The squire’s wide hall
And the cottage small
Were full of good English cheer.”
On the 29th the Corporation of Norwich held a special meeting, and voted an address to the Queen, “after a long and angry debate, in consequence of the address containing sentiments in which the Conservative party could not concur.” The result was the framing of another address, signed by 5,000 freemen, freeholders, and citizens, praying her Majesty “to preserve inviolate the Union between Church and State.”
28.—The Norwich Race Meeting, called on this occasion the “Coronation Races,” took place on Mousehold Heath, and was attended by 30,000 spectators.
JULY.
6.—At the county magistrates’ meeting, at Norwich, a resolution was adopted for the erection of a new Shirehall at Swaffham, and at the meeting on October 9th a committee was appointed to further the scheme, which was estimated to cost £1,750. On January 4th, 1839, the justices ordered the carrying out of plans prepared by Mr. Browne, the cost not to exceed £2,141.
7.*—“A handsome boat, completely fitted out as a phaeton, has been built by Mr. Philip Neale, of St. Giles’s Gates, and is now exhibited to the public. It is built for a sporting gentleman, and is capable of containing bedding and luggage, the fore part being enclosed by hatches, and altogether of a novel description.”
11.—A meeting of Norwich camlet weavers was held at the Green Hill Gardens, for the purpose of hearing a report from the deputation sent to Yorkshire by the union to enquire into the truth of the statement of the employers with reference to the cause of the reduction of wages, namely, the great quantity of camlets manufactured in and exported from Yorkshire. It was resolved, after hearing the deputation, “that the proposed reduction was perfectly unnecessary, and that they were determined to support a strike by all legal means in their power.” The business of Mr. Robberds was obstructed by persons being prevented from taking work at reduced prices. On August 27th a number of weavers complained to the magistrates that they had been subjected to intimidation on proceeding to work at Mr. Robberds’, and on the 29th they were escorted to the factory by a large force of police. The military were held in readiness in case of disturbance. In consequence of work having been cut from the looms, the houses of all the weavers were strongly guarded.
19.—Mr. Owen, of New Lanark, expounded “his visionary projects for the new organization and classification of society,” in a series of lectures which commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on this date.
23.—A remarkable case of body-stealing came before the Norwich magistrates. Mary Maxey, the widow of John Maxey, complained that Mr. George Perowne, a veterinary surgeon, practising in the parish of All Saints, had gone to her house during her absence and removed the body of her husband, who died on July 8th. On the 12th she saw the body at Mr. Perowne’s, where the deceased had formerly worked; and on the 14th she saw it again, but the heart had been taken out and the corpse otherwise “cut and hackled.” On the 15th, accompanied by the mourners, she went to take the body away for burial, but Mr. Perowne drove them out of the yard with a gun, alleging that the corpse was his property, and that he had paid for it sixteen years previously. It was afterwards taken to the steeple of All Saints’ church, where it remained without a shroud. Mr. Perowne was too drunk to appear at court on that day, but he was apprehended, and on the 24th taken before the magistrates, to whom he stated that he had purchased the body of the deceased during his lifetime, and contended that it was his property. He had “cut it up” in the interests of science. The magistrates reminded Mr. Perowne that his practice did not require a knowledge of the anatomy of the human body, and that his premises were not licensed for anatomical studies. Mr. Perowne replied that he was a member of St. Bartholomew’s Hospital. The Bench committed him for trial at the Assizes, which were held on August 6th, before Mr. Justice Littledale, who said he understood that no bill would be presented in the case. The accused was called upon and formally discharged.
30.—Mr. Farren, of Drury Lane and Covent Garden, commenced a six nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre, as Lord Ogleby (“The Clandestine Marriage”). His other characters were Uncle Foozle, Sir Peter Teazle, Pierre Galliard (“The Soldier of 102”), Admiral Kingston (“Naval Engagements”), Robert Bramble (“The Poor Gentleman”), Odbody (“Advice Gratis”), Sir Abel Hardy (“Speed the Plough”), &c. Mr. Farren afterwards performed at Yarmouth Theatre.