25.—A well-contested prize fight took place at Bessingham, between Rix and Sharpens, for £5 aside. The former beat his opponent, after fighting 78 rounds in 45 minutes.
AUGUST.
5.—A duel took place on Yarmouth Denes “between J--- B---, Esq., and W. M---, Esq., in consequence of a dispute the previous day at the Bath Rooms. Both were to fire at the same time, but on the signal being given Mr. M.’s ball did not take effect, and Mr. B.’s pistol missed fire. The seconds then interfered, and the affair was adjusted without much difficulty.”
6.—Norwich Theatre was re-opened for the Assize week. “The return of Mr. Osbaldiston gave rise to scenes of disturbance which
interrupted the progress of the performance for several evenings. A kind of set appears to have been made against him, but he has been warmly applauded by the respectable part of the audience.”
6.—The Norfolk Cricket Club played the first of a series of matches which took place during the Norwich Assize week. The annual dinner was held at the Rampant Horse Inn on the 10th, under the presidency of Lord Suffield, and in the evening a ball was given at Chapel Field Rooms. The patronesses were the Countess of Albemarle, Lady Anne Coke, Lady Stafford, Lady Suffield, the Hon. Mrs. Wodehouse, Lady Lacon, and Mrs. Gurdon. “The waltz was introduced for the first time in the course of the evening, but a very select few appeared inclined to join in that rotatory movement.”
28.—The election of freemen’s Sheriff took place at Norwich; the candidates were Alderman T. O. Springfield and Lieut. Fred White, R.N. “As soon as the polling commenced, a ticket was given by the ‘Blue and White’ party, entitling the voter who chose to accept it to half-a-crown. Nothing was given on the side of the ‘Purple and Orange,’ Lieut. White having merely come forward in consequence of a requisition sent to him by the poor freemen and signed by upwards of 300 names.” The poll was thus declared: Springfield, 1,210; White, 474. Lieut. White, in his subsequent address, wrote: “I consider my failure more honourable than to have gained the day by bribery and corruption. The 474 votes I obtained will at least rescue the character of a considerable portion of our fellow-citizens from the reproach of selling themselves to the highest bidder.”
SEPTEMBER.
5.—The first stone of the new Roman Catholic chapel in St. Giles’ parish, Norwich, was laid by the Hon. and Rev. Edward Clifford.
8.—Died, aged 74, at his house in St. Faith’s Lane, Norwich, Mr. William Herring, 32 years an alderman of the city. He was the second son of the Very Rev. William Herring, D.D., Dean of St. Asaph.