9.—At a meeting of the county magistrates, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, a letter from the Secretary of State was read on the subject of the removal of the Lent Assizes from Thetford to Norwich. It was agreed to answer the various objections it contained, and to strongly urge the removal of the Assizes.—The Grand Jury at Norwich Assizes on July 22nd made a presentment of the grievance from which the city suffered in the absence of a second gaol delivery in the course of the year.
18.*—“Died lately in London, aged 62, Mr. Henry Smith, of Ellingham Hall, who for 29 years held the situation of solicitor to the East India Dock Company, and clerk of the Drapers’ Company. Mr. Smith some time ago represented the borough of Colne in Parliament.”
25.—Between 60 and 70 friends of Mr. Cobbett dined at the Bowling Green Inn, Norwich, under the presidency of Sir Thomas Beevor. Mr. Cobbett was present, and replied to the toast of “Our Guest,” proposed by Sir Thomas.
27.—The new Theatre at Norwich was opened with the performance of “The School for Scandal” and of the farce “Youth, Love, and Folly.” The proceedings commenced with the singing of the National Anthem by the whole of the company, after which the leading actor,
Mr. Osbaldiston, delivered an address, “written by a young lady of this city for the occasion.” On the previous Saturday evening (March 25th) the patentee, Mr. Wilkins, entertained a party of 150 ladies and gentlemen in the green room of the Theatre. The High Sheriff (Col. Harvey) proposed “Success to the new Theatre,” “which the guests readily pledged in glasses of sparkling champagne,” and the evening concluded with a dance upon the stage.
APRIL.
11.—Died at her house, Rue Neuve du Luxembourg, Paris, Madame De Bardelin, wife of Monsieur le Chevalier Laget De Bardelin, Officier Supérieur, Lieutenant des Gardes du Corps du Roy. “Madame De Bardelin was well known and highly respected by many distinguished families in Norwich and Norfolk, where, when she was Miss Sutton, she resided for a considerable time.”
14.—A squadron of 1st King’s Dragoon Guards left Norwich for Leeds, and on the same day the depot of the 40th (2nd Somersetshire) Regiment of Foot arrived in the city and occupied the Cavalry Barracks.
20.—Mr. Osbaldiston took leave of the Norwich stage in the part of Virginius, and proceeded to the Haymarket Theatre, London.
30.—The large east window of Norwich Cathedral was exposed to view after restoration. “The central light formerly comprised the Transfiguration, after Raphael, painted by the lady of the late Dean Lloyd, with varnished colours, but these not having been burnt in were after a time entirely dissipated. The same subject has now been re-executed in vitrified colours from the picture by Julio Romano, in the possession of Mr. W. Wilkins. To that ingenious artist, Mr. Zobel (in the employment of Mr. Yarrington, of Norwich), we offer our congratulations on the success of his undertaking.”