29.—The annual cattle fair held at Shipdham, on St. Peter’s-day, in accordance with the terms of a charter granted by Henry III., was this year revived.
JULY.
1.—Died at his house in Surrey Street, Mr. Hammond Fisk, aged 70, Sheriff of Norwich in 1823.
11.*—“Died lately, at Keel Hall, Staffordshire, aged 78, Mr. Walter Sneyd, formerly M.P. for the borough of Castle Rising, and many years Colonel of the Stafford Militia.”
—Died at Hanworth, Mr. J. Hicks, formerly of his Majesty’s Navy, and Provost-Marshal-General of England, aged 69.
13.—A two days’ cricket match commenced on the Norwich ground, between Norfolk and Suffolk, for £50 aside. Fuller Pilch played for Suffolk, and William and Nathaniel Pilch for Norfolk. Norfolk, 53—82. Suffolk, 59—59. The return match commenced at Bury on July 23rd. Suffolk, 102—16. Norfolk, 91—26.
15.—At Norwich Quarter Sessions, Mr. William Day was elected Treasurer of the city, on the resignation of Mr. J. Patteson.
—A public dinner was given to Mr. Alderman Thurtell, by his political friends, “in testimony of their appreciation of his honourable, impartial, and upright conduct in the discharge of the duties of the office of Mayor during the past year.”
18.—Madame Vestris appeared at Norwich Theatre for the first time, in the part of Madame Germance (“Home, sweet Home”), and Justine (“The Rencontre”). She afterwards assumed the characters of Elizabeth (“Sublime and Beautiful”), Victoire (“The Invincibles”), Lady Bell (“Know your own Mind”), Apollo (burletta of “Midas”), Laura (“Sweethearts and Wives”), Phœbe (“Paul Pry”), Letitia Hardy (“The Belle’s Stratagem”), and Don Giovanni.
27.—Great discontent was manifested by the Norwich weavers. At a meeting held at the Ranelagh Gardens on this date, the operatives petitioned the Mayor to use his influence to prevent manufacturers giving out work at reduced prices to persons in the country. On September 1st the weavers stopped the carriers’ carts and searched for country-made goods. Men in disguise entered houses and took work from the looms, under pretence that it had been done below the scale prices. At a meeting at Ranelagh Gardens on October 5th, the manufacturers and operatives drew up a form of agreement, in which the prices were scheduled. At the end of the month many unemployed weavers paraded the streets, headed by a muffled drum and a shuttle bound in crope. The Court of Guardians on December 1st appointed a committee to advise as to the best means of alleviating the wants of the people. During the week commencing December 14th there were numerous meetings of operatives, and an attack was made on Mr. Athow’s house. Detachments of the 7th Dragoon Guards patrolled the streets. On December 17th a number of Norwich weavers visited Saxlingham and destroyed a great quantity of silk and materials; and in the following week several disguised men broke into the house of William Springhall, Boatswain’s Call Yard, St. Augustine’s, cut work from his looms, and shot at him with a pistol. He received severe wounds in the body, and a reward of £100 was offered by the Corporation for the apprehension of his assailants.