5.—Serious acts of insubordination were committed by the inmates of Swainsthorpe Workhouse, “on the ground that they wanted more victuals.” Damage was done to the windows to the amount of £30.
14.—The use of anæsthetics—“ethereal fumes “—was introduced at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital by Dr. Hull, in the extraction of teeth. (See December 30th, 1847.)
23.—At a meeting held at the Swan Inn, Norwich, the East Norfolk and West Norfolk Agricultural Societies were amalgamated under the title of the Norfolk Agricultural Society. The first general meeting of the newly-formed society was held on the same day, when Lord Hastings was elected President. The first show took place on the Cricket Ground, Norwich, on June 18th, and for several years the exhibitions were held alternately in the city and at Swaffham.
27.—Died, aged 67, Mr. George Fisher, formerly of the Norfolk and Suffolk Company of Comedians.
31.—Died, in his 93rd year, the Rev. John Oldershaw, Archdeacon of Norfolk. He was born at Leicester, where his father practised as a surgeon, and was educated at Oakham Grammar School and at Emanuel College, Cambridge, where he proceeded B.A. in 1776, and obtained the distinguished honour of senior wrangler of his year. About this time he became private tutor to Charles Manners Sutton, who was afterwards Bishop of Norwich and Archbishop of Canterbury. He was elected a Fellow and public tutor of his College; when Sutton became Bishop of Norwich he appointed him his examining chaplain. Mr. Oldershaw married Anne, daughter of Sir John Hynde Cotton, Bart., of Maddingley, Cambridgeshire, and took up his residence at Harpley, as curate. He was presented in 1797 to the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, and was soon after nominated to the rectory of Redenhall-with-Harleston. Archdeacon Oldershaw was for many years one of the most active magistrates in the county.
FEBRUARY.
5.—At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the Mayor, it was decided to open a public subscription for the relief of the distress among the Irish peasantry, consequent upon the failure of the potato crop. For the same object collections were made in the places of worship in city and county.
6.—The warehouse in Rose Lane, Norwich, belonging to Mr. Kitten was burnt down, and its contents, consisting of barrels of grease, resin, and other inflammable materials, destroyed. Another serious fire occurred on the same premises on May 20th.
15.—The opening of the Wymondham and Dereham Railway for passenger traffic was celebrated with great festivities. Mr. Gidney, of Dereham, one of the principal promoters of the line, entertained a large company at luncheon at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, and in the evening a dinner took place at the King’s Arms Hotel, Dereham, in which town the day was observed as a general holiday. “Along the road from the station,” it was stated, “many new and handsome-looking houses have been built, far superior to any modern houses in Norwich.”
17.—Died at his residence in the Cathedral Precincts, Norwich, the Rev. Canon Edward South Thurlow, rector of Houghton le Spring, Durham. He was appointed Prebendary of Norwich in 1788.