. Palmer Kemp, Esq.
T. Clowes, Esq., then proposed, in an address replete with sterling sense and strength, C. E. Rumbold, Esq., seconded by J. Shelley, Esq., who adverted to the circumstance of Mr. Colville being a merchant connected with the West Indian Trade and a supporter of colonial slavery.
I. Preston, Esq., jun., and — White, Esq., nominated A. Colville, Esq., and J. Lacon, Esq., jun., and Mr. J. Laws nominated W. Bliss, Esq.
Col. Anson and Mr. Rumbold addressed the electors at considerable length, pointing out the merits of the measure they supported, during which they were enthusiastically cheered.
Mr. Colville also spoke at length, amid much tumult, during which he was interrupted by loud yells of various kinds—attacking the Bill for its disfranchising nature, and defending colonial slavery.
Mr. Bliss had not arrived at that time.
A poll was determined and immediately opened and continued till five o’clock on that and the following day, when the numbers were announced by the Committee of Anson and Rumbold to be—
| For Col. Anson | 748 |
| Mr. Rumbold | 748 |
| Mr. Colville | 503 |
| Mr. Bliss | 497 |
The poll was adjourned till Monday.
On Sunday morning, however, Messrs. Colville and Bliss left the town, or, as our correspondent writes, “May Day became more than commonly exhilarating, by the agreeable information quickly diffused through the town, that the enemies of freedom and of the Constitution had fled, happy in evading and escaping from merited punishment, so irritated were the minds of the lower class of society against these obtruders, without a shadow of claim to their suffrages, that, by their flight on Sunday morning, they probably escaped an ablution in the waters of the beautiful river Yare.”
On Monday the books opened, and at the close the final numbers were—
| For Col. Anson | 903 |
| Mr. Rumbold | 903 |
| Mr. Colville | 547 |
| Mr. Bliss | 541 |
This vexatious contest, for it was vexatious, inasmuch as it was opposed to the general wish of the inhabitants, as not the slightest chance of success prevailed from the commencement, and the only object of which was to extract money from the purses of the two Members, terminated, not only in the triumphant defeat of the Boroughmongers, but by affording a lesson to the Charles Street Society in London, whose only object is to continue corruption, by the means of corruption, a proof that true independence and love of country is far beyond the purchase of the greatest wealth. But the friends of Reform at Yarmouth have set a noble example of consistency, for they have commenced among themselves one of the modes which the Reform Bill will enforce. They have determined to raise among themselves a sum sufficient to defray the legal expenses of the election, and to return their well-tried Members as unhurt in their finances as they are independent in principal, and by this mark of gratitude and esteem to repay the obligations which the inhabitants of Yarmouth in common with the country at large owe to the supporters of the Reform Bill—£1,750—has already been raised. We say to the rest of the nation, “Go thou and do likewise.”
The Chairing of the Members had taken place amid the most enthusiastic cheers.
May 19th.—The thanks of the Yarmouth District Committee for saving lives from shipwreck was voted to Lieut. Harmer, R.N., on saving the crew of the schooner Fleece, which had been wrecked on the Scroby Sand on the 14th inst.
May 26th.—The men employed by Messrs. Grout, Baylis, and Co., had an excellent dinner provided for them at J. B. Bales’, Apollo Gardens.
June 9th.—The Mayor had obtained a rule for a mandamus commanding the Members of the Corporation to attend a Court for the “transaction of public business.”
June 16th.—The population had increased 3,024 since the census of 1821, the numbers being—
| 1831. | 22,028 including 913 sailors. |
| 1821. | 19,004. |
| 3,024 increase. |
The remaining part of the Eastern Regiment of Norfolk Militia, consisting of about 440 men, had assembled for 28 days’ training, under the command of Major Sir E. K. Lacon.
June 23rd.—“Our venerable and highly respected Recorder, Robert Alderson, Esq., had delivered in his resignation.”
June 30th.—The Bishop of Norwich consecrated St. Mary’s Church, Southtown. His Lordship was met by the Corporation “in full robes,” the Hon. and Rev. Viscount Nevill, the Rev. R. Turner, J. Kitson, Esq. (Registrar), W. Rackham, Esq. (Proctor), and the principal clergymen and gentry of the neighbourhood.
The following was the “correct statement” of the population, taken by the Overseers on 30th May and following days, and sworn by them in Petty Session:—
| Males | 8,980 |
| Females | 12,135 |
| 21,115 | |
| Sailors | 913 |
| 22,028 | |
| Inhabited houses | 4,570 |
| Number of families | 4,869 |
| Houses building | 23 |
| Houses uninhabited | 191 |
July 7th contains the following notice of the laying the first stone of St. Peter’s Church:—
“For some days past notices had been issued that the first stone of the new Church, to be erected in this town, was to be laid this day; and at half-past ten this morning the Mayor, Corporation, gentry, and inhabitants assembled at the Town Hall, and proceeded to St. Nicholas’ Church. Prayers were read by the Rev. Harvey Bawtree, and after service the procession moved in the following order:—Bellman, Church Beadles, Constables, the Corporation Band, Hospital Charity Children, Inhabitants and Gentry, Officers of the Navy, Mr. J. J. Scoles, the Architect, the Clergy of Yarmouth and its vicinity, the Regalia, the Right Worshipful Edmund Preston, Esq., the Mayor, his Majesty’s Lieutenant for the County, the Hon. and Very Rev. Dr. Pellew, Dean of Norwich, and the Rev. Richard Turner, the Right Hon. and Rev. Viscount Nevill, the Deputy-Mayor, the Aldermen in their scarlet gowns, the Common Councilmen, Constables. On arriving at the ground, the procession passed once round the building to the north-east corner.
A copy of the inscription, which had been written on vellum, and placed with the coins of the present King in a bottle, hermetically sealed, was then read by the Town Clerk:—
“Great Yarmouth.—The first stone of this Church, dedicated to St. Peter, and erected by His Majesty’s Commissioners for building new Churches (under the authority of an Act of Parliament, 58th Geo. III. c. 45) on a site granted by the Corporation, and with the assistance of their donations, and the subscriptions of several of the inhabitants of the town and its vicinity, was laid on the seventh day of July, in the second year of the reign of His Most Gracious Majesty King William the Fourth, mdcccxxxi., by the Right Worshipful Edmund Preston, Esquire, Mayor; the Right Reverend Henry Bathurst, Lord Bishop of the Diocese; the Honourable and Very Reverend George Pellew, D.D., Dean of Norwich; the Honourable and Reverend Edward Pellew, M.A., Minister of the parish. Architect, Joseph John Scoles; contractors, John Pigg, Jeremiah Wright, George Cattermole, Samuel Bligh, James Watson.”
The children sang the 100th Psalm during the operation of inserting the bottle in a cavity, and securing the stone, which had been prepared to receive it. A silver trowel was then presented by the Architect, and after the Mayor had spread the mortar, the stone was lowered to the proper place, and the ceremony of striking it was performed by the Clergy and Corporation in succession.
The Dean offered up appropriate prayers, accompanied by an address expressly composed for this occasion. The children then sang a collect. The Mayor afterwards addressed the company present, on the pious work which they had assisted in commencing; amidst the general plaudits of the surrounding multitude the band struck up “God save the King,” and the company returned to the Town Hall and partook of an elegant cold collation.
“The Church, which has been so happily begun, is calculated to contain 1,800 persons, and three-fifths of the seats are to be appropriated for ever as free sittings.”
August 25th.—Contains the following notice:—“By invitation from the Mayor and Mrs. Preston, on Monday sennight, to a promenade at their beautiful garden, situate on the banks of the river Yare, were assembled almost all the fashion of the town and its vicinity. At seven o’clock the band struck up the national air of “God Save the King,” immediately after which the younger part of the company formed themselves into quadrilles, &c., upon the grass plat, near the centre of which tables were supplied with wines of the first quality and every refreshment in season. At eight o’clock a fire balloon ascended from the grounds in very fine style, which was visible on the grounds and town for about twenty minutes. The amusements concluded with a brilliant display of fireworks. The extreme serenity of the evening, aided by the wild light of the moon and the more refulgent illumination of the garden with variegated lamps, rendered this a scene which for good humour and pleasantness has rarely or ever been equalled in this town.”
Sept. 1st.—Mr. Shelly attended the Corporation meeting and insisted on reading a protest in respect of the non-attendance of that body to their “ordinance.” The following officers were then elected:—
Mayor-Elect—John Preston, Esq.
Chamberlain—Mr. E. Youell.
Churchwardens—S. Paget, Esq., and Mr. T. E. Laws.
Auditors—R. Cory, jun., Esq., E. Preston, Esq., G. Danby-Palmer, Esq., and Mr. J. M. Bell.
Sept. 8th.—The Coronation Day was observed as a holiday.
The Races had been held on the 6th and 7th, as follows:—
“First Day—Tuesday, September 6th.
The Gold Cup Stakes of 100 sovs. (8 subscribers 10 sovs. each) with 20 sovs. added; the second horse to withdraw his stake. The winner to be sold for 400 sovs. if demanded, &c. Heats, two miles and distance.
Mr. S. Palmer named Lord Exeter’s ch m Schumla, bySelim, out of Bess, 4 years old, 8st. 1lb. (Hornsby) | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Col. Wilson’s ch h Ringleader, by Merlin, out ofSpotless, 4 years old, 8st. 4lbs. | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Lord Stradbroke’s b f by Morisco, out of Arethusa, 3years old, 6st. 11lbs. | 3 dis. | ||
A good race after the second heat. Two to one was freely betted on Ringleader; the last heat was very close, and was won by half a head. Lord Stradbroke’s filly lost her rider by a stirrup leather breaking in the second heat.
Half-Bred Stake. Heats, one mile and distance; 5 sovs. each.
| Mr. Munro’s b h Charley, aged, 11st. | 2 | 2 |
| Mr. Smith’s ch g Sportsman, aged, 11st. | 1 | 1 |
The Members’ Plate of 50 sovs. The winner to be sold for 180 sovs. if demanded, &c. Heats, two miles and distance.
Mr. Bromley’s ch m Miss Nicolo, 4 years old, 7st.13lbs. | 3 dr. | ||
Mr. Pettit’s b m Ipsala, by Sultan, 4 years old,8st. 21bs. (C. Edwards) | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Col. Wilson’s br c Whiskey, by Tuesias, out ofSchedam, 3 years old, 6st. 12lbs. | 4 | 3 dr. | |
Lord Stradbroke’s b m Gallopade, 5 years old, 8st.13lbs. | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Mr. S. Palmer’s gr m Christina, 4 years old, 8st.2lbs | 5 | 4 | 3 |
An excellent race; the heats with difficulty decided. The winner was well rode by C. Edwards.
Second Day—Wednesday, 7th September.
Town and Country Gentlemen’s Plate of 50 sovs. The winner to be sold for 250 sovs. if demanded, &c. Heats, two miles and distance.
| Mr. Pettit’s b m Ipsala, by Sultan, 4 years old, 8st. 6lbs. | 1 | 2 | 2 | (A dead heat.) |
| Col. Wilson’s ch h Ringleader, 4 years old, 8st. 9lbs. (Gosling) | 2 | 1 | 1 |
A severely contested race of four heats.
Handicap Sweepstakes of 10 sovs. each, with the remainder added. Heats, one mile and distance.
| Lord Stradbroke’s b f by Morisco, out of Arethusa, 3 years old, 7st. 2lbs | 1 w.o. |
| Mr. Pettit’s b m Ipsala, by Sultan, 4 years old, 8st. 5lb. | 2 dr. |
After the above account of sport, it is needless to say that everyone who attended the Races was delighted. The severe running on the first day prevented several of the horses starting on the second, but the four well-contested heats for the Town and Country Gentlemen’s Plate more than compensated for the deficiency in the number of horses. The ordinaries and Ball were well attended—a very liberal subscription was entered into for the Races of 1832. The Gold Cup Stakes is already filled, and the Norfolk and Suffolk Hunters’ Stake of 5 sovs. each, with 20 sovs. added, for horses not thoroughbred, which have been regularly hunted in either of the above counties, has already six subscribers. The ladies at the Ball on Tuesday evening commenced a subscription for a Ladies’ Plate of 50 sovs. for next year, which will be in addition to the two Fifty Pounds Plates usually given. Edmund Preston, Esq., is appointed one of the stewards for 1832.”
Sept. 29th.—The Reformers of Yarmouth “had an excellent meeting” at the Town-hall. Mr. Alderman Barth was in the chair, and Messrs. Clowes, S. Cobb, Shelley, Hammond, Sewell, and Munsey took part in the proceedings.
Oct. 6th.—The Mayor (John Preston, Esq.,) “celebrated his inauguration at the Town-hall on Thursday sennight by a sumptuous entertainment, which was attended by the Lord Lieutenant, Judge Alderson, Sir W. Folkes, M.P., the Hon. E. Pellew, and about 300 gentlemen of the county and town.”
Nov. 17th.—A Board of Health had been established for the better cleansing the streets and lanes, and the removal of nuisances.
The “Star” coach, when about a mile this side of Eye, was driven into by “a fellow in a drunken state,” and one of the leaders was killed on the spot.
Nov. 24th.—The dairy of John Waters, Esq., of Ormesby, had been broken into and 16 pints of butter, 14 cheeses, a fat goose, and a quantity of meat and flour stolen.
Large flocks of “Stormy Petrels” had visited our shores, and between 6 and 7 dozen of them taken alive; several “Little Auks” and “Arctic Gulls” had also been shot.
Dec. 29th.—A poor man known as “Do you know him” was insulted, by a man pulling a nightcap over his face, and at the same time informing him that he was about to be “burked,” which so much “alarmed the poor creature, that he was taken to his home in a desponding state.”