18.—The Rev. Henry Bathurst, D.D., “elected Bishop of this Diocese by the Dean and Chapter.” His lordship was installed on May 10th.
23.—At a meeting at the Guildhall, Norwich, resolutions were agreed to “condemning the proposed alterations of the course of the mail coach from London to Norwich by way of Bury, from the consequent later delivery of the letters to the post-office here, and from the earlier despatch from thence, to the great inconvenience of the mercantile and trading houses of the city.” Representations to
this effect were made to the Postmaster-General, but without result. The coach started from the King’s Head, Norwich, at four o’clock, and passed through Thetford, Bury, and Newmarket. It ran every day and stopped at the Golden Cross, Charing Cross, London. Another coach, by Ipswich and Colchester, set up at the Swan with two Necks, Lad Lane.
28.—Miss Aickin, “an actress of superior talents and personal attractions,” made her first appearance at Norwich Theatre in the character of Widow Cheerly in the comedy of “The Soldier’s Daughter,” and as Aura in the farce of “The Farm House.” She played the part of Hamlet on May 4th.
30.*—“The Rev. William L. Gebbart has been elected minister of the Dutch congregation, and also appointed minister of the French church in Norwich.”
—*“It is in contemplation to establish telegraphic communication between Norwich and Yarmouth for mercantile purposes.” In October the Norwich Corporation agreed to pay £10 annually for its support.
—*“An earthen pot, containing 500 pieces of antient English silver coin, was ploughed up in a field near Aylsham. The pieces consisted chiefly of groats of Henry VII. and pennies of the Edwards. There were two gold angels of Henry VI.”
APRIL.
6.*—“A person in the country has lately been convicted, before Mr. Crowe, Mr. Astley and Mr. Norris, in the legal penalty for working and digging in his garden and openly profaning the Sabbath. It is to be hoped that his example will operate towards the discontinuance of the practice, which, perhaps, is nowhere so prevalent as in this county.”
—Leeds Mays, for horse stealing, was executed on the “new drop” on the Castle Hill, Norwich.