May 3rd. The corporation adopted a petition against the Catholic claims, the members going quite out of their way to perpetuate a great wrong.
May 31st. The anniversary of the birthday of the Rt. Hon. William Pitt was celebrated by the members of the castle corporation.
June 11th. The first stone of the new theatre was laid, and it was erected on the present site. The building is only a piece of patch-work, and has no pretensions to architectural design. It is no credit to the city in any respect. It was opened on March 27th, in the following year.
June 21st. The mayor (T. S. Day, Esq.,) was sworn into office; he afterwards gave a dinner to upwards of 460 gentlemen in St. Andrew’s Hall.
August 30th. A contest took place for freemen’s sheriff; at the close of the poll the numbers were for Mr. Brookes, 865; Alderman Springfield, 501. The former was returned.
September 1st. The corporation presented a piece of plate, of the value of 100 guineas, to William Simpson, Esq., chamberlain, in testimony of their high esteem for the ability and integrity displayed in the discharge of his official duties; and of their unanimous approbation of his long and faithful services.
November 2nd. Sir Thomas P. Hankin, Lieut. Colonel of His Majesty regiment of Royal North British Dragoons, was interred in the Cathedral with military honours.
November 21st. At a public meeting, held in St. Andrews Hall, a Society was formed for promoting the Abolition of Colonial Slavery. The late J. J. Gurney and all his family were great advocates of negro emancipation, but the diabolical injustice of slavery continued for many years to be the disgrace of England. At many meetings held in this city, the late J. J. Gurney denounced the atrocities of the slave trade, and advocated its abolition. This object was at last accomplished after a violent agitation throughout the country, at a cost of twenty millions sterling!
1826. January. This year, in consequence of the iniquitous corn laws, bread was dear, work was scarce, and the poor were destitute. Nearly £5000 was subscribed for their relief.
March. Cleansing Week ward elections passed off without opposition, except in the Wymer ward, where it was merely nominal.