16.—This being the day of the funeral of the late King, all the shops in Norwich were closed, and almost every person appeared in deep mourning. The Mayor, members, and officials of the Corporation, wearing black scarfs over their robes, went in solemn procession to the Cathedral, where a sermon was preached by the Rev. Prebendary Thurlow. At the different churches and chapels throughout the city proper Psalms and lessons were read, and in the evening muffled peals were rung.
21.—Died in the Council Chamber at the Guildhall, Norwich, Mr. Thomas Back, aged 52. He served the office of Sheriff in 1802, was elected alderman of the Great Ward of Mancroft in 1808, and Mayor in 1809; and shortly before his death was appointed a deputy lieutenant for the county of Norfolk.
24.—Mr. Young appeared at Norwich Theatre as Othello. On subsequent evenings he sustained the characters of Brutus, The
Stranger, Sir Edward Mortimer (“The Iron Chest”), King John, Petruchio, and Coriolanus.
MARCH.
1.—A severe storm and high flood occurred in the Lynn district. A large number of vessels were stranded on the Norfolk coast.
2.—Died at Norwich, aged 85, Mr. Starling Day, who served the office of Sheriff in 1775, was elected alderman in 1777, and Mayor in 1782-1812.
6.—Miss Brunton appeared at Norwich Theatre as Rosalind. She also played the parts of Lady Contest (“The Wedding Day”), and Lady Teazle (to the Charles Surface of Mr. Brunton). In a piece, entitled “An Actress of all Work,” she sustained seven different characters.
7.—Parliament having been dissolved by proclamation on February 28th, consequent upon the death of the late King, the Norwich election was fixed for this date. The sitting representatives, Mr. William Smith and Mr. R. H. Gurney, were returned without opposition. The circumstance of a Norwich election passing off without a contest had not occurred since 1774, when Sir Harbord Harbord, Bart., and Mr. Edward Bacon were elected.
10.—Yarmouth election, which began on the 7th, concluded on this date. The result was declared as follows:—The Hon. George Anson, 753; Mr. E. E. Rumbold, 750; Lieut.-General Michel, 612; Mr. Josias H. Stracey, 612. The two first-named were elected.