16.—At this date the following coaches ran from the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich:—To London, the Phenomena, every morning at 6.30. To Newark, the Union, every morning, except Sunday, at 7. To Birmingham, the Royal Mail, every evening at 7 (through Lynn, Spalding, &c.). To Lynn, the Day coach. To Yarmouth, coaches three times a day. To Lowestoft, the Pilot, every afternoon. To Fakenham and Wells, a coach every afternoon at 4. To Watton, the Royal George.
18.—On the occasion of the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Atkins, at the Royal Amphitheatre, Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich, was produced “a grand local historical and romantic original drama, written expressly for this entertainment by Mr. R. F. Rayner, called ‘Etheldrida, Princess of Norwich, or the Kings of Mercia and East Anglia and the Wild Woman of Mosswold Heath.’”
21.—The load of Christmas fare which left Swaffham for London on this date “did not reach the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, until half-past four on the following morning, although drawn by relays of six horses all the way from Brandon.”
25.—“For its extreme mildness and sunny brightness this was more like May Day than Christmas Day, with the thermometer at 55 and a southern breeze.”
30.*—“The town of Diss has been lighted with gas, which produces a splendid effect, and reflects great credit on Messrs. J. and T. Whaite, ironfounders, by whom it is supplied.”
1838.
JANUARY.
1.—The weather on this day was of a beautiful and spring-like character. During the remainder of the week “the moon in her first quarter and the planet Venus made the evenings most brilliant. Never in the memory of man did the old year go out or the new one come in with such splendour as the last and the present. Both days in all respects resembled April or even May much more than December or January.”
3.—A public meeting was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, “for the purpose of taking into consideration the present dreadful condition of the negroes, with the view of petitioning both Houses of Parliament for the abolition of the system of apprenticeship.” The Mayor presided, and the principal speakers were Mr. George Thompson, the eloquent advocate of the negroes’ cause, and Mr. Thomas Fowell Buxton. Similar meetings were held in various parts of the county.
5.—The new District Schools at St. Augustine’s Gates, Norwich, were opened by the Lord Bishop. They were intended to accommodate 450 children, and were supported by voluntary subscriptions.