19.—A prize-fight took place at Thurton, between T. Riches, 11 st., and John Clarke, 15 st., for a purse of £10. The former was seconded
by Ned Painter and Loveday, and the latter by Gale and Mike Fenn. Seventy-two rounds were fought in 1 hour 26 minutes. Riches won. “Hundreds of persons from Norwich padded it through the snow to witness this exhibition of science.”
19.—Mr. Marsham Elwin resigned the chairmanship of the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, and was thanked by the magistrates for the important services he had long rendered to the county. At the April Sessions Mr. John Weyland was elected in his place.
22.—A great fall of snow occurred in the Lynn district. The London coach ran into a drift at Tottenhill. The snow was almost up to the lamp-irons, and the vehicle was hauled out by teams of agricultural horses.
25.—Miss S. Booth appeared at Norwich Theatre as Widow Cheerley (“The Soldier’s Daughter”). Her other impersonations included Little Pickle (“The Spoilt Child”), Sally Scraggs (“The Englishman in India”); Mary (“The Innkeeper’s Daughter”), Aurelia Fairlove (“The Young Widow”); Lady Elizabeth (“The Day after the Wedding”), Priscilla Tomboy (“The Romp”), and Carline (“The Noyades, or the Maid of Venice”).
FEBRUARY.
8.—The roads in various parts of the county were rendered impassable by deep snow. The Fakenham coach was three days on its journey from London.
16.—Died, Dr. Robert Gooch, of Berners Street, London, librarian to the King. Dr. Gooch, who was in his 45th year, was born at Yarmouth, and married the eldest daughter of Mr. N. Bolingbroke, of Norwich.
26.—At three o’clock in the morning, John Brooks and William Brooks, awaiting trial in Norwich Castle for a highway robbery at Middleton, attempted to escape. They were confined in Bigod’s Tower, from the summit of which William Brooks endeavoured to lower himself by means of his blanket and rug. The improvised rope gave way, and Brooks fell a distance of 70 feet. His thigh, pelvis, left arm, and the whole of the ribs on his left side were broken, and a large tumour subsequently formed at the back of his head. Notwithstanding his terrible injuries, Brooks recovered, and at the Summer Assizes at Norwich was borne into court on the back of a warder to take his trial. It was stated that he was permanently crippled and quite disabled, but Mr. Justice Parke sentenced him to transportation for life.
27.*—“Private Flood, 7th Dragoon Guard’s, who was tried by court-martial for sleeping at his post at Norwich, was sentenced to receive 300 lashes, but his Majesty was graciously pleased, in consideration of the long imprisonment he had undergone, to remit the infliction of the punishment.”