—A meeting was held at the King’s Arms Inn, North Walsham, at which it was resolved to carry into immediate execution the Act of Parliament for the construction of the North Walsham and Dilham Canal.
17.—Concerts were given on the 17th and 18th at Norwich Theatre under the management of Messrs. Pettet. The performers included Signor and Madame Renzi De Begnes and Miss Paton.
20.—Signor Antonio, “generally called Il Diavolo Antonio,” commenced an engagement at the Norwich Assembly Room in an entertainment consisting of gymnastic exercises, feats of strength, juggling, and fantoccini.
—Died at his house in St. Giles’, Norwich, the Rev. Thomas Deeker, M.A., 66 years vicar of Bawdsey, Suffolk, rector of St. Simon and Jude, Norwich, perpetual curate of St. Margaret and St. Swithin, and chaplain of the county gaol.
23.—Married at Norwich, by the Rev. George Carter, M.A., Mr. James Archibald Murray, solicitor, under secretary to the Master of the Rolls, and second son of Mr. Charles Murray, of John Street, Bedford Row, London, to Elizabeth Powell, youngest daughter of Capt. R Browne, of the Precincts, Norwich Cathedral.
29.—A new Masonic Hall was “dedicated” at Yarmouth by Deputy Provincial Grand Master Ives and the officers of the Grand Lodge of the Province.
1825.
JANUARY.
1.—The “Norfolk and Suffolk Railway Company” advertised its prospectus. It was proposed to raise a capital of one million sterling in 10,000 shares of £100 each. The prospectus stated: “The trade from London to Norwich in bombazeen and crape is at once extensive and permanent, yet the conveyance of goods is dilatory, expensive, and troublesome. The mode of conveyance of fish is insufficient on the one hand, and extravagant on the other.” It was proposed to construct the railway from London to Norwich through Chelmsford and Colchester, with a branch to Harwich; to Ipswich with a branch to Bury St. Edmund’s; and to Norwich with branches to Lynn and Yarmouth. The cost of the undertaking was estimated at £980,000, and there were to be twelve country and twelve London directors. Among the former were Messrs. E. T. Booth, W. Foster, Joseph Geldart, R. Hawkes, and J. Ives, of Norwich; and Sir E. K. Lacon, of Yarmouth.
5.—At a public meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor, it was decided to establish a Mechanics’ Institution, “similar to those already formed in London.” Nearly 100 members joined at the conclusion of the meeting.