—The commissions for the holding of the first Lent Assizes at Norwich were opened by Mr. Baron Bolland.
21.—Selections from the oratorios of “The Creation” and “Samson” were performed at the Corn Exchange, Norwich, under the direction of Mr. Mueller. “The most remarkable feature of the evening’s performance was a violin concerto by Master David Fisher. With the exception of Paganini, Kieswelter, and Mori, no such violin-playing has been heard within our walls.”
22.—At the Norfolk Assizes, at Norwich, before Mr. Justice Bolland, Mary Wright, aged 28, was found guilty of the murder of her husband and of Richard Darby, by poisoning them at Wighton, and was sentenced to be hanged on March 25th. Pregnancy was pleaded, and a jury of matrons were empanelled, who returned a verdict adverse to the prisoner. By direction of the Court, she was examined by Messrs. Crosse, Scott, and Johnson, surgeons, upon whose certificate she was respited generally. The prisoner on July 11th gave birth to a female child, and sentence was afterwards commuted to transportation for life. The unfortunate woman died in Norwich Castle on November 1st.
28.—The 7th Hussars commenced their march from Norwich to Glasgow. The Court of Mayoralty on the 16th passed a vote of thanks to the regiment for the ready aid they had given to preserve the public peace, and expressed their approbation of the conduct of the non-commissioned officers and privates towards the inhabitants. The Hussars were replaced by the 3rd Light Dragoons.
APRIL.
1.—The Right Hon. Horatio, Earl of Orford, was elected High Steward of Great Yarmouth, in place of Viscount Exmouth, deceased.
6.—A private still was discovered in a house in St. Faith’s Lane, Norwich. Fifteen gallons of spirits recently worked off were seized. The owners of the still were fined £30 each, and in default of payment were sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.
9.—A new steam carriage of 2-horse power was exhibited on Foundry Bridge Road, Norwich. It is said to have answered the expectations of the inventor, Mr. Watts, of Rose Lane.
12.—Between 400 and 500 of the noblemen, gentlemen, and yeomanry of Norfolk dined at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in honour of Mr. Coke, upon his retirement from the representation of the county. H.R.H. the Duke of Sussex presided.
18.—A trotting match for £50 took place between Mr. Brunning’s Queen of Diamonds and Mr. Mendham’s Jack of Clubs, from Yarmouth Bridge, via Beccles to Halesworth. “The mare was driven in harness by her owner, who weighs 16 st., and the horse was ridden by Mr. Mendham (11 st.). Two miles beyond Beccles the mare gave up. The 15 miles from Yarmouth to Beccles was done in 45 minutes, and the whole 25 miles in 1 hour 33 minutes, by Jack.”