MARCH.
2.—Smallpox was reported to be very prevalent in Norwich. Within the preceding month one hundred persons died of the disease.
5.—An alarming report was circulated about the arming of the Chartists in Norwich, where, it was stated, a club had been formed for the more extensive distribution of pikes and other weapons. “Some are formed like a common halbert, others have a crescent at the bottom and the blade pointed forward, with a sharp edge, supposed to be designed for cutting the girths or reins of horses. It is said that about 60 will leave Norwich armed with these weapons, and some of them with pistols, for the north of England.” At a meeting of the Town Council on March 11th the Mayor said, in reply to questions by Mr. Bignold, that the report had been greatly exaggerated. Pikes had been manufactured, but there was not a great number of them. Meanwhile the Chartists held meetings in Norwich
Market Place, on Mousehold Heath, and elsewhere. In August pikes and guns were taken by the police from various persons, and on the 10th of that month John Dover, the keeper of a beer shop in St. Paul’s, was apprehended on the charge of giving an order to James Tillett, a smith, to make pikes for unlawful purposes, and was bound over to appear at the Assizes. On the 14th the Chartists made a demonstration on Mousehold Heath; the police force was strengthened in consequence, special constables sworn in, and the staff of the West Norfolk Militia held in readiness for immediate action. On Sunday, the 18th, the Chartists attended the Cathedral service in a body, and were appealed to by the Bishop to take to heart the words of advice he addressed to them. On the evening of the same day they attended St. Stephen’s church and interrupted the preacher, the Rev. P. Booth, with hisses and noise. The church of SS. Simon and Jude was visited on Sunday, the 25th, and hundreds were unable to gain admission in consequence of the crowd. “A text had been sent to the Rev. John Owen by some of the Chartists, with a respectful request that he would preach from it, and the greatest order prevailed.”
8.—A heavy fall of snow took place. The Birmingham mail coach arrived in Norwich ten hours late, and on the 9th several carriers were unable to reach the city.
11.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council a petition “from certain persons, denominating themselves anglers,” was read, requesting that means should be taken to prevent the dragging of the river for fish. It was stated that fishing for smelts was at one time a source of income to many persons, several boats having earned as much as £23 a year. The petition was referred to the magistrates, who were asked to prohibit illegal fishing.
16.*—“A fine white-tailed eagle was last week shot on Beachamwell Warren. It measured between the tips of the wings 7 ft. 5 ins., and weighed 10¾ lbs. It has been preserved by the Rev. H. Dugmore, of Swaffham.”
20.—Fakenham Steeplechases took place. Among the other meetings this season were Eccles Hunt Steeplechases, March 26th; North Walsham, April 12th; and Barnham Broom, April 18th.
21.—Died at his apartments in London, Mr. Edmund Henry Barker, of Thetford. “He had rendered valuable services to literature; in early life he was an intimate and respected friend of Dr. Parr; and his labours on the Thesaurus of Stephens will remain a noble monument of his indefatigable zeal in the cause of Greek literature.” He was buried at St. Andrew’s, Holborn.
24.—Died, aged 85, Mary, wife of Captain Richard Browne, of the Cathedral precincts, Norwich, and eldest daughter of Dr. John Murray.