27.—A finner whale, discovered stranded upon a shoal in Lynn Roads, was secured by a boat’s crew who fastened a rope to its tail. When the tide rose the whale dragged the boat with great velocity towards the town. After a struggle of seven hours, it was landed. It measured 50 ft. in length.
—*“Her Majesty has been pleased to grant unto William Hardy Cozens, Esq., of Letheringsett, her Royal licence to take and use the surname and arms of Hardy, in addition to his present name, in compliance with a condition contained in the will of his late uncle, William Hardy, Esq., of Letheringsett Hall.”
30.—A great rowing match took place on the Yare, at Norwich, in the presence of thousands of spectators. The match, which was open to all England, was for a subscription cup or purse of £50, and was to be rowed in four-oared 36ft. boats, by amateurs. Competing crews were entered by the Leander Club, London; King’s College Club, London; the Cambridge Amateur Club, and the Norwich Amateur Club. The odds throughout were greatly in favour of the Londoners, and many heavy bets were made on Cambridge. The course, about three miles, was from stakes on Bramerton Common to a spot nearly opposite Thorpe Gardens. “The boats started two and two; the first two boats were started 100 yards apart at the same time; the winning boat of each pair had therefore to row another heat. By the casting of lots, the Leander was pitted against King’s College, and Norwich against Cambridge. The Leander had the lead of King’s College, and Cambridge the lead of Norwich.” King’s College and Norwich won the first heat—the former in 22 minutes 30 seconds, and the latter in 21 minutes 30 seconds. In the final heat Norwich beat King’s College easily. The winning crew were composed as follow:—J. Kidd, 9 st. 10 lb.; J. Wigham, 10 st. 9 lb.; W. Clabburn, 11 st. 7 lb.; T. Clabburn (stroke), 9 st. 2 lb.; F. Bolingbroke (cox.), 8 st. 11 lb. Trained by Noulton.
—The Royal squadron accompanying the Queen on her voyage to Scotland passed Yarmouth at five am. On the return of her Majesty, on the evening of September 16th, several yawls put out to sea, and the occupants were gratified with a sight of the Queen and Prince Albert on the main deck of the Trident steamer. Loud cheers were given for the Sovereign and her Consort.
SEPTEMBER.
10.—The publication of Part I. of Mr. Henry Ninham’s “Picturesque Antiquities of Norwich” was announced.
13.—The Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival commenced. Miscellaneous concerts were given at St. Andrew’s Hall on the evenings of the 13th, 14th, and 15th. The morning performances included, on the 14th, Parts II. and III. of the “Creation”; on the 15th, Parts II. and III. of “The Fall of Babylon” (composed expressly for the Festival by Spohr); and on the 16th, “Samson.” A fancy dress ball was given on the night of the 16th. The artistes engaged at the Festival were: Madame Caradori Allan, Miss Rainforth, Miss Maria B. Hawes, Miss Bassano, and Signora Pacini; Mr. Hobbs, Mr. Phillips, Mr. Balfe, Mr. Bradbury, Mr. Young, Mr. Walton, and Signor Rubini. Professor Taylor conducted. The surplus amounted to £716 15s. 2d.
—A circus company, under the management of Madame Ducrow, commenced a series of performances at Norwich Theatre. “The whole of the stage, 43 ft. square, was formed into a circus ring, decorated round with appropriate devices. The circle was rendered moveable, so that dramatic representations similar to the late Astley’s Amphitheatre were introduced.” These included “The Spanish Bullfight, or the Muleteer,” “Mazeppa,” “The Secret Mine, or the Hindoos of the Ruby Cliffs,” &c. To enable the audience to obtain a full view of the ring performances, the floor of the pit was raised.
14.—Died at Yarmouth, in his 49th year, Mr. J. B. Crome. “Besides inheriting the talents of that well-known ‘Father’ of the Norwich school of painting, he possessed literary attainments and theoretical knowledge which conferred both honour and advantage on his practical pursuits of Art.”
24.*—“The Queen has been pleased to grant unto the Rev. James Tooke Hales, of Glazenwood, in Essex, and of Thompson, in Norfolk, her Royal license and authority to assume the surname of Tooke in addition to and after that of Hales, and to bear the arms of Tooke.”