24.—The 24th Regiment of Light Dragoons, commanded by General Loftus, and chiefly composed of Norfolk men enlisted in Norwich, was disbanded at Chatham. The regiment left England in 1796, and was actively employed in India, under Lord Lake, during the Marhatta campaigns, for which service, among other distinctions, it received an
honorary standard. In general orders issued on the departure of the regiment from India on October 8th, 1818, its services were very highly spoken of.
26.—A silver candelabrum, valued 200 guineas, was presented to Mr. John Patteson, at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, by members of the Norwich Fire and Life Societies, in recognition of the services rendered by him to the institutions. Mr. Patteson’s collection of pictures by English, Italian, and Flemish artists was this month sold by auction by Mr. Christie, and realised the sum of £2,349.
28.—Pitt’s birthday was celebrated by a dinner at the Assembly Rooms, Norwich. Mr. J. Patteson presided.
JUNE.
1.—Died suddenly at Yarmouth, Mr. Thomas Sutton, aged 66. He was surveyor to the Corporation of that borough, and was also surveyor of the works in connection with the erection of the Nelson monument. Mr. Sutton was on the summit of the pillar when he complained of dizziness, and instantly expired.
—Mr. John Watson, of Chapel Field, Norwich, proprietor of the Royal Ipswich Mail coach, issued the following notice:—“As I have been unexpectedly turned out of my coach office in the Angel yard, and have been the proprietor of the Ipswich mail 35 years, I trust you will continue to give that long established City Coach your accustomed protection, and I hope my residence amongst you for seventy-four years will plead so much in my favour, that you will be induced to desire your parcels for the city to be sent to the Maid’s Head, St. Simon’s, or to Mr. J. M. Murry’s, No. 9½, Davey Place.”
4.—The birthday of George III. was celebrated for the last time in Norwich, Yarmouth, Lynn, East Dereham, and other towns in the county.
5.—“Flying Actæons” were exhibited at the Prussia Gardens, Norwich, by Messrs. Brously and Stratford. “The machine consists of a chair fixed on to a four-wheeled carriage, in which the rider sits and guides the fore wheels, turning corners in a similar manner to the velocipedes. One hand only, however, is necessary, the other being at liberty to hold an umbrella. The hind wheels, which force the machine along, are put in motion with the feet of the rider by means of two foot-boards moved up and down alternately. With the assistance of the hand bars in going up steep hills this carriage will travel at the rate of eight miles an hour, and may easily be made for two persons to sit abreast. It is equally convenient for both males and females.”
9.—Mr. Kean commenced a short engagement at Norwich Theatre, during which he appeared as Brutus, Sir Giles Overreach, Rolla, and Hamlet.