29.—Died at the residence of his son (the Rev. W. R. Crotch), at Taunton, “that eminent musician,” Dr. Crotch. He was born in Norwich in 1772, and in his twenty-second year was appointed professor of music in the University of Oxford. In 1822 he became principal of the Royal Academy of Music.
30.—Chloroform was, for the first time, used in a surgical operation at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. “A young woman had her leg amputated after having inhaled the fumes from a convenient apparatus. She became perfectly insensible to pain, and continued so throughout the operation. Her sensations were apparently of a very happy description, as she partly amused herself by singing psalms in a very clear and distinct voice, and partly by holding lively conversations with imaginary persons during the performance of this painful operation. The state of unconsciousness appeared to be more rapidly induced by the use of chloroform than is usually effected by spirits of ether. Its exhalation also was more easy and agreeable, and the duration of its influence longer.”
1848.
JANUARY.
1.—Methwold church was re-opened after restoration. “The centre of the nave has been given to the poor, and the outside aisles appropriated to the rich.”
3.—Mr. Aldridge, “the African Roscius,” appeared at Norwich Theatre in the character of Othello, and afterwards as Zanga (“The Revenge”), Fabian (“The Black Doctor”), and Bertram. He was a native of Africa, and was described as a very intelligent actor.
5.—At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, at Norwich, George Thurtell (47), horticulturist, “who appeared like a dying man,” pleaded guilty
to stealing various articles from the house of Mr. Farrer, of Sporle, where he had been entertained as a guest while engaged as a landscape gardener in laying out the grounds. The prisoner, who was a son of Mr. Alderman Thurtell, of Norwich, and brother of the notorious John Thurtell, the murderer of Mr. Wear, was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment. He died before the completion of his sentence (July 26th).
13.—The elephant belonging to Wombwell’s Menagerie died whilst being exhibited at Norwich. The animal was said to be 85 years old.
19.—Mrs. Butler, “once so celebrated as Fanny Kemble,” commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Mrs. Beverley. She appeared also as Julia (“The Hunchback”) and Pauline.