18.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. Brightwell moved that a petition be presented to the House of Commons in favour of a national system of education. The proposed petition stated that “every individual in the country in early life, without regard to sect or party, should be afforded the opportunity of obtaining the elements of useful knowledge and an acquaintance with the sacred Scriptures.” Mr. Barwell seconded. Mr. Seppings moved, as an amendment, the insertion of the clause: “Your petitioners pray that you will not sanction any schemes of education which do not include with the daily reading of the Holy Scriptures a full measure of religious instruction based upon the Word of God, nor any general system of national education which does not secure the careful assistance and superintendence of the National Church.” The amendment was negatived, and the original motion adopted.
24.—At Norwich Theatre was performed for the first time a drama entitled, “The Siege of Lynn.” Another new piece was produced on May 31st, called “Pickwick, or the Sayings and Doings of Sam Weller.”
26.—John Folker, a mariner, who had seen much active service, died at Lynn at the age of 86. “He was the only survivor of the many Lynn seamen who fought in the memorable battle of April 12th, 1782, when the British Fleet, under the command of Sir George Bridges Rodney (afterwards Lord Rodney), engaged and defeated the French Fleet, under Count de Grasse, in the West Indies. Folker steered
Admiral Rodney’s flagship through the whole of that eventful conflict. He was buried in St. Margaret’s churchyard, and was carried to the grave by six seamen on a bier over which was the Union flag, supported by six naval warriors who had served on board the British Fleet.”
JUNE.
2.*—“It was Mr. George Borrow, formerly of this city, who was arrested in Spain for publishing the Testament in Spanish and the translation of the Gospel of St. Luke into the gipsy language, but was liberated at Sir George Villiers’ request. Count Ofalia declared that Mr. Borrow had been discharged from his confinement with unspotted honour and reputation. He, moreover, ordered the policeman on whose evidence he had been arrested to be punished, and promised the expenses should be paid by the Government.”
17.—Upwell church was opened after restoration. The Bishop of Norwich, who preached the sermon, referred to “the boundless munificence of the Rev. W. Gale Townley, through whose exertions and mainly at his expense had been produced one of the most richly ornamented edifices in the kingdom.”
19.—Pockthorpe Guild was held at Norwich. “The annual amusements took place, and the ‘Mayor,’ upon taking office, delivered an address on the green at Patteson’s Cellar House, to the effect that he would endeavour to remove the duty off tea and sugar, which was received with great cheering. The evening terminated with the accustomed sports, as climbing the greasy pole, grinning through collars, and a variety of other entertainments. The celebration of the anniversary of Pockthorpe Guild can be traced as far back as the year 1772.”
28.—The Coronation of Queen Victoria was celebrated in Norwich with great rejoicings. At half-past ten the Mayor and members of the Corporation assembled at the Free School, and proceeded thence to the Cathedral, where the sermon was preached by the Rev. Samuel Stone, the Mayor’s chaplain, from the text, “And who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther iv. 14.) The “Hallelujah Chorus” was rendered. At noon a troop of the 4th Dragoon Guards, under Major Makepeace, formed up in the Market Place “and fired a feu de joie with their pistols, and afterwards gave three cheers, flourishing their drawn swords above their heads in honour of the Queen.” The officers then retired to the Guildhall, where the Mayor, in the presence of a large company, proposed the Queen’s health. The parishioners of St. Peter Mancroft entertained, at the Corn Exchange, 750 poor persons, and similar feasts were given to the poor of other parishes. One thousand workpeople employed at the Yarn Factory dined in ten parties at ten public-houses, and formed afterwards an imposing procession, with Mr. Bignold at their head. In the evening the city was illuminated, and there was a grand display of fireworks in the Market Place. The Mayor entertained 160 guests at dinner at Chapel Field House, and the members of the Orange and Purple Club dined at the Theatre, “which, by throwing a flooring of boards from the stage over the pit, was converted into a commodious banqueting room. In the background was a drop scene, giving a view
of St. Andrew’s Hall on a banqueting day.” Mr. W. J. Utten Browne presided, and many ladies who graced the gathering by their attendance were provided with seats in the dress circle. Similar celebrations took place at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns in the county. Every village commemorated the event, “and everywhere it was a joyous day, for