DECEMBER.
1.—The “extravaganzic burletta” entitled “Tom and Jerry” was produced at the Pantheon, Norwich. It was described as “an animated picture deprived through the filtering stone of the proprietor’s character and career, of all that might offend even the most fastidious imagination.”
6.—Messrs. J. and W. Wiggens advertised their Phenomena coach to run from the Angel Inn, Norwich, every morning at a quarter to six and to arrive at the Bull Inn, Aldgate, at seven o’clock the same evening.
9.—At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. J. S. Patteson), it was resolved to petition the House of Commons for the repeal of the duty on coals carried coastwise.
20.*—“The portrait of Mr. William Hankes, Mayor of Norwich in 1817, painted by Mr. Clint, has lately been placed in St. Andrew’s Hall.”
—Drake, a showman, advertised the exhibition “in a commodious theatre upon the Castle ditches, Norwich,” of a performing elephant, a boa constrictor, and a sea serpent alive, “which was discovered when they were in search of the great one, and is supposed by the most moderate calculation to measure more than 300 feet in length. It is asserted by the Linnean Society that this is of the same breed as the large one.”
30.—Some remarkable vaults—the disused workings of ancient chalk pits—were discovered on the property of Mr. Sendall, near St. Giles’ Gates, Norwich. They were 35 feet beneath the surface, and extended in various directions. The vaults were thrown open for public inspection and illuminated with coloured lamps.
1824.
JANUARY.
1.—At a public meeting, held at Calvert Street chapel, it was decided to erect a second Wesleyan Methodist chapel in Norwich. A subscription was opened, and £600 contributed. The foundation-stone of the new (Lady Lane) chapel was laid on April 14th by the Rev. William Gilpin, superintendent of the Norwich circuit; and the building was opened for worship on October 21st by the Rev. R. Newton, president of the Methodist Conference, the Rev. John Anderson, of London, and the Rev. Mr. Farrar, of Leeds.