—A “farewell dejeune” was given at Cromer by Brigadier-General Sherbrooke, on his removal from the Holt district. Breakfast was served at the New Inn, and was attended, amongst others, by Col. and Mrs. Macdonald, Sir Jacob and Lady Astley, and Sir Edward and Lady Berry. Then the company adjourned to a barn, where dancing was kept up till five o’clock in the afternoon.
23.—A silver vase, which cost upwards of £700, was presented by Mr. Dusgate, in the name of the farmers of Norfolk, to Mr. T. W. Coke, “as a token of their esteem, for the liberality of his conduct as a landlord, and of their gratitude for the benefit of his example as a practical farmer and most valuable member of society.”
24.—The Mayor and magistrates of Norwich resolved to present a petition against the Corn Regulation Bill, which, however, was passed
and received the Royal assent. The Act was framed to govern the export and import of England and Scotland by one general average of each country, taking the aggregate average of the twelve maritime districts of England and four of Scotland as the rule. Exportation was prohibited when wheat was above 54s. and barley 31s. per quarter. When wheat was at or under 48s. a five shilling bounty was to be given per quarter on exportation, and when barley was at or under 28s., a bounty of 2s. 6d. a quarter. A duty of from 6d. to 2s. 6d. was to be imposed on foreign corn imported if the price was as high as 66s. or 63s.
25.—The East and West Regiments of Norfolk Militia marched from Colchester Barracks to Coxheath Camp, in Kent, which was reached on the 27th.
28.—A general meeting of Lieutenancy was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, to carry into execution an Act “for establishing and maintaining a permanent additional force for the defence of the realm, and to provide for augmenting his Majesty’s regular forces, and for the gradual reduction of the Militia of England.”
30.—At the Norfolk Assizes, held at Norwich, before Lord Chief Justice Mansfield, a prisoner, named John Heath, was charged with an offence committed at Great Melton, “but it being proved that the prisoner was both deaf and dumb by the visitation of God, the prosecution was stopped, but he was ordered to remain till the next Assizes.” (There is no further record of the case.)
Col. Bulwer, of Heydon, was this month appointed Brigadier-General in the Eastern District. On August 8th, he fixed his headquarters in Norwich, and reviewed the several corps of Volunteers in the city, and on September 1st it was announced that the general had been ordered to Liverpool, to take command of the Volunteers in that district.
AUGUST.
3.—A violent thunderstorm occurred. Several horses were killed by lightning in different parts of the county; mills and barns were damaged, and trees torn up by the roots.