8.*—“That highly esteemed performer, Mr. Vining, has formed a very advantageous engagement with the proprietor of the Bath Theatre, and will leave the Norwich company at the termination of Bury Fair.” (He was succeeded by his brother, Mr. J. Vining, who ultimately became a great favourite on the Norwich stage.)
10.—Miss Dance, of Covent Garden Theatre, appeared at Norwich Theatre in the character of Belvedera (“Venice Preserved”). Her other impersonations included Lady Teazle, Juliet, Widow Cheerly (“The Soldier’s Daughter”), Mrs. Haller, Maria (“The Citizen”), &c.
16.—Died at Downham Market, at a very advanced age, William Howlett. “He was for many years employed as a labourer on the premises of Mr. E. R. Pratt, at Ryston. About 30 years ago he sold his wife, and delivered her to the fortunate purchaser in a halter in the Market Place at Downham, with whom she has ever since lived, and it is supposed they will now marry.”
21.—At a quarterly meeting of the Corporation of Norwich, a committee was appointed to take into consideration Mr. Cubitt’s plan for connecting the city with the sea by way of Lowestoft.
26.—The foundation-stone of the Unitarian Chapel in Park Field, Diss, was laid by Mr. Meadows Taylor and Mr. Thomas Dyson.
28.—Experiments with a life-saving rocket on Tregrouse’s principle were made on Yarmouth beach by Rear-Admiral Spranger. The rocket carried a line from the ship to the shore, and running rigging was then brought into use.
OCTOBER.
4.—Died in London, aged 64, the celebrated engineer, Mr. John Rennie, who a few weeks previously had attended the opening of the Eau Brink cut.
6.*—(Advt.) “Distressing case of long imprisonment. Christopher Wood, formerly of Lynn, bricklayer, committed in 1813 to Norwich Castle for contempt of the Court of Chancery, incurred by his inability through poverty to put in an answer to a bill filed against him to foreclose a mortgage on an estate of which, unfortunately for him, he became owner. He has been in prison eight years, and has hitherto been supported by his labour beyond the prison allowance of bread, but having lately nearly lost his sight he must in future depend entirely on the latter. The expense of putting in his answer will amount to £18, and being totally unable to raise that sum must end his days in prison unless the benevolent shall extend their bounty towards him by putting in his answer to obtain his discharge, the Act for the Relief of Insolvent Debtors not extending to persons in custody for contempts.”
10.—Robert Skipper, the Norwich pedestrian, commenced the task of walking 1,000 miles in twenty successive days at the Prussia Gardens, Norwich. He had completed 100 miles on the evening of the 11th, and at the 390th mile was compelled to give up in consequence of magisterial interference.