11.—The Norwich Corn Exchange, “one of the finest edifices of its kind in Europe,” was opened to the public. “Mr. Riches, merchant, of Norwich, bought of Mr. Riches, of Thorpe, the first sample of corn (barley) in the new building, for which he gave 18s. 6d. per coomb.” A commemorative dinner was held in the Exchange on November 28th, at which Mr. T. W. Coke, M.P., presided, supported by the High Sheriff (Sir W. B. ffolkes), Lord Lyndock, Lord Neville, Lord Suffield, Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, M.P., and other prominent personages.
18.*—“The proprietors of the Norwich Cloth Establishment have taken a contract for supplying the two battalions of Portuguese troops lately formed at Plymouth out of the refugees from that distracted country with jackets and trousers. These troops are intended to accompany the young Queen of Portugal, whither she will shortly proceed to claim the Crown.”
25.*—“The portrait of Mr. Alderman Francis, painted by Lane, was hung in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, this week.”
—*“Died lately at Wimbotsham, near Downham Market, aged 52, Mr. William Henry Ware, many years composer of music, and director of the orchestra at Covent Garden Theatre, and one of the masters of the Royal Academy, Woolwich.”
29.—Died, at his son’s house, in Southampton Street, Bloomsbury, aged 79, Mr. Luke Hansard, many years printer of the Journals, private Bills, &c., of the House of Commons. “He was born at Watton, served his apprenticeship with Mr. White, printer, of Norwich, was afterwards an assistant of the late Mr. John Crouse, who originally established the Norfolk Chronicle in the year 1761, and had ever since been a much attached and valued friend of all his successors.”
NOVEMBER.
3.—The following curious incident was recorded as having taken place at Tunstead on this date. A Chelsea pensioner was about to be married to a widow, and “early in the morning the parties, accompanied by three witnesses, repaired to the cross-ways in the road a short distance from the village, where the intended bride crossed the road in puris naturalibus, and was received on the opposite side by the bridegroom, who entertains the idea that by the due performance of this ceremony he is discharged from all liability of paying the debts of the former husband.”
4.—Lord Neville, rector of Berghapton, sent a letter to the Norfolk Chronicle, denying a statement made by Mr. Cobbett, at a dinner at Maidstone, that he (Lord Neville) was “rector of a parish in Norfolk and at the same time enjoyed half-pay as a captain of Dragoons.” His lordship wrote: “I admit being rector of a parish in Norfolk, but I assure you upon my word that a considerable time before I took orders I resigned my commission, and consequently ceased from that time to enjoy either half or full pay.”
9.—The King’s letter, “authorising collections to be made for the building and enlarging of churches and chapels (instead of by briefs, as formerly),” was read in the churches in the city and county.
15.—A hamper conveyed by Messrs. Marsh and Swan’s London van from King’s Lynn, was found to contain the dead body of a young woman, supposed to have been taken from a grave at Lynn.