3.—A cricket match was played on the Norwich Ground, between eleven resident members of the Norwich Club and the Messrs. Colman (eleven brothers). In the first innings the club headed their opponents by five runs only, and in the second innings had 50 runs to get. At eight o’clock, when the wickets were drawn, they had obtained 22 runs for four wickets. Scores: The Messrs. Colman, 87-54; the Club, 92-22. Game unfinished. The following were the Colmans:—Samuel, Joseph, William, Barnard, Thomas, Jeremiah, Henry, Edward, James, Robert, and John.
4.—The great heat on this day so affected the iron Swing Bridge at Trowse as to prevent its being opened for the accommodation of the river traffic. At the magisterial proceedings which followed, it was urged in defence that the heat caused the ironwork to expand.
9.—The first direct communication from Norwich to London was made through the medium of the electric telegraph.
—An experimental trip from London to Rotterdam was made by the railway company, via Norwich and Yarmouth. The railway journey was performed in 3 hrs. 35 mins. 15 secs., and was more successful than the trip by the steamer known as the Norfolk. On the return voyage the crew were under the influence of drink, bad weather was experienced, and the vessel got out of her course. The boiler of the engine of the return train to London burst when a mile and a half from Ely, and the excursionists alighted from the carriages and walked to that city. The Norfolk afterwards plied regularly between Yarmouth and Rotterdam.
12.—Died, Charlotte Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Lewis Tonna and only daughter of the Rev. Michael Browne, Minor Canon of Norwich Cathedral. She edited “The Christian Ladies’ Magazine,” and was the author of “Letters from Ireland,” and of many religious works.
20.—Norwich Theatre was opened, under the management of Mr. Davenport, who had become lessee of the circuit, in place of Mr. Abington. He announced that “he would be able to avail himself of the occasional services of his daughter, the eminent actress.” The company included Mr. L. Melville, Mr. Henry Loraine, Mr. Cooper, Mr. Cranfield, and Mr. J. Clarence. It was said to be better than Mr. Abington’s company, but inferior to that of Mr. George Smith.
27.—A match between the Norfolk Cricket Club and Marylebone commenced at Lord’s, and finished on the 28th. Marylebone, 117-122; Norfolk, 119-32. The return match was played at Swaffham on August 10th, 11th, and 12th. Marylebone, 52-149; Norfolk, 86-82.
28.—Died, aged 49, Mr. John Hill, nearly 20 years chorus-master of the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival.
—Died at Bath, aged 58, Lieut.-Col. Richard Brunton, youngest son of Mr. John Brunton, manager of Norwich Theatre, and brother of the Dowager Countess Craven. He entered the Army young, and went through the Peninsula War. He was several times wounded, and had his lip shot away. “He was in the same battle in which several Norwich men were wounded in the leg, one of whom was Mr. R. Blake. He was also wounded at Waterloo, in defending the baggage from an
attack by the enemy. He joined his regiment (the 13th Light Dragoons) in India in 1819, and brought it home, having the command of it, about five or six years since. Whilst lying in Norwich with the regiment, in 1841 and 1842, he was universally beloved by both officers and men.” Col. Brunton married the widow of Col. Wallace, but left no family.