December 17th. There was a grand entertainment at the Assembly Rooms, in honour of Lord Nelson’s glorious victory off Cape Trafalgar; more than 450 ladies and gentlemen of the city and county were present. The rooms were decorated with transparencies and brilliantly illuminated for a grand ball and supper. The victory so celebrated, and which had been won on October 21st, was dearly purchased by the death of Viscount Nelson. The last order given before the action began, was by the newly-invented telegraph:—“England expects every man to do his duty.”
1806. January 9th. This day the great bells of the several churches in the city were tolled from twelve till two o’clock, it being the day on which the remains of the immortal Lord Nelson were interred under the dome of St. Paul’s Cathedral. The body, after lying in state in the hall of Greenwich Hospital, was brought thence on January 8th by water to Whitehall stairs, and carried on a bier to the Admiralty Office, and deposited in the Captain’s room for the night. Next day the corpse was removed on a funeral car, drawn by six horses, to St. Paul’s. The Duke of York headed the procession, the grandest ever witnessed; 500 persons of distinction attended at the funeral.
February 24th. At a quarterly assembly of the corporation, a loyal address was unanimously adopted, to be presented to His Majesty, “expressive of their gratitude for the paternal affection which he has shown to his subjects, by waiving every consideration, but the public good, in the appointment of men of the first abilities in the country to the high offices of state!”
1807. March 4th. A committee of the House of Commons declared Mr. Windham and Mr. Coke not duly elected, and another election took place for two members for the county. Sir J. H. Astley, Bart., and Edward Coke, Esq., (of Derby) were returned without opposition. Mr. Windham afterwards took his seat for New Romney, and Mr. Coke was returned for Derby vice his brother, who had previously accepted the Chiltern Hundreds.
May 14th. The anniversary of the birthday of that illustrious statesman, the Right Hon. Wm. Windham, was celebrated at the Angel Inn (now Royal Hotel) by a large party of his numerous friends. William Smith, Esq., M.P., presided.
June 16th. Robert Herring, Esq., was sworn into the office of mayor of Norwich; and he afterwards gave a dinner to 150 gentlemen at Chapel-field house.
October 6th. The first meeting was held of the revived Norfolk Club at the Angel Inn, Norwich. Sir John Lombe, Bart., was in the chair. The Hon. Colonel Fitzroy, Mr. W. Smith, and Mr. Windham were also present.
1808. January. By the telegraph, orders from the Admiralty Office were received at Yarmouth, in 17 minutes. The chain of communication was by Strumpshaw, Thorpe Hills, Honingham, Carlton, and Harling, and from thence proceeded between Thetford and Bury, over Newmarket Heath to London.
Captain Manby’s invention for rescuing persons stranded on a lee shore, was approved by the Lords of the Admiralty. Parliament rewarded Captain Manby at different times with grants amounting to £6000, and adopted his apparatus at many parts of the coast.
July 29th. At a special assembly of the corporation of Norwich, an address to his majesty was agreed to unanimously, on the subject of the noble struggle of the patriots of Spain and Portugal against the Ruler of France, and of the generous aid given to their endeavours by the government.