31.—A fire occurred at Swanton paper mill, a great part of which was destroyed, with all the paper. The damage was estimated at £4,000.
JUNE.
1.—This day was ordered to be observed as one of general thanksgiving for the Restoration of Peace. The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended the Cathedral, and the appointed service was performed at all parish churches. At Lynn, the inhabitants, instead of having an illumination, collected £300, which was distributed amongst the poor.
21.—Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced. A new thrashing machine was exhibited. An improved drill for turnip sowing was also shown. “From the same barrel seed and oilcake manure are delivered into one tube, through which it is deposited in the earth by the same coulters.”
22.—Guild Day at Norwich. The Mayor, Sir Roger Kerrison, went to the Cathedral “in a most elegant new chariot, the colour of royal blue; the coachman and the three footmen behind had handsome new liveries, with gold-laced cocked hats and gold-headed canes.” His worship “wore a full dress coat and embroidered waistcoat.” At the Guild feast, in St. Andrew’s Hall, 800 guests were present; and at the ball given in the evening, at Chapel Field House, Mr. T. A. Kerrison and Miss Chad opened the dancing for the 450 guests.
26.*—(Advt.) “On Wednesday, the 30th inst., a main of cocks will be fought at Aylsham, between the gentlemen of Suffolk and the gentlemen of Norfolk, for ten guineas a battle and twenty the odd. Feeder for Suffolk, Nath. Rowen; ditto for Norfolk, Henry Seaman.”
JULY.
2.—Dibden gave his entertainment, “Sans Souci,” at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. The performance was repeated on the succeeding evening.
5.—Parliament having been dissolved on June 29th, the election of members for the city of Norwich took place on this day. The candidates were the Right Hon. Wm. Windham, of Felbrigg, and Mr. John Frere, of Roydon; Mr. Robert Fellowes, of Shottesham, and Mr. William Smith. At the close of the poll the numbers were:—Fellowes, 1,532; Smith, 1,439; Windham, 1,356; Frere, 1,328. There was great rioting. The chairing took place on the day following the declaration of the poll.
12.—After the lapse of 34 years, a contested election took place for the county of Norfolk. The poll opened on the 12th, and continued for eight days. The result was declared as follows:—Mr. Thomas Wm. Coke, 4,317; Sir Jacob Henry Astley, 3,612; the Hon. Col. Wodehouse, 3,517. A scrutiny was demanded by the friends of the latter and granted. It commenced on July 30th, and continued till August 28th, when Col. Wodehouse’s counsel retired from the case, and Sir J. H. Astley and Mr. Coke were declared duly elected. The expenses of the contest were estimated at £35,000, and the amount spent by the successful candidates to bring distant voters to the poll was enormous.