24.—Died in Norwich, Mr. James Lambe, aged 56. “He was well known to the managers of the Festivals and to many musical people as a noted and accurate copyist. His endowments were not of an ordinary kind. He was a ready versifier, with considerable humour and some share of imagination. With the works of Shakespeare, Milton, and the poets of Queen Anne’s time he was intimately acquainted. He had lived on terms of familiarity with Crabbe, to whom he had acted as amanuensis. Like many other sons of genius, he had endured the extremes of poverty; but under every privation and under many temptations he uniformly preserved his cheerfulness and his integrity. His latter years were passed in comparative comfort, through the kindness of a professional gentleman, who gave him constant employment.”
26.—North Walsham was lighted with gas for the first time, in celebration of which a band of music paraded the town and a dinner took place at the King’s Arms Inn. The gas works were erected by Mr. John Malem.
—The sloop Volharden, of Flushing, with a crew of nine hands, was brought into Yarmouth Roads by the Badger Revenue cutter, Lieut. R. Perceval, R.N., on suspicion of smuggling. Spirits in large quantities were found on board. Two of the crew were sentenced to six months’ imprisonment by the Yarmouth magistrates on December 7th. Lieut. Perceval recommended them to mercy, on the ground that they had rendered valuable assistance to the Badger when she was in difficulties, and the sentences were commuted to three months’ imprisonment.
DECEMBER.
3.—A fine specimen of the little bustard was shot in a turnip field at Old Buckenham.
—Cushing and Smith, Norwich pugilists, seconded by Cricknell and Perowne, fought 13 severe rounds on Mousehold Heath. Throughout Cushing had the advantage of his opponent, and won.
6.—The Royal Amphitheatre and Circus at the Pantheon, Ranelagh Gardens, Norwich, opened for the season, under the management of Mr. Atkins. In addition to the circus performance, equestrian spectacles, ballets, “musical soirées,” and comic pantomimes were produced.
14.—The “London Gazette” of this date contained the announcement that the 4th Royal Irish Dragoons, a portion of which regiment was then stationed in Norwich, had permission to wear upon their standards and appointments the harp, crown, and star of the most illustrious Order of St. Patrick.
18.—Died in Friar’s Street, Lynn, Mrs. Ann Larner, aged 100 years.
22.—The weight of turkeys sent by Messrs. Mack and Co.’s. van from Norwich to London on this day was 6 tons 18 cwt.; before the end of the journey the load was increased to 10 tons.